Shillong: At the inauguration of 96th Indian Science Congress, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh requested industrialists to invest in research and development and boost the demand for science and technology graduates and researchers.

Delivering his inaugural address at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), he said, "The scientific institutions must be led by creative intellectual leaders, irrespective of their age as the best science is done by young people."

Sighting the role played by public investment in nuclear energy, space and defence related industry in creating the demand for science and technology graduates as an example, Dr. Singh said a new wave of such investment from the private sector is needed so that our young people will be encouraged increasingly to seek a career in science.

Dr. Manmohan Singh commended the Minister for Science and Technology (S&T) and Earth Sciences, Mr. Kapil Sibal for making enormous contributions to advancement of S&T in the last five years.

He said there are proposals from the Ministry of Science and Technology to adopt theCancer Research Institute in Chennai, the Institute for Advanced Study in Science and the Technology (IASST) in Guwahati and the National Innovation Foundation as grantee institutions.

He observed that budget outlay for the Ministries of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences has been trebled for the last four-year period, 2004-08, relatively to the previous four-year period, 2000-04.


In his keynote address Mr. Kapil Sibal emphasised the growing demand that research should be utilitarian and result oriented. Resources should be spent on projects, which can offer quick and lasting solutions.

Expressing concern over the misuse of technology for destructive purpose, the Minister said, "The answer to the problem lies not in embracing a technology denial regime, but act in the belief that technology alone can provide answers to those who seek to misuse it."

"It is only science which will help us addressing the main challenges we face as a nation and as a planet to tackle and adapt to climate change, ensure security against international terrorism, satiate the needs of a rising population for food, water and other natural resources, and combat the impact of human diseases such as pandemic influenza, bird flu and animal diseases such as foot and mouth and blue tongue," he added.

Earlier, Dr. T. Ramasami, President of the 96th Indian Science Congress and Secretary, Department of Science and Technology welcomed the gathering. Several award winning scientists were felicitated by the Prime Minister on the occasion.

Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Donkupar Roy, Chancellor, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Professor M.G.K. Menon,Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister, Professor C.N.R. Rao, Immediate Past President of the Indian Science Congress, Prof. Ramamurthi Rallapali,the President-elect of the 9th Indian Science Congress and Chairman, ISRO, Dr. G. Madhavan Nair were among the distinguished dignitaries present on the occasion.