R&D gets a boost of Rs 9K cr, thanks to Manmohan Singh

Jammu, Feb 4: The Prime Minister of India-Dr.

-gave a boost to the country's research and development facilities by announcing

projects worth Rs 9,000 crore. The announcement was made at the 101st Indian Science Congress in Jammu.

The PM further urged that the expenditure toward research and science be at least 2% of the GDP and that corporate sectors should also join hands with the government sector.

Among the important projects he announced include Rs 4,500 crore worth Singh were National Mission on High Performance Computing, a Rs 3,000 crore worth National Geographical Information System and a Rs 1,450 crore worth Neutrino-based Observatory in Tamil Nadu. Apart from this, a National Mission on Teaching is also likely to be launched to enhance the esteem of teachers.

Highlighting the major ventures in the field of science and research, Singh announced that India will join the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) as the associate member. INdia may also partner with the international scientific community for the establishment of the world's research and development projects.

Referring to the under-construction reactor in Kalpakkam, Singh said that the country is aspiring to build a fast breeder reactor and that the prototype under construction may be completed this year.

"It will be a great day for Indian science and technology because we will be one of the few countries in the world with leadership in a completely new area of nuclear technology that can contribute non-polluting electrical power," he said.

He also said,"I would also like to see the continuous improvement in our monsoon prediction capability through the recently launched Monsoon Mission so that we avert the kind of calamities that we saw in Uttarakhand last year."

Referring to the research conducted in the field of Health Education and Researchs, he applauded the development of the rotavirus vaccine, which was a result of collaborative science.

Emphasizing the need for a national drive for an ‘Ever-Green Revolution', he said that ensuring food security bill and improving land and productivity are the main focus of the Centre this year.

"Our basic research must be directed to make new discoveries with innovative efforts to develop affordable solutions," the Prime Minister said, encouraging affordable innovations for healthcare, clean energy, sustainable agriculture and total solutions for water-related challenges.

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