'Convert challenges into opportunities'

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda called upon the youth to convert challenges into opportunity to achieve success in the area of chosen subject.

Speaking at the fourth convention of Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA) on the theme “New frontiers in science and technology: Opportunities and challenges” at Mangalore University on Saturday, he said if the challenges are not accepted, then one can not survive in the world.

The enrolment ratio to higher education is only 8 to 12 per cent in India while it is 25 to 30 per cent in developed countries. The government is committed to increase the enrolment ratio in higher education.

Stating that the government is giving special emphasis to science education, the CM said that a sum of Rs 12,500 crore was earmarked for education sector in the State in last year’s budget. As talented students showing interest in professional courses, there is dearth of students who pursue education in basic sciences. Hence, the KSTA has come out with a novel idea to provide scholarship for the talented who pursue basic science education.

Drought management

Science and technology should be used to study ways of conserving water and drought management. There is a need to give priroty to conserve water to avoid drought-like situation. As only 25 per cent of the total agriculture land comes under irrigation, there is a need to think of technology to increase the food production by farming in arid land. To sustain the fisheries sector in the coast, there is a need to give emphasis to eco-tourism as well, he said.

About 3,400 tonnes of solid wastes are produced in six city corporations in the State. Only 2,183 tonnes are processed scientifically.

There is a need to develop a technology which will help in processing all the produced solid waste, he added.

Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya said there is a need to provide urban facility in rural areas to check migration. There is a need to find a solution to shortage of water using nano technology.

Regional science centres

Minister for Science and Technology and Fisheries Anand Vasanth Asnotikar said that the regional science centre at Dharwad will be inaugurated in February while at Pilikula will be inaugurated in June. The work on sub science centres at Raichur, Karwar and Bellary has already commenced. International Centre for Theoretical Sciences will be coming up at Shivakote in 17 acre land.

Increase food production

ISRO former chairman  Prof U R Rao said that there is a need to use science and technology to increase the food production to meet the increased population. The productivity in agriculture should be increased from 1.8 tonne per hectare to match the developed countries.
Stating that there is too much speculations on global warming, he said that it was US and developed countries which are responsible for global warming.

Rain water harvesting will not help major cities to overcome the problem of shortage of water.
The major cities should take up recyling of water. “The scientists will colonise the Mars within few years, which will be the first stage of civilisation. The progress made in the field of science and technology helped in the development of a country,” he added.

District-in-Charge Minister Krishna Palemar, Principal Secretary of IT, BT and Science and Technology M N Vidyashankar, Science and Technology Academy Director Dr H Honne Gowda were present. Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof T C Shivashankaramurthy presided.

Nutrition Society of India Chairman Dr V Prakash was conferred lifetime achievement award on the occasion.

An exhibition held as a part of the conference where the organisations like ISRO, Bharath Heavy Electricals Ltd, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd, National Institute of Technology – Karnataka have opened their stalls.

Is UPCL a petty shop to shut down?

On the controversy surrounding Thermal power plant in Udupi, Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya said that many wanted to close down the thermal problem when it comes to the issue of fly ash. How can we afford to close down a thermal power plant. Is it a petty shop to pull the shutter as and when required? he asked and said that the company has made huge investment in the plant and if we shut down, what will be the credibility of Karnataka?