India Eyes Future Growth Through Science and Technology
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday asserted that India's remarkable growth over the last decade was propelled by advancements in science and technology, and innovation, as the country gears up to unlock its full potential by 2047.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 10th India International Science Festival (IISF) in Guwahati, Assam, Singh stated that empowering youth and fostering innovations are key to achieving development goals for the nation. "India's remarkable growth story is deeply rooted in its advancements in science and technology, and innovation," he said.
Over the past decade, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has seen a profound transformation across sectors, including the rise of startups to revolutionary breakthroughs in biotechnology, space technology, and quantum science. The northeastern region, once on the periphery of development, is now showing signs of growth, embodying both economic progress and scientific innovation.
As India approaches 2047, empowering youth and fostering innovation are crucial, Singh added, highlighting initiatives like the National Research Foundation and the bioeconomy revolution driving the country towards self-reliance and global leadership. Young innovators are leading the way in these efforts, he said.
The four-day IISF is aimed at popularising science and technology across diverse communities and is expected to attract over 8,000 delegates, researchers, and scientific organisations, along with 10,000 students.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also spoke on the occasion, stressing the importance of integrating technology, resources, and capital in present times to accelerate national growth. He highlighted that technology harnessing can overcome resource limitations and reduce dependency on capital, leading to social equity, poverty alleviation, and improving living standards across sectors.
Sarma expressed gratitude to the central government for holding the IISF in Guwahati and invited 30 international scientists to attend the meet, along with top luminaries of the field. The CM also said that 1,500 students from Assam are participating in the event, which is a significant milestone.
He requested the centre to grant higher education institutions in the Northeast opportunity under the "One Nation One Subscription" scheme to leverage their potential and achieve growth. He also sought research assistance from agencies like CSIR on developing flood-resistant construction technology for Assam.
The Assam CM also requested the centre to leverage the region's strategic location to align with the Act East Policy, considering the establishment of bio-foundry and bio-manufacturing hubs in Assam. Additionally, he proposed the setting up of a Northeast institution of climate studies and adaptation to address the region's climate vulnerability and preserve indigenous knowledge.
These initiatives are part of India's vision for a futuristic growth trajectory, driven by scientific and technological advancements.