Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Outgoing Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Ministry of Earth Sciences, outlined the journey of the department, which witnessed an increase in the number of programmes as India’s publications, startups and innovations escalated during his seven-year tenure.
“During my stay at DST, the focus has been on looking out for the areas for future growth and at the future much ahead of time. We have faced the COVID 19 challenge, worked and produced substantial results during the worst period. We need to overcome a lot of challenges ahead, and sustainable development and climate change are some of the major ones. There is a need to keep ourselves prepared for it as challenges often come unannounced. Overcoming such challenges need collective work and developing ourselves in disruptive technologies,” Prof Sharma said while addressing a gathering of scientists and officials from DST and Ministry of Earth Sciences at his farewell.
He emphasised on promoting youth to leadership positions and also using the learnings of experience to smoothen the path of overcoming the newly emerging challenges.
Professor Sharma elaborated about the programmes and initiatives taken during his tenure and the achievements these off. “We have been climbing up in the number of science publications attaining in the world. We have had more number of startups and incubators in the last five years than in the last 50 years. Various programmes have been started for creating a level-playing field for all, encouraging girls from under-represented areas of the country to take an interest in science and get into top scientific institutions of the country, creating next-generation leadership and starting various future-centric programmes like cyber-physical systems, quantum technologies, 25 technology Innovation hubs and so on. The future of DST is very bright, and it would play a central role in the development and progress of the country in the coming years,” he pointed out.
“The seeds these have sown to help science, technology and innovation play a crucial role in tackling future challenges. Science and technology is the link to strongly connect with the larger ecosystem – academia, system, citizens and so on – for the development of society and country”, he added at the gathering which included Dr Akhilesh Gupta, Senior Adviser, DST, Ms Anju Bhalla, Joint Secretary, DST, Shri Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary, DST, Ms Indira Murthy, Joint Secretary (MoES).
