MYSORE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday gave principle of five Es to scientists to maximise the impact of science and technology and he also ensured that government is working to make easy doing scientific research in India.
Inaugurating the 103rd Science Congress here, the prime minister also emphasised on harnessing the full potential of traditional knowledge to restore the harmony between human and nature.
“The impact of science will be the most when scientists and technologists will keep the principles of what I call Five Es at the centre of their enquiry and engineering,” he said. The five Es stood for economy, environment, energy, empathy and equity.
Calling to bridge the distance between traditional knowledge and modern science, Modi said that we can craft local and more sustainable solutions for our challenges.
“Societies across the world have developed this enormous wealth through wisdom gathered over the ages. And, they hold the secrets to economic, efficient, and, environment friendly solutions to many of our problems. But, today they are at risk of extinction in our globalised world,” he said.
Lending support to practice of traditional knowledge, he said we must recognize that science, as we see it, does not constitute the only form of empirical knowledge about the world.
“So, in agriculture, even as we seek to make our farms yield more, reduce the intensity of our water use, or increase the nutrient content of our farm output, we should also integrate traditional techniques, local practices and organic farming to make our agriculture less resource intensive and more resilient,” he said.
Using scientific techniques and methods to delve deeper into traditional medicines and practices like Yoga for more holistic lifestyle was also a key area of focus touched upon by prime minister.
Prime Minister said that marine science, ocean economy and cleaning of rivers is important to ensure sustainable future for the planet.
“We are at the cusp of a new era, where oceans will become important drivers of our economies. Their sustainable use can bring prosperity; and, give us clean energy, new medicines and food security beyond just fisheries,” he said.
He announced that government will set up an advanced centre of research in marine biology and biotechnology and establish a network of coastal and island research stations in India and abroad.
Lauding the agreement reached at Paris climate talks in December 2015, he said that India succeeded in bringing innovation and technology to the heart of the climate change discourse.
“We need science and technology not just to make clean energy an integral part of our existence, but also to combat the impact of climate change on our lives. We have to develop climate resilient agriculture. We must understand the impact of climate change on our weather, biodiversity, glaciers, and oceans; and, how to adjust to them. We must strengthen our ability to forecast natural disasters,” he added.