State of ISBD fails to impress Vardhan
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 17 2015:
Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan laid the foundation stone of a Technology and Skill Development Centre (TSDC) inside the premises of the Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Takyelpat today.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying function, Dr Harsh Vardhan observed that Manipur can contribute a lot in the 'Make in India' campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sometime back.
He stated that his Ministry would take up certain policies for developing science and technology in the North East in consultation with the Prime Minister and other relevant Ministries.
Political leaders of India need to think out of the box if they are determined to put the country on a higher trajectory of development.
In order to enable the existing IBSD exploit the rich bio-resources of Manipur in a sustainable manner, the institute needs to be revamped together with installation of modern infrastructure, Dr Harsh Vardhan stated.
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Scientists, technocrats and researchers should not confine their activities to academic circles.
They should take pro-active roles in educating the masses about bio-resources as well as science and technology.
There is a growing need to organise more seminars, workshops and discussion programmes in order to educate the masses about the rich bio-resources of Manipur.
Stating that he was not impressed by the existing condition of IBSD, the Union Minister remarked that both the Union Government as well as the State Government seem to be unaware of the importance of such an institute.
Even if it takes time, maximum efforts would be invested to make the institute fully functional to its optimum level.
Presence of such an institute would definitely benefit the State a lot given its richness in bio-resources, Dr Harsh Vardhan asserted.
He also expressed keen desire to adopt public-private partnership model while taking up different projects so that the profits and other benefits given by these projects are shared equitably.
Stating that he had discussed with Chief Minister O Ibobi about setting up science cities in different districts of Manipur, the Union Minister asserted that special programmes would be initiated for development of science and technology in the North East region.
Extra attention should be given to enhance bamboo productivity of the State.
The Chief Minister has also been requested to pay more attention towards further developing the IBSD.
Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that he would come back to Manipur sometime later in order to check the progress of science and technology in the State.
He said that he would visit Assam and Meghalaya to check the progress of science and technology in the two neighbouring States.
Based on the experiences gathered during the tour of the North Eastern region, different projects would be taken up in consultation with different Ministries.
In spite of the State's limited resources, Manipur occupies a prominent place in the field of art and culture, and sports on account of Manipuri people's diligence, he remarked.
On the occasion of the foundation stone laying function, a table calendar published by IBSD was also released.