Curtains down on Indian Science Congress : Governor highlights State's rich resources
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 19 2018:
Highlighting the State's resources including large varieties of medicinal plants, rich flora and fauna and the varieties of rare fish species, Governor Dr Najma Heptulla has called upon the scientists' community of the country to give a thrust to Manipur and the North East region.
She was speaking as the chief guest at the valedictory function of the 105th Science Congress which concluded today at Manipur University, Canchipur.
Observing that the responsibilities/tasks of scientists should encompass discovering the potentials of the country and tap them apart from doing research for new inventions, Dr Najma Heptulla asked the scientists fraternity in India not to forget that there is a little paradise known as Manipur in the North East region.
She remarked that India in the present age has made tremendous progress in the Field of science and the long standing question of whether India will ever emerge on the world stage has largely been answered.
However, she expressed her concern whether the future of science in India will be able to provide an open space for all its citizens.
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Asserting that the Government's endeavour is to spread knowledge and development to every part of the country and touch the life of every citizen, Heptulla opined that scientists and research scholars have a vital role in this regard.
She highlighted that Manipur is rich in bio-diversity and is listed among the top ten biodiversity hot spots in the world.
New species are being discovered day after day and there have been reports of finding new species of orchids in the State.
There may be many more species to be discovered and the State may need a wide scope of scientific applications for taking the State forward, she continued.
The Prime Minister in his speech at the inaugural function of the Science Congress had also urged the scientists to undertake research in the health sector, such as on the wild herbs in the North East, which have unique medicinal and aromatic properties.
Manipur possesses unexplored potential in the field of agriculture.
It also produces marketable surplus in a number of perishable commodities such as banana, pineapple, orange and tomato, Najma said.
She went on to suggest that one solution is the food processing sector and the State holds a lot of potential in this sector as the natural attributes including weather are conducive.
Science and technology can unlock these potentials of the State and it is in resonance with the theme of this edition of the Science Congress, that is "Reaching the unreached through Science and Technology", Najma added.
She also conveyed about the State's richness in the handloom and handicrafts sector, stating that it is the major source of revenue in the State and has the largest number of craft persons/artisans in the entire North East region.
Science and technology can bring about substantial change in this industry, she maintained.
The Governor stated that scientific temperament should be sustained and there should be continuity in their quest to enhance the condition of the people.
She also underscored the need to nurture scientific knowledge from the grass root level thereby infusing appropriate and adequate scientific knowledge and temperament to the school children.
She lauded the State Government and all concerned for extending their maximum support in hosting the Science Congress and dubbed the event a grand success.
The function was also attended by Yumnam Khemchand, Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, Professor Adya Prasad Pandey, VC, Manipur University, Professor Manoj Kumar Chakrabarti, general president elect, ISCA among others as the dais members.
Various awards, including "Young Scientists Awards 2017-18", "Best Poster Award", "Best Science Model" and "Pride of Indian Exhibition Awards" were conferred to many awardees from across the country during the valedictory function.