PANJIM: Union Minister for AYUSH, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday highlighted the rapid growth of science and technology and stressed upon the need to realise our potential through science and technology and strengthen the country.
Sonowal was speaking at the inauguration of the seventh edition of India International Science festival (IISF-2021) in Panjim.
Union Minister of State (independent charge) Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Secretary (Ministry of Earth Sciences) Dr M Ravichandran, Vijnana Bharati president Dr Vijay Bhatkar and senior scientists and officials were present.
The theme of four-day IISF 2021 is ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’- “Celebrating Creativity, Science, Technology and Innovation for a prosperous India”.
Speaking further, Sonowal lauded the role of Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh in promoting science and technology in India, especially among the student community. He also lauded the role of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in bringing fast growth to Goa.
Speaking on the growing popularity of AYUSH globally, Sonowal said scientists are doing new studies to validate India’s age-old traditional systems of medicine. Today, AYUSH has captured a global market worth of more than 18 billion dollars.
The Union Minister added that the government is taking various steps to explore the resources in the seas. Along with scientific growth, we also have to pledge to make a pollution-free India, he said.
Singh said advances in Science and Technology will propel India as a frontline country in the world, in the years to come. He said the main aim of the Science Festival is to bring into use the innovations by the people and develop technology that is affordable to the masses. India is celebrating the 75th year of its Independence and it is time to lay down the road map of scientific progress for the next 25 years, when India celebrates the centenary of Independence, he added.
Singh exhorted the youth to join the “Vigyan Utsav” and take the lead through Innovative start-ups to make India a five trillion dollar economy by 2024-2025.
