BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today emphasised on research and innovation in areas that will bring change in the life of people especially the poor section of the society.
Inaugurating the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) at Jatni, about 25 km from Bhubaneswar, the Prime Minister said innovation is the need of the hour for every society.
Referring to India's space programme, which had begun from scratch, Modi said the whole world is now taking note of it. He called upon young scientists to be similarly inspired to achieve and serve the people through their work.
"I am happy that our students and teachers are seriously involved in research works. It is not that everyone will get Nobel prize. But if they bring a little change in someone's life, that is more than Nobel," Modi said adding, it is important to develop a scientific temper among students.
The students and teachers of NISER will do a great service to the nation if they spare some of their valuable time with High School students and ignite the passion for science among them.
The Prime Minister hoped that an environment of innovation could be fostered among school, colleges and other institutions of higher education. In the context of NISER, he said there is a great possibility for innovation in areas such as coal gasification for generation of clean energy.
Besides, the State has huge potential to exploit the blue (sea), white (dairy sector) and green (agriculture sector) economy.
Reiterating his Government's commitment of housing for all by 2022, the Prime Minister said, "We must look for renewable materials from the waste for construction of houses at an affordable cost."
The Prime Minister urged the students of NISER to work towards making the institution, as one of the greenest campus of the country with a zero-emission and zero-discharge premises which uses only renewable energy.