Centre sets apart Rs 75,000 cr for science & technology

Giving the much needed impetus to the development of science and technology in the country, Centre has allocated Rs 75,000 crore (Rs 750 billion) in the 11th plan, three times more than the preceding plan period, Planning Commission for Science and Technology member V L Chopra said on Tuesday.

"Total investment in Science and Technology has been three times more compared with the previous plan allocation of Rs 25,000 crore (Rs 250 billion)," Chopra said in his inaugural address at the first International conference on Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research using Nanomaterials 'Nanobio', which began in Kochi.

The government is very positive on the role science can play and the possibilities of innovation which can contribute to the country's overall development, he said.

Describing BT and Nanotechnology as sunrise areas, which have very 'positive' implications, he said there are two specific spheres in this sector which has great implications in the health and agriculture sectors.

India's two thirds of the population directly or indirectly depend on agriculture. One should look towards the progress and strategies that will materialise from these fields, he said.

"India has very serious intention of putting together programmes which will translate into holistic development and welfare of society," he said.

India besides having very large workforce in the form of young scholars who have proved their mettle not only in Indian situations but also in the arena of international science, also has the advantage of being a young country in terms of scientists and the country seriously intends to take advantage of this demographic divide, Chopra said.

He told PTI that when development takes place, there are regional and societal imbalances and government was keen that no one feels left out of the developmental momentum.

As the country develops, states which do not have central university will be allocated. Navodaya Vidalayas have been planned in each district of the country, he added.

Prof Antonios Mikos of the Rice University, US and Co-chairman of Nanobio 2009, said tissue engineering was no longer academic science or science fiction.It has promised to revolutionise medicine.

Delegates from various countries, including India, are attending the three-day conference, being organised by Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in collaboration with the Rice University of the US to showcase scientific presentation on the applciations of nanomaterials in Tissue Engineering, Stem cell research and Nanomedicines.