Indian Science Congress 2019 Updates: PM Modi closes Science Congress inauguration with vision for New India

ISC inauguration closes with Modi’s vision for New India

“India is teaming with a new generation of creative and confident minds. The government is committed to provide them with an enabling environment. Let’s build a new India… that is stronger, confident, prosperous and healthier… an India that is compassionate and inclusive.” 

I wish you all a creative and rewarding New Year 2019, said the PM as he closed his ISC inauguration speech.

PM Modi closes inaugural speech quoting A P J Abdul Kalam 

“With vivid imaginations and consistent effort, the forces of the universe can be made to work for an inspired mind. How do we fire up the minds of the minds of Indian youth who are the minds of cutting-edge research?,” Modi quoted former President A P J Abdul Kalam.

A new SciTech future for a new India

The PM-STIAC will call on scientist, engineers, innovators, educators and other professionals to advise on how we can meet our ambitions for a new future and a new India.

PM’s SciTech Innovation Council

India needs a new and ambitious plan for the road ahead. This is the prime objective of the PM’s Science Technology and Innovation Council.

SciTech eductaion needs to be redefined

The vast majority of students in the country go to state universities, where quality of research really needs to improve. This is something the HRD Ministry and we are addressing, the PM said.

Space and Satellites

By 2022, the mission to send three Indians to space is underway. ISRO has tested the crew module and escape system. I have no doubt that our scientists will bring success to the mission, and at the planned time, the PM said, speaking of the Gaganyaan mission.

India among the top 5 in SciTech research globally

“SCOPUS rates India as one of the top 5 countries in the world in terms of research publications. And that’s no small feat. It’s one of the many achievements that will take India further as a thriving member of the global scientific community,” Modi.

“Interdisciplinary research…mixing of arts, science, entrepreneurship… is an important part of this process as well.”

SciTech pioneers are India’s need of the hour

“Bringing big data, AI and blockchain to solve India’s biggest challenges – healthcare, agriculture and developmental needs can only be done by our scientists and engineers.”

This is an important goal for India’s immediate future, Modi said.

Indian SciTech startups burgeoning 

“More incubators have been established in the last 4 years than the 40 years before that,” Modi said, as he spoke about the massive boost in innovative science and tech startups in new in recent years. “Industry must now help startups with mentorship and guidance.”

PM Modi opens the ISC 2019 with NY wishes!

Modi opens his speech wishing everyone a very happy new year.

“The Indian Science Congress has a rich legacy…. and we continue to learn from their commitment and dedication,” the PM said.

Union Minister for SciTech speaks 

“We are enjoying the “Golden period” in Indian science (under Modi’s guidance)….With all that’s happening in the different areas of science today, we are comparable to the best in the world,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

“Virtually anything you think of.. housing and sanitation, healthcare and vaccine programs, transportation.. almost every program that the PM has thought of, his heart weeps for the poor of this country, and to solve the problems of this country,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

“These missions are all a result of planning, of which the science and technology community have been a part. I would like to thank each one of you – all the members of the scientific community in India – for carrying the amazing progress we have seen under Narendra Modi.”

Union Minister for SciTech speaks 

“It’s a very privileged occasion as always. We have the PM with us once again. We have some eminent scientists that have come from this dias…Birbal Sahani, Hargobind Khorana, Kalpana Chawla,” Dr Harsh Vardhan, the Union Minister for Science and Technology says in his address.

“We have contributed in a big way to scientific knowledge across the world.”

DD’s live stream is online!

In the meanwhile, DD National’s stream of the event is live with a stream from the ISC 2019 venue.

Someone’s missing the PM back in Delhi

Rahul Gandhi took a jibe at the PM just a little while ago, underscoring the Indian Science Congress in the process. If only the event he was running off to wasn’t a massive, annual, important event that could shape science & tech policy and education, Mr.Gandhi… 

Slated for completion by 2025

Gravitational waves – the existence of which was first predicted by Albert Einstein 100 years ago in his famous “general theory of relativity” – are what the LIGO detector is designed to seek out.

LIGO-India will be the third such detector to help pinpoint the source of the gravitational waves in the universe. Early estimates place the project’s completion date somewhere in 2025. 

Here’s a nerdy look at the project and the efforts PM Modi commended in his speech last year:

LIGO India project

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO)-India referred to by Modi is a collaboration between the LIGO Laboratory operated by Caltech and MIT, and 3 Indian institutes: the Raja Ramanna Center for Advanced Technology in Indore, the Institute for Plasma Research in Ahmedabad, and the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pune that are pooling in the skills and resources needed for the astrophysics project to succeed.

LIGO mention at ISC 2018

Researchers at the planned gravitational-wave observatory LIGO to be built in India were among those to get their moment in the sun in the PM’s address at last year’s ISC. **"**LIGO India will expand our knowledge in basic sciences in the areas of lasers, light waves, and computing," he said.

Here’s an excerpt:

LPU’s Verto Song

Here’s what the LPUiites in the audience are going on about:

LPU’s crowd going ‘Verto’

As they wait for PM Modi to take the stage, the students of Lovely Professional University seem to be going wild singing their popular ‘Verto song’.

Modi’s address at ISC 2016

“Rivers have played as important a role in human history. The revival of rivers is an essential part of my commitment to a cleaner and healthier future for our society,” Modi had said at the 103rd Science Congress in Mysore.

Throwback to PM’s address at ISC 2017 

“For a large and diverse country like India, technology needs to span a wide range; from advanced space, nuclear and defense technologies to rural development needs,” the PM was quoted to have said at the 104th Science Congress in 2017.

Here’s a snippet from his address.

Union Ministers, Nobel laureates to attend

Some familiar faces expected to attend the ISC this year are Union Minister for SciTech Dr Harsh Vardhan, Textile Minister Smriti Irani and PM Modi among many other members of the Departments of Science & Technology and Biotechnology.

Also to attend the event and participate in talks and discussions are Nobel laureates and eminent scientists from different countries.

What to expect at ISC 2019

Here’s a look at what the  106th edition of the Indian Science Congress is aiming to do, who is expected to attend and some of the key events over the course of the five-day event.

Watch Modi’s speech live from the ISC!

DD National will stream the PM’s speech live from the venue, which you can watch via their YouTube channel below.

Stage set for PM Modi

The audience seems to be filling up, and the stage all set for the PM’s inaugural address.

Hello!

We’re waiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the stage shortly at the Indian Science Congress 2019 to deliver an inauguration speech for the event.