PM Modi to scientists: Extend research from labs to land

TIL Desk/National/Imphal/ Prime Minister Narendra Modi today exhorted scientists to extend their research from “the labs to the land” for the greater benefit of the people and said time was ripe to redefine R&D’ as research for development of the nation.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 105th Indian Science Congress here, he said India has a rich tradition and a long history of both discovery and use of science and technology.

“It is time to reclaim our rightful place among the front-line nations in this field,” he said, calling upon the scientific community to extend its research from “the labs to the land”.

Modi said the country has to be “future ready” in implementing technologies vital for the growth and prosperity of the nation. “Technology will allow far greater penetration of services such as education, health care and banking to our citizens,” he said.

There is need, the prime minister said, to communicate our scientific achievements to society. This, he said, will help inculcate scientific temper among the youth.

“We have to throw open our institutions and laboratories to our children. I call upon scientists to develop a mechanism for interaction with school-children,” he said.