Indian Scientists have capability to solve all unsolved problems of the country: Dr Harsh Vardhan

NewsBharati    18-Feb-2018
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New Delhi, February 18: Indian scientists have the capability to solve the unsolved problems of this country like malnutrition and anaemia from which the country could not overcome says Science & Technology; Earth Sciences Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan while Prof. Ramalingaswami Fellows Conclave.

“There are some basic problems in this country even after 70 years. So much nutritional foods have been developed in the labs; still, we have the problem of malnutrition and anaemia. When I visit all these nutrition labs – Hyderabad, Mysore, etc. I see so much research taking place there, but still, the country continues to suffer from many of the problems,” said Dr Harsh Vardhan.

The Minister said a large number of scientists have returned to India, accepting fellowships for research in various fields of science and technology. He said 290 scientists have come back under the Prof. Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship and taken up research assignments in India and there are quite a few success stories.

 

“This is a very prestigious programme to have been named after him in recognition of his great contributions to science, where we are inviting young people from foreign universities to come to India and serve the country, literally converting the brain drain into brain gain. It is a befitting tribute to the memory of Prof. Ramalingaswami. I was told, 290 scientists have come back and joined various scientific organisations/universities in the last few years under this fellowship. It is a significant number and they have already produced 883 papers, developed 53 technologies, 33 patents and two start-ups,” said Dr Harsh Vardhan.

The fellowship was conceptualized with the aim of attracting highly skilled Indian researchers working overseas in various cutting-edge disciplines of biotechnology – agriculture, health sciences, bioengineering, energy, environment, bioinformatics and other related areas, by providing them with an attractive avenue to pursue their R&D interests in Indian institutions.

So far, the fellows have joined various institutions like CSIR, IITs/NITs, ICMR, IISc, IISER/NISER and Universities as well as private sector. They have published 883 research papers, developed 53 technologies, 33 patents and established two start-ups.

There are several success stories from their research projects, which include the non-invasive method for cancer detection, pesticide detection in food by mass spectrometry, the prognosis of diabetes, anti-glioma drug, technology for breast cancer prognosis etc.

The Minister said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to science is resulting in a positive outcome, as Prime Minister wants India in the driver’s seat of next scientific revolution.