Minister for Science & Technology Visits CSIO, Chandigarh

Following is the text of the speech of Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences during his visit to Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh today:- 

“This day is a unique day, as we have under this roof, a distinguished gathering. An ensemble of leadership which is second to none. It gives me immense pleasure to be here and interact with all of you. CSIR is the fountain head of innovation in the country. It is a system which has energized the National Innovation System through its contributions time to time. CSIR’s contributions over the years, for each of the policy setting, the country has had put in place, have been noteworthy. The spectrum of such contributions is quite wide - from import substitution to development of specific industry segments, from strategic capacity creation in some niche segments to marching towards global leadership, and so on. 

I fondly recall what we have recently achieved. In fact, it is history made and would be cherished and remembered in times to come. That is setting up of Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). I had honour to pilot the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research Bill in the Parliament. The Bill through due process has now become the Act and the AcSIR is fully functional. The AcSIR, I am confident would emerge as a world class organization. 

For any country, Innovation is the key for the production as well as processing of knowledge. A nation’s ability to convert knowledge into wealth and social good through the process of innovation determines its future. New values could be in the form of breakthrough products or services, new strategies, new processes and new methods for organization. In India innovation process is now viewed in terms of both forward linkages and backward linkages. In this context, I see a new role for CSIR for which CSIR is already repositioned. Necessity is to walk on the path identified and so well documented in CSIR@80: Vision and Strategy 2022. We need leaders who would take responsibility and deliver. 

Our challenge is to build innovative organizations. In fact, it requires setting up of truly innovative and proactive mechanisms that will drive innovation. In our country, risk taking must become a part of the innovation policy. I am happy that CSIR has put a lot of effort towards this in last four years. We have seen results of these efforts. I am confident that much more will be visible now. I see that CSIR 12th Five Year Plan is focused completely for creating what we require for the country in times to come. I appreciate the CSIR’s innovative approach to the 12th Five Year Plan. The strategy of implementation of the plan is also unique having national focus, organization focus and leadership focus. 

CSIR was created in 1942 by our great visionary Leader Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. In the last 69 years, this organization has grown into a network of 37 research laboratories, each one of them having leading position in their area and well known both nationally and internationally. Today, this is world's largest research organization covering almost all areas of science and technology. India lives in villages. People at the base of pyramid need our help to enhance their income and remove drudgery. I am happy that CSIR-800 programme focused towards it is moving very well. We need to develop more and more technologies, products and services for people at the base of the economic pyramid. I want CSIR to contribute more and more through its knowledgebase. 

We need to create wealth from waste. I know that CSIR is working in this domain. CSIR has technology for wood without trees and has developed the technology to convert waste plastic to petrol and diesel. There is huge quantity of electronic waste also which is accumulating and this should be looked at seriously to see what valuable products we can produce from such plastic. There are many such opportunities. I request each one of you to identify such opportunities which will not only help us to get rid of the waste but also to produce materials which can be used thereby saving our precious resources, to make those materials. 

I would like to see dynamic leadership by all CSIR Directors and they should see that their lab contribute to the nation substantially”

Strengthening Indo-Tunisia Scientific Technological Collaboration Tunisian Minister Calls on Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Mr. Hedi Ben Abbes, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Government of Tunisia today called on Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Minister of State for Planning, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences in New Delhi to discuss further steps for strengthening the Indo-Tunisia scientific technological collaboration. 

A Fresh Program of Cooperation for the period of 2012-14 was signed on 19th December 2011 during the 2nd Indo-Tunisian Joint Committee on S&T. Dr. Ashwani Kumar and H.E. Mr. Hedi Ben Abbes discussed the current Program of Cooperation which provides opportunities for bilateral S&T cooperation through exchange of researchers, training of researcher in Indian laboratories, organization of workshops and joint R&D projects. 

The two countries agreed on certain specific areas of cooperation, identified for cooperation under the current Program of Cooperation. This included biotechnology, material sciences, information science (including software development), renewable energy sources, medical sciences, water technology, geospatial technolog8es and science popularization. 

During the meeting, Dr. Kumar called for further consolidation of unique partnership between the two countries. He informed Minister Abbes, that India is committed to faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth by harnessing its knowledge and potential in science and technology and that innovation is a key focus area for the government. The government proposes to enhance its total R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP to 2% by the end of 2012. Dr. Kumar informed Minister Abbes that India had expended S&T cooperation with technologically advanced countries like Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, USA, UK and Korea and also with the EU. Government has taken steps to build national capability and capacities in the area of supercomputing, open drug discovery, national geographical information systems (GIS) etc. As a result of indigenous efforts India has emerged as a country with advanced defence and strategic capabilities. 

The Tunisian Minister conveyed that his country was committed to strengthening S&T ties with India and assured of increased collaboration between S&T establishments of the two countries. 

