IISF begins in Kolkata: Scientists have responsibility towards future, long-term solutions needed, says PM Modi

“We must strive to create a robust and strong ecosystem for doing scientific research in the country… it must not only be effective but also inspiring for multiple generations to come. The responsibility upon the scientific community will be greater as they will have to keep alive humanity,” the Prime Minister said.

Calling modern lifestyle “superfast”, Modi urged Indian scientists to plan and take up research whose results will offer long-term solutions to problems plaguing society. While one can expect noodles to be cooked within two minutes and pizzas delivered home within 30, scientific discovery cannot be expected from scientists at the same speed, Modi said.

Citing the example of Chandrayaan-2, whose lander Vikram failed to make a soft landing on the Moon’s surface in August, the Prime Minister said, “The mission must be considered successful as it could kindle curiosity among young minds who, soon after, were engaged in various discussions about the Moon like never before.”

Saying that more efforts were needed in the scientific sphere, PM Modi said that mankind has expanded the scope of necessities and more inventions were thus the need of the hour.

During his address, the Prime Minister also called upon everyone to consider it a responsibility to create a scientific temper among new generations and raise awareness about the benefits of science.

It was only the “fear of the unknown” that inspired scientists to experiment, the Prime Minister said. “So even if one faces failures while pursuing research, it must be considered as valuable efforts and experiments must be continued,” Modi said.

“The ecosystem for science and technology must be very strong. It is our attempt to introduce students to Atal Tinkering Labs from Class 6. More than 5,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been formed… over 200 Atal Incubation Centres have been created. Our students should solve the nation’s challenges in their own way, and thus, we have provided them the opportunities to participate in several hackathons,” the Prime Minister said.

Talking about the Global Innovation Index, Modi said, “In the last three years, we have jumped from 81st to 52nd rank on the Global Innovation Index through these initiatives. Today, India is the world’s third-best start-up ecosystem. Unprecedented work is being done for higher education and innovation. With ENS inputs from Kolkata

1,598 students attend lecture at IISF, create record

Kolkata: In a first, a class of 1,598 students attended a lecture on astrophysics in Kolkata on Tuesday to set a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records. The attempt, successfully completed at Science City, was part of the fifth edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF). —ENS