Dec 17 2008
Vice President Hamid Ansari today said that public funding for scientific and technological research and development should aim at enhancing public welfare and economic development.Inaugurating the second Bangalore Nano Conference here, the Vice President said, "The new science and technologies focus on the ability to image, measure, model, and manipulate matter on the nanoscale. Nanoscale science, engineering, and technology promise new materials and applications across many fields. These include clean and affordable energy, filtration systems, medical devices and drugs, more efficient lighting systems, detection of harmful chemical or biological agents and cleaning of hazardous chemicals in the environment."
He said that realising and exploiting the full potential offered by nano-technology depends on intensive and broad-based collaborative research.
"The Government is aware that capacity building in this upcoming area of research will be of utmost importance. Last year, the Nano Mission was launched as an umbrella programme for capacity building which envisages the overall development of this field of research and to tap some of its applied potential for the nation’s development," he added.
The Vice President further said that as part of the Nano Mission, research on fundamental aspects of Nano Science and training of manpower would receive prime attention, adding that "It will also strive for development of products and processes for national development, especially in areas of national relevance like safe drinking water, drug delivery."
He said that the mission would seek to forge linkages between educational and research institutions and industry and promote Public Private Partnerships. It has been structured to achieve synergy between the national and international collaborative research efforts of various agencies in Nano Science and Technology and launch new programmes in a concerted fashion.
He further highlighted the three aspects of c developments in the country, first, there should be recognition that public funding for scientific and technological research and development is premised on the promise for enhancing public welfare and economic development.
"Second, we need to realise that new and revolutionary technologies always come as a package - with the promise of new opportunities and the threat of new risks. Third, nanotechnologies encompass a wide array of sectors ranging from aerospace to pharmaceuticals, national defence to miniature art," he added.