India’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative is incomplete without celebrating India’s legacy and current position in the realm of science and technology. India has always been a pioneer when it comes to scientific discoveries, technological inventions and in giving the world some of the brightest scientists and inventors who have changed their respective fields for better.
As the country celebrates Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India’s contributions to science and technology are being showcased across platforms. Indian scientists and innovators have worked tirelessly for the betterment of society and humanity – not just in India but across borders too. The brightest of minds, across the country, have diligently worked towards national development and have touched the lives of millions of people through their works.
India’s prowess in space and nuclear technology is known to the world. The country has built satellites, sent probes to Mars and the Moon – a feat achieved by very few nations in the world, possesses advanced nuclear weapons and technology being used for defence, surveillance and domestic purposes.
Only through advancement in science and technology did India ensure the green and white revolutions to feed its billion plus population. Today, India is self-sufficient in production of medical drugs, vaccines, food, milk, fruits and vegetables, etc. These feats combined with favourable public policies have ensured that today India is a nation exporting most commodities it used to import earlier.
Spreading awareness important
In December 2021, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the seventh edition of India International Science Festival (IISF 2021) at Panjim in Goa. The festival is a joint programme of Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) – a scientific movement with swadeshi spirit. The main aim of the one-of-its-kind festival is to develop technology that is affordable to the masses and take innovations to the people. It’s only through advances in science and technology that the country can move forward and lead the world. With this futuristic approach, events like the science festival are being organised across India for education and awareness.
At the inaugural ceremony of the festival, several dignitaries were present including the Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State (MoS) for the Ministry of Tourism and Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shripad Naik, Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, Secretary Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr M. Ravichandran, President Vijnana Bharati, Dr Vijay Bhatkar and senior scientists and officials. The theme of the four-day festival, IISF 2021, resonated with the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations and was titled ‘Celebrating Creativity, Science, Technology and Innovation for a prosperous India’.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “India is celebrating the 75th year of its Independence and it is time to lay down the road map of scientific progress for the next 25 years, when India celebrates the Centenary of Independence.” He called out to the youth of the nation to join this ‘Vigyan Utsav’ and take the lead through Innovative Start-ups. The long-term goal of these initiatives is to make India a five-trilliondollar economy by 2024-25.
Conducive environment for growth
With the recent policy decisions and a growing focus of the government on science and technology, science is now not restricted to being just a subject of research but has grown beyond that. Today, science has assumed a larger status. According to the minister, there is a need for celebrating a Science Festival in every city and village of India to inspire the youth in critical thinking. At the festival, Science Village, Traditional Crafts and Artisan Meet, ECO-FEST, New Age Technology and Mega Science and Technology Expo, Games and Toys, Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats Fest, etc., were held to spark interest of the youth in science and technology.
Initiatives like the science festival are among a series of steps taken in the last few years to support India’s long-term vision of ‘developing and widening the spectrum of scientific temper for sustainable development and new technologicalinnovations in India’. According to Dr Singh, these initiatives also aim to build a strategy for rural India through the advancement of Science and Technology and festivals such as IISF provide a platform to ‘young students, scientists and technocrats from across India for exchange of knowledge and ideas’.
For the advancement of science and technology in India and to encourage participation of more youth, several supporting flagship programmes have been initiated in the last few years by the Prime Minister. These include ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, ‘Swasth Bharat Abhiyan’, ‘Make in India’, ‘Smart Cities’, ‘Namami Gange’, ‘Unnath Bharat Abhiyan’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Smart Villages’, etc., initiated by the Prime Minister in the last seven years.
The five pillars of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – Freedom Struggle, Ideas at 75, Achievements at 75, Actions at 75 and Resolves at 75 as guiding force for moving forward keeping dreams and duties as inspiration – are reflected in the myriad activities planned in the area of science and technology such as the India International Science Festival.
Multi-pronged approach to popularise science
The role of women in any field, including science and technology, cannot be ignored. Today, in India, women science leaders are increasing and many of them are now leading research projects across the country. According to a recent government report (Directory of Extramural Research and Development Project 2018- 19), Women Principal Investigators participation in research that received extramural research (EMR) support – through peer-reviewed competitive grant mechanism – was 28 per cent during 2018-19, as against 24 per cent during 2016-17.
Through the ‘Science Communicators Mega Conference on India’s Independence Movement and Science’, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, year- long celebrations have been planned to educate citizens about the scientists who risked everything during the freedom movement, their struggles and achievements. The contributions of thousands of unsung scientists and science communicators who were also involved in the freedom struggle of India cannot be forgotten. These bright minds faced discrimination and negligence at the hands of the British and despite extremely challenging and unfavourable circumstances, these scientists and science communicators kept on working for the development of the nation and the society.
The government has also initiated interactions with successful start-ups especially those from the tribal community. On the occasion of ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’, Dr Jitendra Singh announced 30 Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs for Scheduled Tribes by end of 2022 for their overall socio-economic development. India currently stands at 46 th position in the Global Innovation Index and it is due to growing investments in the area of innovation, scientific output and strategic expenditures in Research and Development. So, while science is universal, technology must be local for providing indigenous solutions in the spirit of ‘Vocal for Local’, the minister maintained.
The birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda is now being celebrated as the ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ and, this year, the government initiated steps to set up STI Hubs in different parts of the country for Scheduled Tribes (STs). The idea is to promote scientific talent among tribal communities. According to Dr Singh, out of 75 proposed STI Hubs for SCs/STs, 20 have already been established by Department of Science and Technology which will directly benefit 20,000 people through various interventions spreading across farm, non-farm and other allied livelihood sectors.