JOIN USIndia for better sharing of scientific studies, says PM
Laying the foundation for a branch of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Hyderabad, Singh said: “India will also provide an opportunity for nurturing scientific bent of mind of students from third world countries by promoting infrastructure and training facilities.” The TIFR is to come up in the University of Hyderabad campus here.
Earlier, inaugurating the 21st general body meeting of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), Singh said India had already taken the lead in addressing concerns over the sharing of research and development and IPR and had pioneered in setting up an open-source drug discovery platform to promote mutual research activities.
All developing countries should make a determined effort to quicken the pace of developing scientific knowledge and application relevant to their needs and circumstances, he said. Singh also hoped the TWAS would play a very important role in providing a space where scientific collaboration on critical areas such as climate change could be facilitated.
He said the CSIR was supported with a $40 million grant to pursue this activity and had already placed the TB-gene-micro bacterial synthesis on the open source platform for the benefit of all.
In the sphere of mutual cooperation in scientific R & D, India had already mooted a south-south dialogue with Brazil and South Africa in popular areas of Oceanography, Bio-technology, Nano Technology and Health, Singh noted. “We have also set up 400 scholarships in name of scientist C V Raman to benefit budding scientists from South Africa,” he said.
Singh also gave away the TWAS prizes and medals to scientists in various fields, in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Over 350 scientists from 50 countries are taking part in the annual event, being held for the second time in India.
Singh distributed the India Science prize, on behalf of the Indian National Science Academy, to renowned statistician C Radhakrishna Rao. The prize carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh in cash and a 200 gram in gold medal. He was also presented the TWAS medal for being an eminent economist and promoter of science and technology.
Chief Minister K Rosaiah said Hyderabad had emerged as a hub of scientific research and development in health and bio-technology and that the TIFR was a fitting addition to its research prospects. Governor E S L Narasimhan, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan, TWAS President Jacob Palis and others attended the inaugural session of the four-day event.
Police foil protests
As the PM arrived here with Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily, National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and Union Minister of State for Textiles Panaba Lakshmi, leaders of opposition led by TDP President Chandrababu Naidu were arrested for staging a dharna seeking an appointment with Singh. The leaders wanted to meet Singh to impress upon him the need for stringent action against micro finance institutions that have reportedly caused a spurt in suicide rates.