R&D to be focus of new S&T minister

Promoting research and development and bringing about the scientific temper will be the priority of the Science and Technology Ministry to make India the world leader in this area, its new Minister Jitendra Singh said today.
Spelling out his agenda while taking charge of the ministry, he said science and technology will be utilised for the development and empowerment of youth who form a sizable percentage of the population.
Contending that the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was not being utilised properly, Singh said his priority would be to ensure R&D growth in multifarious directions.
Scientific institutions will be made more pro-active in the dissemination of information regarding innovations in various fields of science, he added.

Pitching for "scientific temper" besides research, he said the S&T Department will try to have interface with other related departments to make research and development more effective for the betterment of the society.
Pointing out that there is no dearth of opportunities in the country, he said all efforts would be made to make India the world's number one power in the field of science.

To a question on young students and scientists leaving India to pursue research in sciences, Singh said it was the government's responsibilty to make them realise India too is full of opportunities.
"Opportunities are there but these are not being realised. The Indian peninsula is so diverse in nature in terms of research and is extremely hetrogenous. Such conditions are not available anywhere in the world," he said.

Terming 21st century as the "century of genes", he said much research is required to be done in that field.
When asked about his opinion on clinical trials, he said India is evolving in this field and that there should be a scientific view before taking decision on GM crops as a lot of research is being done in that field.