Speech by Hon'ble President of India, Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil, at the Concluding Function of the Platinum Jubilee of the Indian National Science Academy at Kolkata

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very happy to be here in Kolkata to attend the concluding function of the Platinum Jubilee Year of the Indian National Science Academy. The Academy was established in Kolkata and later moved to New Delhi. It is, therefore, befitting that an event linked with the founding of the Indian National Science Academy is being held in the metropolis, where it was first set up. Anniversaries and Jubilee celebrations of institutions also give an opportunity to recall their beginnings and those associated with it. It is also heartening to note that scientists from about thirty countries are participating in the Platinum Jubilee function of Indian National Science Academy. Professor Meghnad Saha studied as well as taught in Kolkata and was not only a great scientist, but a great human being as well. He was the President of the Indian National Science Academy during its initial years. It is, therefore, very special to be at the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, an institute named after him, to mark the 75 years of the Indian National Science Academy.

As a premier scientific society, the Indian National Science Academy since its inception, has been promoting and recognizing outstanding contributions in the field of science and nurturing young scientific talent through its various programmes and activities.

Since ancient times, pursuit of knowledge has been respected in our country and there existed a flourishing tradition of scientific endeavour, which covered almost all major areas of human knowledge and activities. These included mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, medical science and surgery, civil engineering and architecture. Urban settlements of Harappa tell of the existence of civil engineering and architecture; it was in India that the concept of zero as a number was developed; a compendium was made on medical principles and practices in the form of the treatise Charaka-Samahita; advances were also made in metallurgy. We are heirs to this great tradition of learning, which should inspire us to be worthy inheritors.

Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, had the vision and the will to see that the deep respect for knowledge in our society and the quest for scientific inquiry could be used for building a new India. The creation of an educational, research and technological base was, thus, as an intrinsic aspect of national reconstruction, as we embarked on our journey as a free nation. This was the philosophy behind the foundation of a number of Science and Technology institutions across the country. The Indian National Science Academy is one of those institutions with which Pandit Nehru was personally associated with. He saw the Academy as a major accelerating factor in the growth of Indian science. Under its very illustrious Presidents, who were brilliant minds and pioneers in their fields, the Academy has contributed immensely to the progress the country has made.

Our growth has been propelled by, as also accompanied by advances in Research and Development. The energy, creativity and innovation of our scientists have contributed to enhancing our agricultural production, increasing the range and the quality of goods produced by our manufacturers, as well as raising the efficiency of our service sector. Our scientists been instrumental in the significant advances we have made in the fields of nuclear and space science as also for our rapid strides in Information Technology, Bio-Technology and other frontline technologies. We now have researchers and scientists, though their numbers need to be increased, who are well acquainted with the most modern advances in basic and applied areas. They have the knowledge base to undertake research in technologies required for the advancement of the nation. This is our strength as we build our nation and as we engage with the world.

The quest for knowledge, however, is unending and research for new discoveries must continue, as we cope with change and new challenges which the world is facing today. This also becomes all the more important as the world is moving forward rapidly and decisively into an era where societies and economies are incrementally based on knowledge. The importance of nations in the 21st Century shall be judged not by their economic strength alone, but also by their power to conceptualize inventions and bring their benefits to people. A larger pool of world-class scientific human resources that is striving to expand the frontiers of human knowledge, will give any society a strategic resource for its future. For this, an education system which encourages the study of science among the younger generation is extremely important. Understanding this, India has launched its "second wave" of investment in higher education. We are improving and expanding educational facilities and setting up more institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Science and Central Universities. We seek to enhance the number of people with higher education and to better their competence. In our academic institutions, a spirit of inquiry can keep the flame of knowledge burning.

Science is an objective subject and it can grow when scientists seek truth in an objective way. It will be hard work and dedication, and above all, application of mind and innovative thinking that will be the anchors of scientists exploring new areas and new methodologies. As Carl Sagan, the famous scientist said once, "Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere." Our people have, time and again, in different parts of the world and in varied disciplines shown their ability to continue to innovate and invent. We have many examples of how Indians doing research have been applauded and have received accolades from the global community for their outstanding work. I am also impressed with the ingenuity of our people on the ground level. Recently, at a function to present the National Grassroots Innovations Awards, I saw some of the works on display which are practical devices for dealing with the most pressing problems facing our people in their everyday lives - like air conditioning in earthen fridges, scooters running on flow of air. Such people deserve encouragement, support and guidance. I call on scientists and the Indian National Science Academy to look at ways of interacting with these innovators, who will greatly benefit from these exchanges.

I am confident that India will make much progress in Science and Technology. But this alone will not do. For a force multiplier effect, benefits must accrue to our people in our villages and in our cities. A store of scientific knowledge can only be useful when it is used for the betterment of the life of the people in their daily life. What can our scientific fraternity do to help in this?

Science and Technology have freed humanity from many of its burdens and given us new perspectives. It has changed the world we are living in as well as the way we think of ourselves and of the world. Even the conception of time and space has changed. Vast options are open to us to explore new frontiers and apply our knowledge for the betterment of humanity.

Science and Technology has a vital role in finding solutions for a wide range of human activity. Its contribution to deal with the issues of the day namely water and food security, energy security, prevention of disease and medical discoveries is enormous. Natural resources are infinite and, in some cases, these are already being over-utilized. Yet, there will be larger demands for these resources as population and requirements increase. It is only with more efficient ways of production and with new options made available by Science and Technology, that will nations be able to meet the requirements of food, water, energy, and housing, among others. Scientists are also human beings and hence deeply involved in issues of survival and of excellence of human spirit. As leading scientists, I am sure all of you present here would be looking into the question of human existentialism. I will be visiting the Structural Genomics Laboratory as well as the Physics Laboratory of the institution. I am confident that it is work done in laboratories like this that many solutions for the welfare of humanity will be found. I end with words of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who said "I believe that the world will ultimately be saved, if it is to be saved, by the methods and approach of science". I think this is a very big complement for all scientists in general.

With these words, I would like to thank the Indian National Science Academy once again for inviting me to participate in the concluding function of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. I wish the INSA and its members all the best and also wish you success in your work, which shall be, I am sure, challenging in the years to come.

Thank you.  
JAI HIND