‘India can become major scientific player in 20 years’

NEW DELHI - India is set to become a major scientific player in 20 years, provided there is a favourable environment for innovations and structural and administrative reforms are undertaken, said a vision document released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday.

“The vision document envisages India becoming a major scientific player in about 20 years, provided that we usher in the right kind of structural and administrative reforms, and create a favourable environment for carrying out innovative work in India,” said a statement issued after the document was presented to the prime minister here.

The document notes that all the requirements for such a thing to happen indeed seem to be within reach, especially with the improving economic situation.

The document - “India as a Global Leader in Science” - was prepared by Prime Minister’s Scientific Advisory Council, headed by its eminent scientist Prof. C.N.R. Rao. Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan was also present on the occasion.

The prime minister hoped that the the ideas in the vision document will inspire the scientific community and all concerned to help build an inclusive, economically and socially vibrant, creative and an enterprising India, and to pursue excellence in science and technology for global good, the statement said.

The vision document also said: “We need to provide adequate support for basic science as well as science required for solving man’s pressing problems”.

It also said that a “high percentage of the Indian population is very young unlike in the rest of the world”, noting India has to “fully make use of the bright young talent” as well as the institutions that they have created.

“This will require major educational reforms as well. By minimising bureaucracy and promoting creativity and quality, there is every likelihood that India can be one of the very best performers in science in about 20 years, sharing such a position with the most advanced countries of today,” it added.

“If such a thing happens, this will further contribute to economic and industrial development in a major way,” the document said.