PM’s address at the 99th Annual Session of the Indian Science Congress

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, addressed the 99th Annual Session of the Indian Science Congress, in Bhubaneshwar today. Following is the text in Prime Minister's address on the occasion:

"I am delighted to be here in Bhubaneswar for the 99th Annual Sessio¬n of the Indian Science Congress. Odisha is a most appropriate venue for the Congress as this year we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the UNESCO-Kalinga Prize set up by the Late Shri Biju Patnaik. Indian science owes much to the vision of our early nation builders who gave science a prominent place in our development planning processes.

"I congratulate Professor Geetha Bali for choosing, as the theme for the Congress, the role of Science and Technology for Inclusive Innovation with special reference to the role of women.

"It was a hundred years ago that Madame Marie Curie, one of the most outstanding scientists of the 20th century, won her first Nobel Prize. To honour her achievements, last year was declared as the International Year of Chemistry.

"Marie Curie blazed a trail for women in the world of science. But her work also exemplified her belief that science should, in the end, contribute to tangible social good. She helped to set up X-ray stations during the First World War and established the Curie Foundation which became a major force for the treatment of the dreaded disease of cancer.

"I have often spoken about the commitment of our government to give a boost to the science and technology sector in the country. We have taken several steps towards this end.