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“As far as resources are concerned, the fraction of the GDP spent on R&D in India has been too low and stagnant,” he said inaugurating the 99th Indian Science Congress at the sprawling KIIT campus here.
“Over the past few decades, India's position in the world of science had been declining and we have been overtaken by countries like China. Things are changing but we cannot be satisfied with what has been achieved. We need to do much more to change the fate of Indian science,” PM said. He said the aim should be to increase the total R&D spending as a percentage of the GDP to two per cent by the end of the 12th Plan period from the current level of about 0.9 per cent.
“This can only be achieved if industry, which contributes about one-third of the total R&D expenditure today, increases its contribution. I believe public sector undertakings especially in the engineering sector should play a major role in this expansion,” he said.
In a bid to push research in niche areas, the Prime Minister said the government was examining a proposal to build national capacity and capability in supercomputing which will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore.
He said there is another proposal for setting up a Neutrino Observatory at Theni in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 1,350 crore to study the fundamental particles that form the universe.
Noting that publicly funded R&D was skewed in favour of fundamental research rather than applied research, PM said: “It is easier to attract industrial funds into applied research areas and a set of principles should be formulated to push such funding and to drive public-private-partnerships in R&D.
“While research generates new knowledge, we need innovation to use this knowledge productively for social benefit. We need to give practical meaning to innovation so that it does not end up being just a buzz word,” he said.
Congratulating the Science Congress for highlighting the role of women in science, the Prime Minister lauded the women scientists for making a mark in traditionally male bastions and decisively breaking the glass ceiling.
He noted that the country's Agni Missile programme has a women scientist -- Tessy Thomas at the helm and for the first time three women scientists received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize last year as compared to total 11 women awardees for all the years since 1958.
Tthe Prime Minister, however, noted that nearly 60 per cent of the 2000 Indian women PhDs in science were unemployed and the main reason cited by them was lack of job opportunities.
A very small section cited family reasons for unemployment, he said.
The Prime Minister also gave away awards to scientists for their achievements and tribals of Koraput region for the global recognition they received for conservation of bio-diversity and developing climate resilient farming systems.
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If we read one of the most interesting blogs by Pritish Nandy about what an MP gets as salary and the so-called perks, then one can easily understand where our hard earned money goes. And with such MPs and the government bending to the unjustified demands of these MPs, how can we expect to spend more on science or any other project? Does this government want to tax us more; it is very scary. Either change the government or change the way an MP is paid crores just for attending Parliament for 60 days.
Is for the public speech? What money get siphoned off, can be invested in R&D, at least some return will there even though some funds can be wasted! R&D is the solution for nations problems. Let see how Maha Gyani Manmohan ji applies his knowledge from now to fund more R&D.
Over the years millions of rupees have been spent in ICMR projects but we do not have single new drug.We are only producing skin whiteners.The scientist do not have that dedication and commitment, money is not the factor , we have wrong investments and priorities.
This is the result of the sum total of corruption accumulated since we got independance.
Finally Mr. PM realised Chaina has overtaken India in the field of science...But as per the reality I think even SriLanka, has acheved good progress in human development index and is a way ahead of Inida...The way the projects being handeled in govt Psus and other govt organizations I think its next only to 0. Ex: Compare BSNL with Hauwei Tech. Though BSNL is a service provider they have restricted themself to only installations of telecom components. On the other hand the chinese gaint is involved in spec definations and development etc.. which makes other equpment manufacturers really difficult to enter into the Chinese market. --- Compare DRDO, HAL and chinese military labs, the stackup of huge cache of arms and ammunitions with the state of the art technlogy itself make India defenceless. --- India should not only spend on the scientific projects, but it also needs to bring accountability.
Over the past few decades, India's position in the world of science had been declining and we have been overtaken by countries like China because the China is sensitive to the core issues and religiously pursuing them. In India our leaders only give suggestions and advices to the public and doing nothings. The whole energy of our leaders is engaged in dirty politics and making personal capitol/capital. No one is concerned about nation and its citizens. Everything is RAM BHAROSE. Mr. P.M. is anyone obstracting you from making higher investments in the development of Science, Technologies, educations? If not then why you are not allocating higher resources and bring back nation's pride. Have a courage to take bold and constructive steps the entire nation is with you. Please do some thing unique in the nation's greater interest we all will support you.