GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5034
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29-04-2008

CHALLENGES IN FIVE CORE AREAS

5034. SHRI K.J.S.P. REDDY:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has asked the scientists to come out with specific suggestions to face the challenges in five core areas;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the reaction of the scientists thereto?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES
(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (c): Yes Sir. The Hon'ble Prime Minister in his address to the scientific community during the 95th Session of the Indian Science Congress on 3rd January, 2008 has identified the following five major scientific challenges:

• Food production and utilization and conservation of our scarce water resources;
• Energy generation and utilization;
  
• Manufacturing technologies;
  
• Mass transportation systems;
  
• Building and construction technology.

The scientific community has welcomed these suggestions.