Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded Indian scientists and said that India used to wait for years for innovations achieved abroad but now researchers are working shoulder to shoulder with their international counterparts. "They are working at the same quick pace," PM Modi said.
Addressing a meeting of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Society via video conferencing, PM Modi lauded Indian scientists developing made-in-India vaccine against COVID-19 and boosting other measures to fight the pandemic within a year of its outbreak.
Noting that the world is grappling with the biggest challenge in a century, PM Modi praised the scientific community, saying it is perhaps unprecedented that vaccines were prepared within a year.
“CSIR works as institutional arrangement to maintain system for science, society and industry in our country. This institution of ours has produced several talented scientists. Great scientist like Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar has led this institution,” PM Modi said during the address at the society meeting.
On the occasion, PM Modi reiterated his call for an "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-reliant) and strong India, saying the COVID-19 crisis may have slowed its pace but our resolve remains the same.
"From agriculture to astronomy, disaster management to defence technology, vaccine to virtual reality, India aspires to become self-reliant and empowered in every direction. India is leading world in fields of sustainable development and clean energy," PM Modi said.
He said India is now showing the way to the world in sustainable development and clean energy, and is playing an important role in progress in other countries with its role in software and satellite development.
(With inputs from PTI)
