IMPHAL, March 16 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the 105th Indian Science Congress at the campus of the Manipur University, Canchipur, 5 km south of Imphal town.
The inauguration function was also attended by Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla, State Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Prof Adya Prasad Pandey.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said that the holding of the Indian Science Congress in the North East for just the second time in over a century is a testimony to the resurgent spirit of the North East.
Imphal became the second city in the North East to host the prestigious event after Shillong in 2009. Earlier the ISC � the largest gathering of Indian scientists � was scheduled at Osmania University, Hyderabad, from January 3 to 7. But it was rescheduled to March 16-20 and its venue was also moved to the Manipur University under the theme, �Reaching the Unreached through Science and Technology.�
Informing that an Ethno-Medicinal Research Centre has been set up in Manipur to undertake research on the wild herbs available in the NE region, which have unique medicinal and aromatic properties, besides setting up of State Climate Change Centres in the region, the Prime Minister said, �Our scientific achievements need to be communicated to the society. This will help inculcate scientific temper among the youth. We have to throw open our institutions and laboratories to our children.�
Urging scientists to develop a mechanism for interaction with schoolchildren, Modi appealed to all the scientists participating in the congress to spend 100 hours every year with 100 students of classes X, XI and XII to nurture young scientists.
To help address brain drain from the country, the Prime Minister�s Research Fellows� scheme has been approved of, Modi said, adding that Manipur would get the benefit out of the updated National Bamboo Mission.
In his speech, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh that holding of such a scientific extravaganza in the small State would provide �enriching knowledge and experience to students, scholars and the people of Manipur in particular. This will also give an opportunity to the outside world to see this highly promising and beautiful State.� Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan also spoke on the occasion.
