To make National Hydrogen Mission successful, it is essential to manufacture electrolysers, other components in India: Modi
Photo: Department of Science & Technology, Government of India / Twitter
The 108th session of the India Science Congress (ISC) was inaugurated on January 3, 2023 after a two-year break.
The event’s theme is ‘Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women’s Empowerment’. It is being held in Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), Nagpur.
“The world’s future is possible through sustainable development. We combined it with women empowerment,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attended the conference virtually, said.
“Women are showing their mettle everywhere. More participation from women shows society is also progressing and science is moving forward,” he added.
Jitendra Singh, Union minister of state (independent charge) for science and technology and earth sciences, said sustainability is key to solving our current problems such as climate and clean energy.
“Ultimate litmus of any scientific endeavour is how it contributes to the wellbeing of the common citizen. The 108th ISC will pave the way for India’s ascent through the 21st century to emerge as an evolved society,” Singh said.
This requires optimal synergy between research, academia and industry, he highlighted.
The country’s economy cannot progress without science, Nitin Gadkari, Union minister and chairman of the advisory committee of RTMNU centenary celebrations pointed out.
Futuristic technology, he noted, needs to find application in agriculture and the development of rural and tribal India.
The agriculture and allied sectors contribute 11-14 per cent of India’s gross domestic product and 65 per cent of the country’s population lives in villages.
Data and technology have the strength to take India to new heights, the Prime Minister stressed.
He also spoke about the need for developing technologies in the country. To make the National Hydrogen Mission successful, for instance, Modi said it is essential to manufacture electrolysers and other components in India.
Read more: Time for green hydrogen in India is now, says RK Singh; invites private players to invest
The Prime Minister launched the National Hydrogen Mission on August 15, 2021. It aims to make India a green hydrogen hub. Green hydrogen is manufactured using renewable energy. Electrolysers are apparatuses that produce hydrogen.
ISC will feature technical sessions, which have been divided into 14 sections. The discussions will cover research on:
- agriculture and forestry sciences
- animal, veterinary and fishery sciences
- anthropological and behavioural sciences
- chemical sciences
- earth system sciences
- engineering sciences
- environmental sciences
- information and communication science and technology
- material sciences
- mathematical sciences
- medical sciences
- new biology
- physical sciences
- plant sciences
Panels will also include the Women’s Science Congress, Farmers’ Science Congress, Children’s Science Congress, Tribal Meet, Science Communicators’ Congress as well as a segment on science and society.
Nobel laureates, leading Indian and foreign researchers, experts and technocrats will participate in the plenary sessions.
ISC will also host a mega expo called ‘Pride of India’. It will feature major developments and achievements largely from Indian science and technology sectors.
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