Kolkata, January 3
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said progress in the field of atomic energy and agriculture was imperative if India wanted to stay on the path of development. He urged scientists to engage in nation-building with a forward-looking approach. Country’s progress would be stalled if advancement in the field of science and technology was not maintained, he said.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the 100th Indian Science Congress, the Prime Minister exhorted people to switch over to new scientific methods for ensuring rapid progress of the country. In the present-day world, there was no alternative to atomic power, he said.

He also emphasised on the transformation of the agricultural sector. “The complex issues related to genetically modified food, nuclear energy or the exploration of outer space cannot be settled by faith, emotion and fear, but by a structured debate,” he said. “Nearly 65 per cent of our people live in rural areas. The 12th Five Year Plan assumes that a sustained growth in agriculture at the rate of 4 per cent per annum is essential to achieve food security,” he observed.

“This transformation of the agriculture sector must be the top priority of our public policies, including science and technology policies. We need new breakthroughs in water-saving technologies in cultivation, enhancement of land productivity and development of climate-resilient varieties,” he said.

The Prime Minister also released the country’s Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013. “India aspires to be among the top five global scientific powers by 2020,” he proclaimed.

Earlier, President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the Indian Science Congress. West Bengal Governor MK Narayanan, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Minister of Science and Technology Jaipal Reddy were also present on the occasion. Mamata used the platform to critcise the UPA government for allegedly depriving West Bengal of its due share of funds. She reminded the PM that unless states were strengthened, there could be no development at the Central level. Over 10,000 scientists and technologists, including six Nobel laureates, from across the world are participating in the event. (With PTI inputs)