IMPHAL, Feb 17 � Union Minister for Health and Science and Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan has admitted that Manipur could play a key role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi�s �Make in India� initiative. Dr Vardhan said this on the sideline of the a foundation stone laying ceremony of the Technology and Skill Development Centre at the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) at Imphal today.
Stating that Manipur has enough potential, Dr Vardhan expressed the need to upgrade the science centres at the district level as well.
Stressing that the North East States needs development in certain sectors, he said that the NDA government at the Centre is committed to the welfare activities in the NE States. However, the minister did not elaborate on the sectors.
�I�ve also requested the Chief Minister for the development of the IBSD,� he said while citing the importance of establishing such institutes in the region. �We�re trying to reorient the research institutions. The scientists should think out of the box. Science without connection with people has no meaning,� he said.
The Union Health Minister, who also holds the Ministry of Earth Science portfolio, was here to inaugurate the Vigyan Sadan, a science and technology centre at the Foundation for Environment & Economic Development Services (FEEDS) campus at Hengbung, 55km north of Imphal in Senapati district on Monday, following the visits of Union Minister of Home Affairs, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industries to the State. The Vigyan Sadan was set up to promote science, technology and innovation to scale up development in the region.
After inaugurating the Vigyan Sadan, the visiting minister rushed back to Imphal to attend a reception function, followed by an interaction session with the Bharatiya Janata Party State functionaries at its State unit office in Imphal last evening.
Later, Dr Vardhan had a meeting with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at the latter�s office chamber in Imphal. The meeting was also attended by State Works Department Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh. But what has transpired during the hour-long meeting was not known immediately.
Dr Vardhan left Imphal after laying the foundation stone of the Technology and Skill Development Centre at IBSD.
