Kapil Sibal Calls upon Scientific Community to think out of The Box to find Solutions for Challenges of 21st Century

Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth sciences Shri Kapil Sibal has said that Food security, Health and Environment are the challenges the world is facing in the 21st century and called upon the scientists to think out of the box to find solutions to sustain life. Addressing a gathering of eminent scientists on the occasion of National Science Day celebrations in New Delhi today, he said, solution lies in Science and Technology, particularly in integration of biology with chemistry. The theme this year is “Understanding Planet Earth”

Shri Sibal observed that Global warming is relocating the habitat in the world as the process of civilization is changing the order of nature. Culture of science, therefore, he said, has to be to work with nature and not against it. Citing the example of coal as a natural resource he said that nature does value addition to itself but human beings want to destroy what has taken nature millions of years.

Paying tribute to great scientists like C.V. Raman whose achievements are remembered by celebrating National Science Day, the Minister said the world would not have been what it is without their passion for Science. He said that science is about discovering the unknown, about future and hope and unless it is understood so, there will be neither future nor hope.

The Minister also gave away the National Awards for Science Communication.

Earlier, the noted scientist Prof. M S Swaminathan who graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor called for an “Evergreen Revolution” in his Science Day lecture.

Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology also spoke on the occasion.

Source: Press Inormation Bureau
Date: February 28, 2008