Kovind stresses to find alternatives to fossil fuel

Addressing a conference of the directors of the IITs and other premier technical institutes, President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday raised concerns over "doomsday" projections due to worsening air qualities of Indian cites and stressed on the need to find alternatives to hydrocarbon energy.

He exuded confidence that the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) will be able to find solutions to address the problem of air pollution with their specialisations as well as create sensitivity among students and researchers.

“We are facing a kind of challenge here that we have never faced before. Hydrocarbon energy changed the face of the world in the last couple of centuries, but now it is threatening our very existence. The challenge is compounded for nations battling to bring substantial sections of populations out of poverty. Yet, we will have to find alternatives,” the President said, addressing the conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He underlined that many scientists and futurologists have painted “doomsday scenarios”.

“On days of smog and poor visibility in our cities, we fear the future might already be here. I am sure that your institutes, with your various specialisations, will take care to create a sensitivity and awareness among students and researchers towards our common future,” the President added.

The President also called upon the premier technical institutes to contribute towards achieving the government's aim of improving "ease of living for all citizens".

“How can we move forward in that direction, and make life easier for all, especially those on the margins of society? From the technology perspective, I am confident your institutes can make the most crucial contribution to this cause,” he said.

The President expressed happiness over the efforts being taken by the IITs and NITs to improve gender ratio of students but noted that the number of women faculty at these institutes was “still very low.”

“I am sure this issue will get the attention it deserves from all of you,” he said.