Future of India will be shaped by youth of the nation: Jaipal Reddy

Kolkata, Jan 4 (ANI): Union Science and Technology and Earth Science Minster Dr. S. Jaipal Reddy on Friday said the future of India will be shaped by youth of the nation.

Addressing the Children Science Congress here, Reddy said the future of India will be shaped by the emerging force, the youth of the Nation, and in the words of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, as he quoted in the "Discovery of India" -."Old as we are, with memories stretching back to the early dawns of human history and endeavour, we have to grow once again, in tune with our present time, with the irrepressible spirit and joy of youth in the present and its faith in the future.

Praising former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Reddy said: " Dr. Kalam, apart from making signal contributions in the field of technology and public life, has made abstruse subjects like science and technology inspiring for children and youth in their impressionable years.

"Nobody has proved to be a greater source of positive energy and soaring inspiration than him in recent years," he added.

He further impressed upon the need to invest in today's youth, both in terms of resources and mentoring support, as our first Prime Minister Pt. Nehru did in setting up such temples of learning as Atomic Energy Commission and IITs.

" Our Government realizes the inestimable value of such investments," he added.

Urging senior scientists of today to extend all the mentoring support to budding researchers," Reddy said: "Let us together build an India which is a leader in science and technology in the world".

Referring to the newly announced Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Reddy said it conveys India's aspiration to emerge as one of the top global knowledge powers."

"The new policy also stresses the importance of research that culminates in innovation. It seeks to highlight the need to integrate science, research and innovation to develop valuable technologies," he added.

He said we have also initiated a PM Doctoral Research Fellowship in partnership with industry. Already 30 fellowships have been awarded to doctoral students.

"To me this is a landmark initiative and I hope that in coming years the young recipients of the Fellowship will be instrumental in shaping a glorious future of science in India," he added. (ANI)