Vigyan Chintan: Scientific Eco-System in Kolkata

Raj Bhavan, Kolkata, November 28, 2017, 4:30 pm

During his visit to Kolkata on November 28-29, 2017, the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, met the Heads of some select Scientific and Higher Educational Institutions and some leading scientists of Kolkata in a meeting at the Raj Bhavan on November 28, 2017 at 4:30 pm. The meeting was very aptly titled as “Vigyan Chintan: Scientific Eco-System in Kolkata” and it was organized to recount Kolkata’s rich legacy of scientific research, appreciate the fertile eco-system the city offeredfor pursuing and maintaining excellence in scientific research, and also discuss plans for even more active Research and Development (R&D) Programmes in future. While the thrust on internationally competitive basic research at the forefront of knowledge was appreciated, efforts to impart the R&D programmes greater societal relevance for pushing the national developmental agenda were also discussed. The structure and planning of the meeting vindicated the need to bring the R&D laboratories and universities closer together. Finally, the meeting confirmed that Kolkata, with a large number of leading scientific research institutions, could well be the torchbearer for greater synergies in national R&D efforts.