Usher India into Knowledge Century: Sibal

Chennai, Apr 2 (UNI) Union Minister of Science and Technology and Ocean Development Kapil Sibal has exhorted the student community to usher India into the ''Knowledge Century'' by utilising the technological advances and economic progress thrown open in recent times.

Delivering the annual convocation address at the Sri Sai Ram Engineering college here last evening, he pointed to the technological advancements witnessed by the country and wanted the students to make use of it to make India a ''knowledge superpower of the 21st century''.

''The Indian economy is growing at an unprecedented rate, undeterred by forces, external and internal, which attempt to inhibit its growth. Prime Minister Manmohan singh has set a target of ten per cent for GDP growth. We have a vast foreign exchange reserve of around 150 billion US dollars. The Capital markets are soaring. FDI is doubling every three years and over 300 MNCs have their Research and Development and technical Centres in India'', he adding ''all these developments present a tremendous opportunity for all of you.'' Stating that technology advancements, information and communication technologies and biotechnology were fundamentally influencing the way we live, Mr Sibal said ''satellite, internet, broadband and wireless based information and communication technologies were ushering in fundamental changes in our socio-economic environment, impacting on our lives''.

Advising the students to develop a sound common sense, he said ''If you have no commonsense, your ideas will not work. If your ideas do not work, you will not achieve sucess. Only if you achieve success in your individual life, you will be able to play a greater role in society and make this country a gret nation''.

''I believe that India will become an economic and military superpower, within your lifetime given your passion and commitment'', he added.

Mr Sibal wanted the young students, who were graduating today, to be agents of change for a New India. 'The goal of knowledge and technology leadership for India in an era of creativity is realisable in your lifetime.

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