Roadmap for the next 25 years will be determined by scientific and technological innovations in all walks of life, said the Union Minister

In the next 25 years, India must chart out a roadmap to become world leader in the emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence, Astronomy, Data Science, Solar Energy, Green Hydrogen, Semiconductor, Quantum Computing, Climate Change mitigation technologies and Cyber Physical System.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said this while addressing the 25th Foundation Day of Technology Development Board on Wednesday.

Referring to Prime Minister’s exhortation for use of Science and Technology for Societal benefits, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “Our founding fathers have envisaged this when Dr Bhabha announced to the world that India’s Nuclear Energy Programme will be for peaceful purposes.”

He said irradiation is very effective in treating agricultural produce to enhance its shelf life. Moreover, during the peak COVID crisis the Department of Atomic Energy developed the reusable PPE kits, he added.

Dr Jitendra Singh said India is emerging fast in every sphere of Science and Technology and remarked that Technology has entered every household in India.

He said the true success will be judged by helping the majority of Indian Citizens to enjoy “Ease of Living”.

In his address, Dr V.K.Saraswat said, the R & D ecosystem has changed in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and now there is more focus on translational research and commercialisation.

He said, there are more than 5,000 Start-ups working in India with nearly 50 of them headed by Women entrepreneurs. Dr Saraswat said even multinational companies have started pitching up with funds for Indian Innovations and setting up R & D facilities in India, which he said is a welcome change.