Union Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Space Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that as every sector is increasingly becoming dependent on technology, awareness among stakeholders is essential for optimum outcomes.He made these suggestions while inaugurating a one-day workshop on CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) initiatives for science & technology led development in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Center here.Science & Technology is the priority sector of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under his dynamic leadership there is a visible change for the past many years in this field, Dr Singh said.While complimenting the organizers of the workshop, Dr Singh said that such workshops are the need of the hour as awareness is a must for optimum outcomes as the dependency of several sectors on technology is increasing day-by-day.He underscored that there is a need to commit ourselves to technological tools as there is no other option to compete without it.“Indians have had a strong scientific temper for ages and we have talent in abundance and with this talent India is bound to be the world leader in the technological sector. We ought to be the frontline leader of space technology and India is far ahead of many developed countries in this field,” the Minister said.
While commenting on the technological interventions in J&K, Dr Singh said the region can reap maximum benefits out of the technological interventions in different fields.He said after the 2019 constitutional arrangements, Jammu and Kashmir has been able to successfully implement programmes, schemes and other good practices of governance.He said that J&K has become pioneer of the purple (lavender) revolution in India after taking lead in the production of lavender in different parts of the UT.Dr Singh said that CSIR also provided support to J&K during the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to the infrastructure of RT-PCR machine, biosafety and also trained manpower. He said that two Industrial Biotech Parks are being established in J&K while giving details about the ongoing activities of CSIR in J&K.On the occasion, Secretary, DSIR and Director General, CSIR, Dr Shekhar C Mande delivered a presentation on science & technology led developmental initiatives of J&K.In his presentation, Dr Mande talked about the success story of CSIR Aroma Mission transforming lives in J&K and gave a detailed summary of the several activities under Aroma Mission. He gave a brief about the support to infrastructure development in J&K under the Purple (lavender) Revolution in J&K through floriculture activities.Chief Secretary J&K, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta; Director CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu; Principal Secretary Science & Technology, J&K, Alok Kumar also spoke on the occasion while as Vice-Chancellors of J&K Universities, senior scientists, professors among others were in attendance during the workshop.