Interaction With Students at the Children Science Congress

ADDRESS

I am indeed delighted to interact with the students of various schools who have come from all over India to participate in the Children Science Congress. My greetings to all of you.

Marvels of Universe

Friends, we should note that human mind is a unique gift. You can enter into Marvels of Universe only if you have curiosity and thinking. I suggest, thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life.

1. Thinking is progress.

2. Non-thinking is stagnation to the individual, organization and the country.

3. Thinking leads to action.

4. Knowledge without action is useless and irrelevant.

5. Knowledge with action brings prosperity.

Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work. Nobel Laureate Subramaniam Chandrasekar, had a quest on why most of the stars shine and a few die, which resulted in the discovery of black hole. Today, using Chandrasekar limit we can calculate how long the sun will shine, it is estimated to be 10 billion years. Similarly, Sir CV Raman looked at the sea and the sky, and questioned why the sea should be blue? This led to the birth of Raman Effect. He found that the blue colour of the sea was due to the molecular scattering of light and was not a case of reflection of the sky in water. Albert Einstein, armed with the complexity of the universe, asked the question how the universe was born. The famous equation E=mc2 arrived, which can be used for generation of electricity, nuclear medicine and also led to nuclear devices.

Scientific Leaders

All of you know, in history, any country resolves itself initially into a few stout, earnest and knowledge giants. Particularly I took interest to study lives of three scientists, as I was interested in their scientific technological leadership qualities that focused the relationship of S&T and development of the nation. In the history of India, there may be many but I was very close to these three great personalities in one way or other. They are founders of three great institutions. I worked in two of the institutions directly and one in partnership. Dr DS Kothari, a Professor in Delhi University was an outstanding Physicist and also an Astrophysicist. He is well known for ionization of matter by pressure in cold compact objects like planets. This theory is complementary to epoch making theory of thermal ionization of his guru Dr Meghnad Saha. Dr DS Kothari set a scientific tradition in Indian defence tasks when he became Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister in 1948. The first thing he did was to establish the Defence Science Centre to do research in electronic material, nuclear medicine and ballistic science. He is considered as the architect of defence science in India. His race continued and followed up with momentum working and contributing in the areas of strategic systems, electronic warfare systems, armaments and life sciences.

Now, let me discuss about Homi Jehangir Bhabha . He did research in theoretical physics in Cambridge University. During 1930-1939, Homi Bhabha carried out research relating to cosmic radiation. In 1939, he joined Sir CV Raman in IISc Bangalore. Later, he was asked to start Tata Institute of Fundamental Research with focus on nuclear science, mathematical science and established Atomic Energy Commission in 1948. Multi centers were born with his vision in nuclear science to nuclear technology, nuclear power, nuclear devices and nuclear medicine. These scientific institutions established multi technological centers, but basic science was the vital component.

Prof Vikram Sarabhai the youngest of the three worked with Sri CV Raman in experimental cosmic ray. Prof Sarabhai established Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad with Space research as focus. In later years he become the Director of Space S&T Centre. The SSTC (1963) started with launching sounding rockets for space atmospheric research. His vision transformed into what is now the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with multiple space technology centers. These centers are responsible for development and leading to launch of PSLV in the sun synchronous orbit. And this year, you have witnessed launching of GSLV in the geo-synchronous orbit with communication satellite.

Friends now you have heard the quest of various scientific leaders leading to discovery and also seen how three scientists established the space research and space technology centers, atomic energy establishments and Defence Research and Development Organisation establishments. So you as young students should have a big mission like our great scientists and work hard with perseverance and you will succeed to become Scientists, Technologists and great leaders. When you complete your education and enter into the theatre of opportunities, you will find two areas of Science and Technology very predominantly occupying the national scene. One is to identify new water resources and its management; the other is to have a clean and renewable energy. Technologies connected with solar energy for the electricity generation and distribution will be one of the important needs. The other will be using the solar power converting seawater into potable water. There are tremendous challenges in both areas.

Creativity

Since our population is of a billion people, the society in its own way has to make innovations continuously, not only in urban areas but also in rural areas. For example, the honey bee network movement is indeed an excellent attempt. Creativity comes from beautiful minds. It can be anywhere and any part of the country. It may start from a fisherman hamlet or a farmer's household or a dairy farm or cattle breeding centre or it emanates from class rooms or labs or industries or R&D centres. Creativity has got multi dimensions like inventions, discoveries and innovations. Creativity has got an ability to imagine or invent something new by combining, changing or reapplying existing ideas. Creativity has an attitude to accept change and newness, a willingness to play with ideas and possibilities, a flexibility of outlook, the habit of enjoying the good, while looking for ways to improve it. Creativity has a process to work hard and continually to improve ideas and solutions by making gradual alterations and refinements to their works. The important aspect of creativity is: seeing the same thing as everybody else, but thinking of something different.

Innovation

Innovation is market driven. Innovation can also be making improved performance of the product/system technique by adopting a change using most alternative technologies. An innovative product makes a leap in the benefits-to-costs ratio ion some area of endeavour. Innovation is a systematic, organized, rational work - usually done in many stages like analysis, tests, experiment etc. I would like to give a few examples of innovative technologies/applications. What we see in optical communications is speed vs cost. In flexible manufacturing systems it is choice vs cost. In the web-enabled processes, it is customer satisfaction vs cost. Again in e-Mail, a message is instantly delivered in any part of the world through internet.

