Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, July 29 : Speaking at the Foundation Day function of the Ministry of Earth Sciences as chief guest here today, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, MoS in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Space & Atomic Energy said that science and society shared a reciprocal relationship and therefore neither Science can realize its full potential without social participation nor society can achieve its full progress without scientific temper.
Dr Jitendra Singh quoted Mahatma Gandhi to emphasize the utility of Science as a means to serve humanity and said this attitude has to evolve in the natural course among individual human beings and the nation.
Referring to the need to enhance self-esteem among scientists, Dr Jitendra Singh suggested that a mechanism should be developed to reach out to the students at 10+2 or graduation level and catch them young for developing their inherent aptitude for Science.
Spelling out the achievements of the Department of Earth Sciences during last eight weeks, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Department of Earth Sciences distinguished itself by making absolutely accurate predictions regarding the pattern of monsoon and also regarding the adverse weather conditions during the Badrinath Yatra last week which helped to avoid any mishap as witnessed last year.
Similarly, he said, India launched its first indigenously built research vessel into the ocean at Goa last week. Tsunami Warning Centre system and ocean research achievements of the Department are of world class, he added.
On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh presented “Life Time Excellence Award” for Science to eminent Scientist Prof. Vinod K Gaur and National Awards for Science to Prof. T. Balasubramanian, Prof. Goswami, Dr Rishi Narain Singh and Dr Kulkarni.
Earlier, Secretary Earth Sciences Dr Shailesh Nayak welcomed Dr Jitendra Singh and said it was a good fortune to have a Minister who himself belonged to Science fraternity.
Follow our WhatsApp channel