STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology, on Saturday, hailed India’s transformation from a follower to a leader in global science and technology during his address at the 8th Convocation of the Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR).
He attributed the nation’s growing scientific prowess to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted achievements in the space, biotechnology, and CSIR Purple Revolution sectors.
Dr. Singh presented Doctor of Science degrees to four distinguished scientists: Dr. Raghunath A. Mashelkar, Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Prof. Suresh Bhargava, and Dr. Thirumalachari Ramasami.
These luminaries were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to polymer science, genomics, chemical sciences, and chromium chemistry, respectively.
Dr. Singh commended AcSIR for its interdisciplinary approach, blending engineering, biosciences, medical research, and agriculture with emerging fields, positioning the academy among the top 3% of global universities despite its relatively young age.
He also praised the institution’s role in fostering industry-academia collaboration and driving India’s rise in global science rankings, especially with its Integrated PhD (iPhD) program, which links innovation and industry from the start of research journeys. The Minister also noted India’s success in space and biotechnology, citing the growth of over 300 space startups and nearly 9,000 biotechnology startups, which are vital to the nation’s economy. He celebrated women’s achievements in science, particularly the appointment of CSIR’s first woman Director General. Dr. Singh connected AcSIR’s initiatives to the government’s futuristic policies, such as the BioE3 Biotechnology Policy and quantum technology advancements, underscoring that India is now leading global technological development.
He concluded by emphasizing AcSIR’s partnerships with institutions like the University of Western Australia and AIST Japan, affirming the global competitiveness of Indian science and education. The convocation highlighted India’s growing role as a global leader in science and technology, aligned with the vision of a “Viksit Bharat 2047”.