Competitiveness and innovation

One of the important need is to understand, where we stand in the competitive world. The indices of world competitiveness are based on the global competitiveness report prepared by the World Economic Forum. The competitiveness is defined as, 'the ability of a national economy to achieve sustained high rates of economic growth'. In that order of ranking, USA 1, Finland 2, Taiwan 3, Singapore 4, Sweden 5, France 30, Germany 14, India 48. What decides world competitiveness? It is a combination triangle consisting of progressiveness of industry, technology push and governmental de-regularisation status. All the three aspects have to work for achieving world competitiveness. In terms of overall GDP size, we are 12 in the world; in terms of per capita GDP we are 57 in the world. Is this status acceptable to us? Especially the young, I believe we should work for fourth or fifth position in terms of GDP as well as in terms of world competitiveness. This position should be reached before 2020 and we should aim for higher position in the later decades. I will share with you some ideas about the strategies and the tool to realise this status. That will pave the way for a developed India.

Building innovation systems

It is through the process of innovation that knowledge is converted into wealth and social good. Further, innovation is an important factor for the competitiveness of both service and manufacturing sectors. Innovation tends to emanate less from R&D and more from other sources, including organizational change. Hence there is an urgent need to establish an efficient innovation system in the country. Such a system would involve creation of clusters, which are networks of inter-dependent firms, knowledge producing institutions (universities, colleges/institutes, research institutes, technology providing firms), bridging institutions (e.g. think tanks, providers of technical or consultancy services) and customers linked in a value-addition creating production chain. The concept of clusters goes beyond that of a firm network, as it captures all forms of knowledge sharing and exchange. Thus an innovative system with its clusters would tap into the growing stock of global knowledge, assimilate and adapt it to local needs and finally create new knowledge and technology. For such an innovative system to succeed, the following are necessary: (a) improving inter-ministerial coordination and ensure consistency and credibility in policy formulation; and (b) introducing new mechanisms to support innovation and technology diffusion, including greater use of public/private partnership.

Indomitable Spirit

A nation is great, because how its people thing big. Particularly the young population of India, definitely have to have a big aim, small aim is a crime. I wish you all to excel in your studies and become Doctors, Engineers, Scientists and above all the best human beings with traditional value system and societal care. The challenge in the mission of the developed India calls for an important, cohesive and focused efforts of the young. For success in any mission what we need is indomitable spirit. Let us study the characteristics of indomitable spirit. It has two components. The first component is that there must be a Vision leading to higher goals of achievement. I would like to recall a couplet from Thirukkural by the Poet Saint Thiruvalluvar written 2200 years ago.

Quote:

It means that whatever may be the depth of the river or lake or pond, whatever may be the condition of the water, the lilly flower always comes out and blossoms. Similarly, if there is a definite determination to achieve a goal even if it is mountainous problems, he or she succeed. Many of us have gone through large programmes and projects. We would have experienced that success is not in sight and there are many hurdles. The same poet reminds us at this point of time through another couplet:

It means successful leaders can never be defeated by problems. They become master of the situation and defeat the problems. I consider these two Thirukkurals characterize the indomitable spirit. I am sure you all the young who have assembled here will rise to the occasion and become leaders in multiple areas. Think and practice indomitable spirit to succeed.

Power of the Ignited Minds

Dear Young Friends, When you are haunted with cultural invasions through media and elsewhere, think of you as children of civilisational bliss. We withstood multiple invasions and many dynasties ruled us. Today, India is free from invasions and is independent. We cherish the family values and spiritual life. Many developed nations are dreaming for such a full life. Our philosophy is, "Give them and go on giving".

Friends, when you hear the exaggerated turbulence in our society, have courage to feel that we are the nation of a billion people with multiple religions and languages. We are the largest democracy of continuity in this planet. No other nation has this unique strength of our experience. Spread this beautiful message everywhere.

Young friends, when you get the defeatist state of mind, you cheer, because you belong to this great nation. We are self-reliant in food production, we make our own communication satellites, and also we launch our own remote sensing satellites. When India became 'Nuclear Weapon State' and when India became a missile power, developed nations launched on us economic and technological sanctions in 1998 till date. We withstood and combated with our agricultural, technological, industrial might and above all the courage of our people. Keep this spirit and multiply with your dynamic momentum.

Young friends, when you look around the world, you get discouraged, to think that, you belong to one of the hundreds of developing nations and not belong to the so called developed 'G-8'. Think of the billion ignited Indian minds. This is the most powerful resource compared to any resource on the earth, above the earth and below the earth. Our sweat will transform developing India into a developed nation. That is the vision, INDIA MILLENNIUM MISSION 2020 - a developed India. Also, remember the famous saying of a poet, "I work, God honours me".

TEN POINT OATH

1. I will pursue my education with dedication and I will excel in it.

2. I will teach at least 10 persons to read and write who at present cannot do so.

3. I will plant at least 10 saplings and shall ensure their growth through constant care.

4. I will visit rural and urban areas and permanently wean away at least 5 persons from addiction and gambling.

5. I will constantly endeavor to remove the pain of my suffering brethren.

6. I will not support any communal or language differentiation.

7. I will be honest and set an example for others to follow.

8. I will work for becoming an enlightened citizen.

9. I will always be a friend of the mentally and physically challenged and will work hard to make them feel normal, like the rest of us.

10. I will proudly celebrate the success of my country and my people.