Kolkata, Sep 14 (UNI) Union Minister of Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan today
made it clear that none could pose any challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the
coming General election.
As the Union Government has been facing a barrage of attacks from the Opposition on
the issues of fuel prices, depreciating rupee and Vijay Mallya, the Union Minister and
senior BJP leader ruled out any challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government.
Speaking during his visit to the CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute for the
curtain raiser function of the India International Science Festival 2018 (IISF-2018),
Dr Vardhan emphasised that Scientific Institutions of the country can be ideal platform for
youth minds to develop their latent talent.
He said President Ram Nath Kovind will open the IISF festival in Lucknow, which will go on
from October 5 to 8, 2018 .
The Minister launched the App of IISF 2018 also. He informed that Kolkata is hosting the
first curtain raiser among the 80 curtain raisers scheduled in the entire country before its
formal inauguration in October.
The Minister emphasised that the advancement of science and technology is driving
inclusive growth and requested the scientific organisations to work in synergy and in
coordination with stakeholders in the scientific value chain.
He said science should become a revolution and a subject for common man so that the
ease of learning leads to innovation and creativity in this sphere.
He remembered the great efforts of scientific fraternity of the city of Kolkata in
yester years with scientific discoveries by luminaries likes Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee,
Dr B C Roy, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Acharya Satyendra Nath Bose among
others.
He expressed optimism that the IISF festival in the coming year will be celebrated in
North Eastern Region or Kolkata (in eastern region) considering the enthusiasm of the
people in these regions towards science and technology.
Dr Vardhan stressed that Science and Technology is leading the growth in the sphere
of Knowledge Economy and Innovation coefficient of individuals are the buzz word in
the latest advancement in scientific domain.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government is encouraging advancement
in Stand Up India and Start Up India, whereby budding scientists and youth are encouraged
to develop their scientific ideas into products/services for the betterment of country.
He urged the visitors, scientific community, students to participate actively in the coming
India International Science Festival 2018.
UNI BM SJC