Give more attention to science edn: PM

Asserting that government has invested in several areas to ensure that India remains at the cutting edge of science, he also announced that India is joining the CERN Institute, a premier European Organisation for Nuclear Research, as an associate member.

Addressing the Indian Science Congress in Jammu for the tenth year in succession, Singh said India needs to leverage the ability of modern science to deliver value to society.

"We must also seek global leadership in at least some research and development areas. Affordable innovations for human healthcare, sustainable agriculture, clean energy and total solutions for water-related challenges are some areas where Indian science can seek global leadership," he told delegates to the Congress.

The inauguration of the five day meet was attended among others by Union Science and Technology Minister S Jaipal Reddy and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

The Prime Minister also announced a National Mission on High Performance Computing with an outlay of Rs 4500 crore.

"We are also considering establishment of a National Geographical Information System with an outlay of about Rs 3000 crore. A National Mission on teaching to enhance the esteem of our teachers is also being launched," Singh said.

The Prime Minister urged scientists to learn from the past and connect with the present and focus on the future.

"Our basic research must be directed at new discoveries with innovative efforts to develop affordable solutions. Above all, our science should be a driving force propelling India as a resurgent civilisation which holds out both hope and opportunity," he said.

This is the first time that the Indian Science Congress is being held in Jammu. Recognising the role of scientific inputs in providing accessible and affordable healthcare programmes, the government has established a new department for Health Education and Research, the Prime Minister said.

"Affordable innovations for human healthcare, sustainable agriculture, clean energy and total solutions for water-related challenges are some areas where Indian science can seek global leadership", he said.

As the country is expected to have the largest population of youth entering stepping into the world of higher education, Singh said it was important to give more attention to science education.

"We must find ways of encouraging them to take up the right path that will provide them not only productive employment but also excitement in their profession," he said, adding the Gross Enrolment Ratio in Higher Education has more than doubled in ten years and now stood at 19 per cent.