Govt to increase its expenditure on R&D from 1% of GDP to 2%: Prtihviraj Chavan |
Friday, 08 January 2010 |
New Delhi: We know that the next wealth generation and employment generation opportunity will come from science. Therefore the Government plans to increase its expenditure on R&D from 1% of GDP to 2%, said Dr Prithviraj Chavan, Minister for Science & Technology.
He was speaking at the Inaugural Session of the Seminar on “Nanotechnology”, a precursor to the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas organized by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs jointly with Confederation of Indian Industry and the Government of NCT of Delhi.
Highlighting that the Prime Minister had recently termed the current decade as the decade of innovation, Dr Chavan added that the Government of India will focus its Research & Development efforts in the current decade on translating lab research into product and process innovations that benefit the masses
The Minister added that the challenges of Science & Technology are much tougher in the 21st century as we have to find solutions to the problems of the people. Dr Chavan outlined the five key challenges of Science and Technology to include energy security, food security, water availability & quality, affordable healthcare for all and terrorism and internal security.
The Minister, emphasizing the importance of channelizing young and fresh talent to science & technology, said “If India has to become a major power, it is the manpower that can make it so.”
Congratulating CII on its efforts in engaging the industry in research & development, the Minister said “as of now 75% of the R&D spending comes from Public Funded Institutions. This needs to change.”
Dr Chavan urged the Indian diaspora to work with the governments in their adopted countries and the Indian industry and government to collaboratively find solutions using science and technology. The recommendations from the day long Seminar on Nanotechnology will enable the government and industry to engage with the NRI’s and PIOs and identify key areas of interest for investment, research and infrastructure development.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ajay K Sood of IISc Bangalore, highlighted the many initiatives of the Government of India in the area of Nanotechnology. “There are excitements and challenges in Nano Technology. Nano science is thriving, making new discoveries and creating exciting challenges.” We must realize that nano is an enabling technology and must coexist with the existing technology added Prof Sood.
Highlighting that the government had spent about Rs. 300 million per annum in the area of nano, Prof Sood said that “In India nano technology is a government led initiative as it is in its embryonic stage”.
Welcoming the delegates to the 8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Mr Deep Kapuria, Chairman, CII National Committee on Robotics urged the Indian Diaspora to look at India differently, synergise their efforts to aid India’s development by coming up with all pervasive technology. |