Tusinia and India have a long standing relationship in the field of Science & Technology Bilateral collaboration in the area has been strengthened over time through the projects undertaken by the Indo-Tunisia cooperation conducted mainly under India’s Technology Diplomacy Policy. 

S&T Minister Visits King’s College London

The Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh visited King's College in London. The King's College is the 4th oldest University in UK. 

The King’s College has recently established King's India Institute, which was formally launched on the Republic Day early this year. The institute will host a number of visiting fellowships for academics and practitioners in different fields. Members of the institute are actively engaged in dialogue and debate with government, policy-makers, media and industry in India, the UK and beyond. Institute has relationships with a number of universities and research organisations in India. This includes the strategic partnership between King’s College, London and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi. The Institute will also be the location for the Tagore Centre for Global Thought, funded by the Government of India. The India Institute directs a number of research and teaching programmes including the flagship MA Modern India, PhD Contemporary India Research and other joint MA programmes. 

During his visit the Minister gave assurance for support for regular interaction with Indian policy makers, academicians and other concerned workers. He appreciated the Institute's work on History of Development of Science in Modern India and encouraged them to work with their Indian partners and to compare the progress in India with other developing economies. Shri Deshmukh also gave in principle consent to examine a proposal to establish Professor Satish Dhawan chair to study space policy research. 

Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh Addresses Indo-UK Science and innovation Council in London

The third meeting of the Indo-UK Science and Innovation Council took place in London on 18 April 2012. The meeting was led by the Ministers of the two Countries. Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences led the Indian delegation and Mr. David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science was the head of the UK delegation. 

In discussing the future of the relationship, and in particular, the direction to be taken in the period 2012-2014, both delegations agreed to focus on the following thematic priorities: 

• Sustainable energy including nuclear 
• Food production and food security
• Water supply and security
• Health and disease
• Advanced manufacturing
• Innovation including social impact and intellectual property
• Research and science policy

Some key collaborations were identified including: 

a. Between DST and EPSRC in Applied Maths
b. Between DST /and EPSRC in Smart Grids
c. Between BBSRC and DBT in Sustainable Crop Production research for International Development (SCPRID) including, Bioenergy, Livestock Health and Crop Science

d. Between DST and the Royal Society - Networking Schemes: India – UK Scientific Seminars

e. Continued joint work to develop an Intellectual Property management guide to facilitate timely consideration of IP management issues in research collaborations. 

Both counties agreed that innovation and translation of research are key policy challenges and this was reflected in the discussion and in new agreements to work closely. In addition, it was agreed that initiatives are needed that will help innovative businesses and academia in India and the UK to collaborate: 

a. The UK Technology Strategy Board (TSB) working with UK Trade & Investment will expand its successful Entrepreneurs missions with the first mission to India – Bangalore - in the area of web technologies. 
b. The UK Technology Strategy Board will explore an international version of the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships scheme with India. 
c. The Technology Strategy Board will explore the development of joint programmes with the Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA). 
d. The UK Technology Strategy Board will explore establishing links with the Technology Development Board India.

India and UK agreed to explore opportunities to work together on innovation metrics, interaction with SMEs, innovation collaboration, young researchers networking, virtual network centres and diversity and equality issues in science. 

Both sides have also agreed to further discussion in the areas of cybersecurity, supercomputing, biological information research resources and knowledge sharing; electronic systems engineering design, applied mathematics, fluid dynamics in applied mathematics and earth sciences, particle physics, monsoon modelling and quality of engineering education. 

NAE Silver Jubilee Inaugural Function DST Secretary calls for Quality in Engineering Education

Dr. T Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, during his address at the silver jubilee function of The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), stressed that there is a need to enhance the quality of engineering education in the country. He brought out that though the number of engineering graduates have increased substantially in the past twenty five years, there is a need to improve the quality of engineering education. The Academy should play an important role in this area. 

The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), founded in 1987, elects most distinguished engineers, engineer-scientists and technologists covering the entire spectrum of engineering disciplines as Fellows from India and world. The Academy was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi in 1987. INAE has been headed in the past by distinguished engineers such as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Prof. P Rama Rao, Prof. PV Indiresan and Dr. K Kasturirangan. 

INAE functions as an apex body and promotes the practice of engineering & technology and the related sciences for their application to solving problems of national importance. The Academy provides a forum for futuristic planning for country’s development requiring engineering and technological inputs and brings together specialists from such fields as may be necessary for comprehensive solutions to the needs of the country. Presently INAE has 685 Fellows from India and 54 Foreign Fellows on its rolls identified in ten Engineering Sections. 

