President Ram Nath Kovind for bigger role of scientists in 'New India by 2022'

KOLKATA: President Ram Nath Kovind today hailed the commitment of scientists in nation building and said that they would have to now play a major role towards the realisation of 'New India by 2022'.

"I appreciate the commitment of scientists to the nation. You make India proud. I can say without doubt that you are true nation builders and have a major responsibility for the realisation of New India - an India that will achieve certain developmental milestones by 2022," Kovind said while addressing the 'Vigyan Chintan - Scientific Ecosystem In Kolkata' -- an interaction with scientific community -- held this evening at the Raj Bhawan here.

On the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement this August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked the people to take a pledge to free the country of problems like communalism, casteism and corruption and create a 'New India by 2022'.

Describing Kolkata as a city that has been "the capital of modern Indian science", the President said that New India would not be achieved without New Bengal, which could not be possible without the contribution of the scientific community.

"New India cannot be achieved without New Bengal. And neither New India nor New Bengal can be achieved without the scientific community here contributing in strong measure," he said.

The President stressed on the need to harness the scientific talent pool in West Bengal for the good of the state itself and convert the city into a tech hub of India.

"It is important to harness that scientific talent pool in Bengal for the good of Bengal itself. And to once more convert Kolkata into the tech hub of India that it was a century ago, or even 50 years ago," he said.

Referring to the contribution of scientists like JC Bose, SN Bose and Meghnad Saha and Acharya PC Ray from the state, he lauded the role of present day young scientists from West Bengal "to the furthering of science and of knowledge".

"To this day, young students from Bengal, young science graduates and scientists, young engineers and technologists, contribute so much to the furthering of science and knowledge. They do so all over the country and all over the world," the President said.

"There is truly something special about Bengal. On this soil, even a Swami devoted to spiritualism can have a sensitive appreciation for - and a fascination for - modern science," he said.

Stating that science has been India's intellectual trigger as well as force multiplier, Kovind said that in modern times, Kolkata and Bengal have played a central role in the process.

"Today, the challenge is to widen that culture to other geographies, both within the state and outside. As well as to deepen that culture by incubating a society that understands, encourages and embraces innovation - down from our leading scientific institutions to our schools and our educational system," he said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, Chief Secretary Moloy De, Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya, state Finance Minister Amit Mitra, Leader of opposition Abdul Mannan and BJP state president Dilip Ghosh were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.