Bhubaneswar: Migration of scientific manpower has been checked to a ‘great extent’ with increase in the capacity of laboratories and upgradation of research institutes, Union Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan said Tuesday, underlining that science is back on track in the country.
Claiming that India was entering into the new field of research, Vardhan said, “We are the leading country in research in climate change and global warming.”
“Migration of scientific manpower has been checked to a great extent with increase in the capacity of laboratories and upgradation of research institutes,” Vardhan told reporters while addressing them in the National Video-link Press Conference held in New Delhi.
Stating that India’s challenges are many and solutions complex, he said ambitious plans have been made in new areas and the need of the hour is to move ahead and scale up.
“We have moved from policy paralysis and worked with our brilliant scientific community to connect with our people and what India needs,” the minister said.
Asserting that “science is back on track”, he listed key initiatives taken by his ministry in the fields of scientific weather forecasting, formulation of new vaccines, biotechnology, energy research and eco-system for innovation.
Stating that a reliable and accurate forecasting system plays a vital role in the prevention and mitigation of natural hazards, the minister said, “Our weather forecasting involves high-speed computing and mathematical modelling. We have become world-leaders in this area.”
“Our Tsunami warning system is constantly being tested and will have the maximum possible warning period should there be another strike.
Our fisher-folk are now better connected through an SMS warning system,” he said.
The Indian Tsunami Warning System, established at the Indian Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad, has been recognised by the UNESCO
as the Regional Tsunami Service Provider for the Indian Ocean region. PTI
