Harsh Vardhan urges scientific community not to work in silos

Union minister Harsh Vardhan today urged members of the country's scientific community to be connected with their counterparts in other parts of the world and not continue working in silos.
Delivering the inaugural address at the third edition of four-day India International Science Festival here, the Union minister for science and technology, and earth sciences said, "I ask, request and appeal to the scientific community to not work in silos."
Asserting that science and technology can help the country in a big way, he said, "I very proudly say that in the last couple of years, the focus of our government, more particularly of our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), on science has increased tremendously."

"In terms of budgetary allocation, it (science and technology) saw almost 60 per cent hike," Vardhan said.
"Our scientists have given great strength, great knowledge, great innovations. But probably the country was working in silos. Scientists were working in silos, the laboratories were working in silos, science teachers were working in silos," he said.
"Our collaboration should be of a level that if you do something in your laboratory, it should be immediately connected with all other people who are doing same thing not only in India but all across the world," the minister said.

Noting that science festival is an occasion to rejoice the success of science, Vardhan said India has collaborations in with at least 44 countries in the field of science and technology.

"I think it gives us further stimulus to work hard and to ensure that we are able to use science as a big movement to resolve issues," he said, adding after green and white revolutions, India was witnessing "innovation revolution".
"We will help every young man with bright ideas, who wants to convert it into an innovative programme and help the country stand on his own feet. This is where the scientific community of India has a role to play," Vardhan said.