Experts underlined that science has created an atmosphere of optimism in the country, and it is time to use new technologies to pole-vault present and future challenges at a discourse on June 22, 2021.  

India has taken huge strides in social, political, and economic transformation of the country and has taken unprecedented steps in creating a science and technology ecosystem. Our scientific community has done us proud, and it is an opportune moment for the country to use new technologies to overcome challenges,” said Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog at the Department of Science & Technology (DST) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Discourse Series New India @ 75.

The online discourse series was organised by National Council for Science & Technology Communication and Vigyan Prasar. 

As a young democracy, we have shown to the world what we are capable of through social transformations, the excellence of our institutions, and the economic and political changes. We should look at the future with as much optimism as we can”, he added and appealed to the countrymen to rededicate themselves to make India proud.   

Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST, highlighted the role of DST in the development and progress of the country and future goals of DST in making India the science, technology, and innovation power in the world.

“Fifty years is a long journey, and foundational technologies have been seeded. Major challenges are coming at faster speed, and science, technology, and innovation are key for the country's development and progress in this scenario. The emergence of disruptive and impactful technologies poses new challenges and simultaneously greater opportunities. DST, which is a nursery to help, nurture and grow young talents for the progress and development of the country, has launched a whole lot of schemes and have taken various steps to identify loopholes and rectify them to ensure that science, technology, and innovation plays the key role in progress and development of the country”, Prof Sharma said.

The DST Secretary also talked about Science Technology and Innovation Policy 2021 that would empower every sector in the country to march ahead on a sustainable development pathway to include economic development, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability for achieving an Atmanirbhar Bharat. He added that Geospatial Data Policy would be a game-changer and help democratization of data in every nook and corner of the country. Professor Sharma also spoke about strengthening infrastructure in science and technology, scientific social responsibility, science communication, quantum technology, and the National Mission on Cyber-Physical Systems.