The Hindu : Front Page : PM wants pace of developing scientific knowledge quickened

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Wednesday, Oct 20, 2010
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PM wants pace of developing scientific knowledge quickened

Special Correspondent

PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presents a gold medal for lifetime achievement to statistician C.R. Rao (left) in Hyderabad on Tuesday. At right is C.N.R. Rao, National Research Professor and Honorary President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore.

HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called for quickening the pace of developing scientific knowledge and application relevant to the needs of developing countries, while cautioning against the development path followed by the industrialised nations.

Inaugurating the 21 {+s} {+t} general meeting of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) here on Tuesday, he said the challenges that the developing countries faced were similar, whether in combating tropical diseases or transforming agriculture or tackling natural disasters. “These problems of under-development do not receive adequate attention in the advanced industrialised countries. Nor should we expect others to solve our problems for us.”

He said: “We have seen how the path of development followed by the industrialised countries has the potential to threaten our existence and way of life. I have, therefore, wondered whether there is an alternative and more sustainable way of developing our societies and economies without injuring and destroying the bounty of Mother Earth.”

Referring to the shortage of skilled manpower and research facilities in the developing world, Dr. Singh underlined the importance of collaboration among scientific communities. He also stressed the need for greater investment in scientific infrastructure and promoting an eco-system that rewarded innovation and excellence. He called for inculcating a scientific bent of mind in children by changing the present teaching methods that emphasised memory rather than inquiry.

Pointing out that science was a key driver that guided global policy discourse, he said the impact of climate change, for example, was the most devastating in the developing world. Many of these scientific processes were dominated by scientists from the advanced countries.

He paid homage to Pakistani Nobel Laureate Prof. Abdus Salam, who was the founder of the TWAS (renamed now as the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World).

Earlier, Dr. Singh presented the Ernesto Illy Trieste Science Prize, which carries a cash prize of $1,00,000, to renowned energy expert Jose Goldemberg of Brazil and the India Science Prize, with a cash award of Rs. 25 lakh, to eminent statistician Prof. C.R. Rao.

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