Innovate, patent, produce, prosper: Modi at Indian Science Congress

“We need innovation for the people and by the people in the direction of new India,” he added.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s science congress — ‘Rural Development’ — Modi said, “in the last five years, ordinary people have experienced rural development; from Swachh Bharat to Ayushman Bharat.”

“The coming decade will be a decisive one for science and tech-enabled governance, especially in the fields of cost-effective agriculture and farm-to-consumer supply chain…” he added.

The PM also urged scientists to come up with solutions to pressing problems in the country.

“It is your responsibilty to find cheap and effective technology for reuse and recycling of water. In one way, water governance is a new frontier for you…We need you to come up with new alternatives to single-use plastic. The alternative will come from your labs. For the development of a green, circular and sustainable economy in villages, there is a lot of opportunity for startups,” he pointed out.