GULBARGA: Former Vice-Chancellor of Kuvempu University S.P. Hiremath has said that the rapid strides made in the field of science and technology and in emerging areas such as biotechnology and nanotechnology have made India one of the fastest developing countries in the world.

Delivering the Dr. H.V. Ganganna Memorial Endowment Lecture at Gulbarga University here, Mr. Hiremath said it was owing to the visionary policies of the former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and the contribution of leading scientists that the country had emerged as one of the leaders in the fields of science and technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

He said that even before the country got Independence, Nehru had sought to lead independent India on the path of development of science and technology and had established many research institutes, including the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), as well as research laboratories throughout the country.

Mr. Hiremath said that Nehru's dream of developing science and technology in the country with a view to gaining recognition for the country in the field had been achieved by young scientists.

He said Indira Gandhi's announcement of a National Technology Policy when she was Prime Minister had been an important milestone in the continued effort to develop science and technology and had helped create a network of laboratories throughout the country.

Mr. Hiremath said that scientists such as Homi Baba, who had been a pioneer in the field of atomic research, and Vikram Sarabhai, who was considered as the father of space research in the country, had made the country proud by their work. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with his research on missile technology had also contributed to the development of science and technology.

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He said that full credit for the development of ICT should go to Sam Patroda, who had been responsible for improving the entire communication system in India.

Mr. Hiremath also acknowledged the contribution of agricultural scientist and father of the Green Revolution in India M.S. Swaminathan, who had helped the country become self-sufficient in the production of foodgrains.

Gulbarga University Vice-Chancellor B.G. Mulimani presided over the function. Register of Evaluation D.B. Nayak welcomed the gathering.

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