Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 15: During the Joint Ministerial meeting with the Secretaries of all Science Ministries and Departments of the Government, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the need to harmonize efforts across all Government departments at both Central and State levels. He advocated for a “whole of Government” and “whole of Science” strategy to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
The Minister encouraged State Scientific Councils to actively participate in promoting scientific initiatives during today’s Monthly Meeting of Science Secretaries. He underlined the significance of cooperative federalism in scientific endeavors and the necessity for integrating all relevant stakeholders to build a sustainable and advanced ecosystem.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the crucial role of State Scientific Councils in driving innovation, supporting regional growth, and contributing to national objectives. He urged states to act as catalysts for nurturing a scientific mindset, advancing grassroots innovation, and utilizing local expertise to tackle specific challenges.
A focal point of the discussions was the need for market-driven innovations generated by India’s scientific agencies. Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out the importance of scaling and promoting cutting-edge solutions from Government-supported institutions to attract investments and address key challenges in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, and climate resilience. “Scientific innovation should be more than just laboratory work. It needs to evolve into impactful, market-ready solutions that empower industries and enrich lives,” he remarked.
He provided examples of successful innovations supported by the Government, encouraging departments to leverage these case studies to foster confidence and investment from private stakeholders. By effectively promoting these technologies, India has the potential to emerge as a global leader in innovation and technology-driven solutions.
Dr. Jitendra Singh called for frameworks that facilitate public-private partnerships to expedite the commercialization of small-scale breakthroughs. He asserted that such collaborations are vital for bridging the research-to-application divide, guaranteeing that innovations are accessible, scalable, and impactful.
He reiterated the importance of cooperative federalism in the science ecosystem, advocating for states to align with national initiatives to forge a cohesive scientific framework. This strategy, he noted, would promote regional development, cultivate scientific thinking, and ensure equitable benefits from technological advancements throughout the country. “State Scientific Councils must step up and contribute to the Viksit Bharat vision. By joining forces, we can unlock the full potential of our scientific capabilities to elevate India to a developed nation by 2047,” Dr. Jitendra Singh added.
The senior team of Secretaries and officials was led by Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof Ajay Sood.
