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Mumbai:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the 102nd session of Indian Science Congress at the University of Mumbai today.

MUMBAI: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Saturday morning inaugurated the 102nd edition of the Indian Science Congress hosted by the Mumbai University.

 Modi called for the need to rekindle the love for science and technology and the relaxing excessive regulations and cumbersome procedures for our universities to give a boost to research.

 "Our scientists should be able to explore the mysteries of science and not get stuck in government procedures," said Modi. He added that our research is restricted to central agencies but it must be made broad based. "We have to place the university system at the cutting edge of the research and development activities in the country," he added.
PM Narendra Modi at the inauguration ceremony of 102nd Indian Science Congress 2015. (PIB photo)
Speaking about the great work of Indian scientists, Modi said, "Just as children see sportsmen as role models, scientists should also be the same. Parents should feel pride in their children becoming scientists." He also lauded the work by ISRO for putting Mangalayan in the mars orbit in the first attempt.
 He linked a nation’s progress and development to science and called for efforts to make sure that the arms of science and technology reached the poorest, remotest and most vulnerable person.

 The PM also felicitated Nobel laureates and Indian scientists on the occasion.

These are the highlights:

Before beginning my speech I would like to pay tributes to Shri Vasant Gowarikar
It is a great honour to participate in the Indian Science Congress. I thank University of Mumbai for hosting it
I feel humbled by the work that scientists do. And, I find science and technology an invaluable ally in governance and development
Human civilization has advanced because of the basic human spirit of enquiry and quest for understanding our universe and world
It is a search driven by the belief in what our Vedas described as, Satye Sarvam Pratishthitam - Everything is established in Truth
Science may be the product of human brain. But, it is also driven by the compassion of human heart -the desire to make human life better
We have here with us Nobel Laureates, whose work in science has given new hope against dreaded diseases
Science and technology has helped reduce poverty and advance prosperity

A nation’s progress and its human development are linked to science and technology
Science & technology can also remove national barriers, unify the world and advance peace
When we speak of science & human dev, we cannot divorce it from questions of political decisions, social choices, equity, ethics &access
Human development has been larger purpose and driving force of India’s scientific pursuits. And, science has helped shape modern India
Our scientists have placed us at the forefront of the world in many areas
Whenever the world shut its door on us, our scientists responded with the zeal of a national mission
When the world sought our collaboration, they reached out with the openness that is inherent in our society
Our achievements give us pride, but they do not blind us to the enormous challenges that we face in India
There is a mood of optimism for change in the country, the energy to pursue it, and, confidence to achieve it
But, the dreams we all share for India will depend as much on science and technology as it will on policy and resources
To me, the arms of science, technology and innovation must reach the poorest, the remotest and the most vulnerable person
Our investments in science & technology are far too concentrated in the agencies of Central Government & must become more broad-based
Have placed science and technology at the forefront of our diplomatic engagement.
Our children should see role models in scientists as much as sportsmen.
I would personally love to meet the best of our young scientists.
We should draw inspiration from our achievements in the last decade.

We need to put science and technology and innovation at the top of our national priorities.
Digital connectivity should become as much a basic right as access to school.
Our long term global competitiveness will not depend on what others are doing but the process of sustained development and innovation.
Arms of science and technology must reach the poorest.
Ease of doing research as important as ease of doing business.