Need innovation to make technology accessible and affordable for all, says Modi

Mysuru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday told scientists that the government would make it easier to do scientific research in the country and asked them to keep the five principles of economy, environment, energy, empathy, equity at the centre of enquiry and engineering.

Addressing the 103rd Indian Science Congress here, he also said he was encouraging greater scientific collaboration between central and state institutions and agencies as part of cooperative federalism.

"We will make it easier to do science research in India," said Modi, as the annual five-day mega science event began at the "Manasa Gangotri" campus of the University of Mysore with over 500 eminent scientists and experts from the country and abroad scheduled to address the meet.

He emphasised on what he called "Five Es", saying the impact of science would be the most when scientists and technologists keep the principles "Economy, Environment, Energy, Empathy, Equity" at the centre of enquiry and engineering.

The Prime Minister also told the scientists that the rising challenges of rapid urbanisation must be addressed as it would be critical for a sustainable world.

"Cities are the major engines of economic growth, employment opportunities and prosperity... but, cities account for more than two-thirds of global energy demand and result in up to 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emission," he noted.

Modi said better scientific tools must be developed to improve city planning with sensitivity to local ecology and heritage and affordable and practical solutions found for solid waste management.

Stressing that a sustainable future for this planet would depend not only on "what we do on land, but also on how we treat our oceans", he said the government had increased focus on ocean or blue economy.

"We will raise the level of our scientific efforts in marine science," he said.