Special Service and Features
Scientists must focus on the challenge of providing basic amenities at affordable costs: Union Minister Dr. Subhas Sarkar in Chennai
“Scientists must commit themselves to addressing problems of affordable healthcare, housing, clean air, water and energy, agriculture productivity and food processing.” This was stated by Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Union Minister of State for Education in IIT, Madras today. He was addressing the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship  scholars followed by a discussion on the book titled “Modi@20: Dreams meet Delivery”.
During his speech, the Minister said, by imparting quality research in various higher educational institutions, not only the vision of development through innovation in cutting edge science and technology will be realised, but the goal of self-reliant India in this Amrit Kaal will also be achieved. “While science is universal, technology must be local for providing solutions relevant to the local needs and conditions”, he added.
The success of science is based on the achievement of two objectives- generation of profound or disruptive knowledge; consumption of that knowledge for socio economic good, he emphasised. Dr. Subhas Sarkar said, “As we push our discovery science system, we must also focus on innovation and startups.” He also spoke about the role of Atal Innovation Mission in this regard.
Following this event the Union Minister inaugurated the Public Policy workshop at the IIT campus. While addressing the gathering he said, “Public policies are formulated and implemented to attain the objectives which the government has in view for the benefit of the masses in general.” Elaborating on the significance of the New Education Policy 2020, he said it focuses on developing teacher-training programmes, pertaining to the needs of the 21st century which in turn will play a huge role in improving the quality of teaching in schools.
In order to ensure that students possess the necessary skills to face the emerging and future challenges, the Minister urged the participants to learn the skill sets and art of policy-making which will help the nation reach the target of Viksit Bharat . Dr Subhas Sarkar informed the gathering that the NEP aims to offer all higher education courses through online medium by 2030, which will be a boon for those students living in remote places with less or no access to physical classrooms.
Later, the Union Minister of State for Education inaugurated the Capacity Building programme for registrars of IITs, IISCs and IISERs which was attended by the Secretary of Capacity Building Commission, Government of India Shri Hemang Jani and the Director of IITM Prof. Kamakoti. In his speech, the Minister said Indians are setting up new standard for a self-reliant economy through various commercially viable, societal and humanistic interventions, in innumerable innovative frontiers of science and technology. Through these efforts, India is progressing on the path of becoming a self-reliant nation, he added.
He called upon the academicians to act as ambassadors of “Bharat” to promote the achievements made by the country in the field of education. Recalling the recently concluded Kashi Tamil Sangamam, Dr Subhas Sarkar said the ultimate purpose of conducting such events is to celebrate the historical, civilizational and cultural connection of the whole country, thus strengthening the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’.
The Capacity Building Commission  has partnered with IIT-Madras to propose training interventions aimed to make the office of registrars professionally competent and equipped with exceptional organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and excellent coordination with students, academics, and other staff to provide comprehensive coverage to administrative leadership.