PM: Liberate science from bureaucratism

Referring to Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan’s recent comments that Indian scientists needed greater autonomy,Singh said red tape,political interference and lack of proper recognition of good work had contributed to “a regression in Indian science in some sectors” from the days of C V Raman,Meghnad Saha,J C Bose,Homi Bhabha,Vikram Sarabhai,Satish Dhawan and other pioneers of Indian science.

The Prime Minister said scientific institutions should introspect and put in place mechanisms for greater autonomy,which would help improve their standards.

He also said that efforts should be made to encourage Indian scientists working abroad to return. Our science establishments should build global alliances that would expose our scientists to the best in the world and enhance our competitiveness,said Singh.

Admitting that only “limited progress” was made at last month’s conference on climate change in Copenhagen,Singh said that no one was satisfied with the outcome of the conference.

He,however,said there was “no escaping the truth that all nations need to follow an energy efficient development path” and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Singh said countries across the world were devising strategies to adapt to climate change and India “needs to plan ahead” to become a leader in developing technologies to limit the damage from climate change.”All over the world,countries are chalking out strategies to achieve greater energy efficiency and shift to renewable sources of energy. They are also chalking out strategies for adapting to such climate change as is inevitable. India must not lag behind in these areas. Indeed,we should plan to be among leaders in the development of science and technology related to mitigation and also adaptation to climate change,” the Prime Minister said.

Singh said the country faced new challenges of climate change and management of water resources,“even as the old issues of food security and disease control remained unsolved”.

Saying that renewable and clean energy would have “bigger roles in future”,Singh stressed the need for increasing considerably the nuclear and solar energy supplies.

Singh said managing water resources was very important given the fact that per capita availability of water was fast declining. To mitigate problems,Ministry of Science and Technology had initiated Technology Mission for Winning,Augmentation and Renovation (WAR) of water,the prime minister said.

Kerala Governor R S Gavai,Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and union ministers Prithviraj Chavan,Vayalar Ravi and Shashi Tharoor attended the inaugural session of the five-day event. Around 5,000 delegates from across the country are attending the event.