Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 31: Governor N. N. Vohra, today called upon scientists, particularly those in the younger age group, to pursue research projects in identified areas and aim to secure the best outcomes from the application of the latest scientific and technological approaches.
He stressed that the growth and development of the country would move at a fast pace when we are able to leverage science and technology and use them as instruments of development.
The Governor was addressing the 7th Young Investigators Meeting (YIM) at Gulmarg here today. This five day meeting has brought together reputed Indian and international scientists among which included Nobel Laureate Sir Tim Hunt.
The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, said that such interactions among reputed scientists and the upcoming generation of scientific researchers would provide an extremely profitable opportunity for the upcoming scientists to benefit from the knowledge, expertise and vast experience of their mentors.
He observed that the students of Jammu and Kashmir are as good as anywhere else in the world if they were provided the required guidance and support. He further noted that the State has a very large reservoir and wide ranging species of plants, animals and microbes and the Kashmir Himalayas provided an attractive venue for diverse scientific research projects being taken up.
The Governor stressed the crucial importance of scientific and technological solutions being found of the varied challenges which face the country, particularly in regard to poverty alleviation. It was of paramount importance to ensure food security in the country and, towards this objective, it was necessary to significantly raise land and water productivity and usher in an evergreen revolution by introducing climate resilient agriculture.
To provide accessible and affordable health care it was necessary for varied research initiatives being launched in the arenas of health, medicine and treatment of cancers and communicable diseases. Time bound work has also to be done in the arena of Biomedical Engineering to develop medical devises which are fit for use without excessive maintenance requirements, particularly in the distant parts of the country.
Referring to the varied notable initiatives taken by the Government of India to popularise science education, through award of attractive scholarships and other means, the Governor called upon the scientists to put their shoulders together for finding timely solutions to varied challenges in the arena of health care, agriculture, food security etc.
While thanking all the eminent India scientists who had come from various foreign countries to participate in the YIM, the Governor particularly thanked Nobel Laureate Prof Tim Hunt, Prof Bruce Eisen, Prof Maria Leptin, Prof Elizabeth A Hadly and Prof Ronald Vale and complimented the Secretary, Department of Bio-Technology, Dr K. Vijay Raghavan, for his sustained contribution to scientific development.
Prof Khurshid I. Andrabi, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, in his welcome address spoke about the importance of studies in science and hoped that more and more youth would take up studies in researches and science in the coming time.
Prof L. S. Shashidhara, Coordinator of the Department of Biology at IISER, Pune, presented a brief report on the proceedings of the YIM and Prof Zafar Reshi, Registrar University of Kashmir, presented a Vote of Thanks.
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