On completion of 25 years of its existence, INAE Silver Jubilee Inaugural Function was organized on April 20, 2012, at Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Auditorium, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi. Dr. R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India was the Chief Guest. A few of the features of this event were: Release of a coffee table book on “Glimpses of Indian Engineering Achievements”; Release of the latest INAE Study Reports on “Technologies for Healthcare Sector in India”; “Assessment of Civil Engineering Inputs for Infrastructural Development” and “Water Resource Management”; Release of INAE video film on Engineering Excellence in India, Release of Special Cover; Presentation of Silver Jubilee Young Engineer Awards; INAE Silver Jubilee Distinguished Lectures by Prof. P Rama Rao, Dr. Anil Kakodkar and Dr. Baba N Kalyani. 

During his address, Dr. Baldev Raj, President, INAE mentioned that the Academy has recently brought out comprehensive and exhaustive Reports covering review of national and international technological and commercial aspects, in the selected areas of national interest, viz., healthcare technologies, civil infrastructure and water resources management. The Academy has also set-up three Forums, viz, INAE Forum on Engineering Education, INAE Forum on Microelectronics and INAE Forum on Energy. One of the focus areas of the Academy is to find innovative mechanisms to increase synergy among the fellows and nurture young leaders capable of meeting the challenges in future and be effective with policy makers to realise paradigm changes to solve the challenges in an inclusive fashion. 

Prof. René Dändliker, President, International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences, Inc. (CAETS) during his address mentioned that the primary objective of CAETS is to provide an independent nonpolitical and non-governmental international organization of engineering and technological sciences academies, prepared to advise governments and international organizations on technical and policy issues related to its areas of expertise; contribute to the strengthening of engineering and technological activities in order to promote sustainable economic growth and social welfare throughout the world. He further brought out that during CAETS Annual Meeting and Symposium on August 29-31, 2012 at Zurich, the topics of discussion will be Nuclear Power: National Plans and Attitudes; Promoting Engineering-based Innovation; and Developing Regional Strategies for Adaption to the Effects of Climate Change. 

Dr. R Chidambaram brought that Scientists create Ideas which are converted into products by the Engineers. He emphasized that the wealth of the nation depends on innovative technologies. He mentioned that India, through its Universities, Research Institutions, S&T Departments, including Mission-oriented Agencies (Atomic Energy, Space, Defence Research) has laid a strong foundation for Basic Research as well as Applied Research and Technology Development. For industrial development, we need in-house R&D centres in industry and enhanced academia-industry interactions, and for rural development, we need improved mechanisms for rural technology delivery. These are rapidly growing in India now. 

During this function, Silver Jubilee Distinguished Lecturers were delivered by Prof. P Rama Rao, Chairman, Governing Council, ARCI Hyderabad and former Secretary, Dept of Science & Technology, Govt. of India; Dr. Anil Kakodkar, DAE Homi Bhabha Chair, former Chairman, AEC and Secretary, DAE, Govt. of India; and Dr. Baba N Kalyani, CMD, Bharat Forge Ltd., Pune. 

Prof. P Rama Rao brought out that wealth and prosperity of the nation The wealth and prosperity of a nation depend on the effective utilisation of its human and material resources through industrialisation (investment capital). The use of human material for industrialisation demands its education in science and training in technical skills. He mentioned that India being a vast country, diversity of governance systems is truly mind-boggling and unlike in any other country in the world. Govt support to private institutions should be seriously considered. Prof. P Rama Rao correlated economic growth with relevant post-graduate and doctoral specialization. 

Distinguished Lecture delivered by Dr. Anil Kakodkar was on the subject securing the future of energy in India. He mentioned that the securing India’s future is indeed a major challenge as India alone would need around 40% of present global electricity generation to be added to reach an average 5000 kWh per capita electricity generation. While solar energy represents a large enough energy source provided we can arrange adequate collection area and would take a while to become commercially viable, nuclear energy is the only other large enough clean and sustainable energy source. He highlighted the importance of recycling and Thorium utilization. It is commercially viable and has been providing around a sixth of global electricity for decades. Also it does not emit carbon-di-oxide. However, our uranium resources are very modes. 

Dr. Baba N Kalyani during his Distinguished Lecture mentioned that while China would be second largest economy in the world, India will be third largest economy. There is a dire need for Indian Industry to invest in R&D rather than importing technologies from abroad. For this, the need for indigenous manufacturing technology is vital. He mentioned that Advanced economies (OECD-G7) and Emerging economies are on diverging trajectories. Emerging countries generally have favourable demographics (except China), Govt. debt under 70% of GDP, and prospects of modest to high GDP growth. The world’s economic centre of gravity will shift towards emerging countries in the years to come. He highlighted the importance of high level human expertise, proper policies and need based products. The function was also attended and briefly addressed by the participating Presidents/representatives of the member-academies of International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS). Presidents of Australian Academy, Swiss Academy, Chinese Academy, Netherlands and Finland during their addressed emphasized on the collaboration and activities of mutual interest with INAE.