science

Development of science, tech to accelerate India’s dev: Gadkari


Describing India International Science Festival (IISF) as the biggest event of its kind in the world, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation,

Nitin Gadkari, said that it was the manifestation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of new and modern India.

Delivering the valedictory address on the concluding day, Gadkari said in Lucknow on Monday that development of science and technology would strengthen and accelerate the process of country’s development. 

Gadkari said that agriculture and rural development were big challenges before India and for this, the Prime Minister had launched schemes like Digital India, Smart Village and Smart City besides construction of toilets to bring behavioural change among the masses vis-à-vis sanitation.

He felt that application of science would transform agriculture and rural development.

Referring to migration of rural population to cities, Gadkari said that the root cause was the lack of resources and technology for agricultural inputs like irrigation, seeds, fertiliser, and lack of organic farming.

“We can meet this challenge with science and technology,” he said

The Union minister said that with new technology, wealth could be created from waste and garbage which could create avenues of employment.

“By promoting crop like jatropha, additional sources of employment can be created in rural and tribal areas,” he said.

Focusing on Uttar Pradesh, Gadkari said the state had huge potential for production of bio-ethanol as it had the infrastructure of over 150 sugar mills. 

“Bio-ethanol can be produced from molasses produced by sugar mills and this could fuel 10,000 buses. Developing alternative fuel source is a big challenge before science,” the Union minister said.

On this occasion, Gadkari also inaugurated Science India web portal where students can post their ideas, queries and articles.

Earlier, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Harshvardhan said that large number of scientists and students had ensured success of the festival with their participation.  “The need of the hour is that benefit of research and development in science reaches the last man on the ladder,” he said.

More than 8,000 delegates across the country participated in the fourth edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) which began on October 5 and was organised in UP for the first time. 

About 800 women scientists and entrepreneurs participated in the IISF outreach programmes held in 77 cities across the country where 5,000 to 15,000 children and scientists participated.



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