 The minister's arrival at the venue, the ceremonial robing of the procession has happened. The procession has come up to the dais and any moment now on, we expect honorable prime minister to be on the dais. We have the beautiful visual of honorable prime minister in the ceremonial rob in which he will inaugurate the 107th Indian Science Congress. Here we have honorable prime minister along with other dignitaries and also the minister of science and technology Dr. Harsh Burjan together and they are seated and we will follow and take on from the dais from the lime commentary. Namaskara. We wish you all a happy and prosperous 2020. It is our tradition to invoke the blessings of the Almighty before venturing into any activity. I request Jyoti, Vidya, Yashika and Anusha to render the invocation song. Please. Thank you very much for the melifluous rendition of the shloka. May I now request Dr. K. S. Rangapa, General President Iska and Dr. S. Rajendra Prasad, Vice Chancellor of UAS Bengaluru too present a momento to the honorable prime minister. Please. Thank you, sir. May I now request Dr. S. Rajendra Prasad, Vice Chancellor to present a momento to Dr. Harsh Burjan, Honorable Minister for Science and Technology, Government of India. Please. Thank you very much. May I now request Dr. K. S. Rangapa, General President to present a momento to Honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri B. S. Edyurappa. Please. Inventions, innovations and developments in science and technology alter the way people live and work and in turn pave the way for economic development. Iska strives to bring under one umbrella all the foot soldiers of this radical progress and provide a platform for exchange of ideas. May I now request Dr. K. S. Rangapa, General President Iska, Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry and National Academy of Sciences who has 10 patents including molecules that are in clinical trials in the area of cancer to deliver the welcome address. So please. Elrigo Namaskara. Good morning, everyone. Honorable Prime Minister of India, Sri Narendra Modi, Honorable Minister of Karnataka, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Edyurappa, Honorable Minister of Science and Technology, Government of India, Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Professor Rajendra Prasad, Honorable Ministers of both Government of India and Government of Karnataka, Members of the Executive Council, Indian Science Congress Association, Dignities of the Dias, Delegates, Invitees, Students and Members of the Media. Today is a historic day in the annals of the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK campus Bangalore. Far on the heels of celebrating the golden jubilee of its fruitful service, the university is hosting the most prestigious 107th Indian Science Congress, taking the annual Science Jambore several natchas up. The Organising Committee led by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Prasad, and everyone connected with this great science festival, must be immensely happy that our Honorable Prime Minister of India, Sri Narendra Modi, is inaugurating the 107th Indian Science Congress. Established in 1914, Indian Science Congress Association is the premier organization that represents India's entire scientific community. Beginning with modest 105 members in 1914, ISCA has grown into a strong fraternity with more than 60,000 members as-and-date. For the last 106 years, the annual Meet of Indian Science Congress has been witnessing a unique confluence of the scientific fraternity and sorority who share the platform to discuss the key issues pertaining to various streams of science and technology. The recommendations resulting out of this brainstorming offer a framework for formulating science policy for the nation. The focal theme of the 107th Indian Science Congress is science and technology rural development. In the change scenario, the rural development has gained greater importance than in the past and its contribution to the development of the country. It's a strategy package to achieve enhanced rural production and productivity, greater socioeconomic equality and aspiration and balance in social and economic development. Our Honorable Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Bojiji has contemplated on this subject very deeply and he has implemented many schemes which have already begun to yield results. His vision embraces both the most technologically advanced urban India and the most potential and progressive rural India. In a spirit of bridging the two worlds to obtain an India, we always dreamt of. The Prime Minister's words ring with undeniable truth when he said, for the development of the nation, the prosperity of farmers is essential. Without an empowered farmer, the dream of new India will remain unfulfilled. When the Prime Minister rose on the horizon, the birth of a new dawn was heralded. Centuries of gloom was lifted from our midst. The breeze of optimism is blowing everywhere in India today. We are witnessing the convergence of the power of the man and the power of the moment. Nothing is impossible when such a convergence takes place. The Honorable Prime Minister is leading from the front to usher in all-round development of our nation. My humble appeal from this platform is that our Prime Minister should turn his attention a little bit more on science and technology. If he encourages this domain with his magic touch, science will bloom in this country like never before. Only our Prime Minister, see Narendra Modiji, can accomplish this task. And his name will remain as long as the sun and moon shine in their celestial spheres. Recording our deepest gratitude to our Honorable Prime Minister, see Narendra Modiji, I extend a warm welcome to you, sir, on behalf of the organizing committee and also on behalf of the entire scientific community. Our Honorable Chief Minister, seen Edyrapaji, is a strong-willed leader who is leading our state, orienting it to its old glory as an enlightened, progressive and prosperous state. I extend a hearty welcome to see Edyrapaji, our Honorable Chief Minister. Dr. Harshavardhan, the Honorable Minister of Science and Technology, Government of India, is a silent achiever known for his calmness and balanced approach. He is a highly respected central minister in the present cabinet. As Health Minister earlier, his polio eradication plan was adopted by the Government of India and exercised throughout the nation. Former Prime Minister, see Atalbeer Vajpayee, ji described him as fastyavardhan, that speaks volumes of the Honorable Minister's achievement and distinction. I welcome Dr. Harshavardhan ji very warmly. The Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Raja Rajendra Prasad, has left no stone unturned in making the 107th Indian Science Congress the most memorable one. He possesses a commandable leadership, quality as he has succeeded in enlisting the support and cooperation of his colleagues and many government agencies. He is extremely happy that all his efforts are being blessed by our Honorable Prime Minister. I welcome Prasad Rajendra Prasad very warmly. I deem it an honour to welcome President-elect Shri Mati Vijay Lakshmi Saxena ji along with all the council members of the Indian Science Congress Association. It's an honour to acknowledge the presence of Professor Stefan Hell, the Chemistry Nobel Laureate of 2014 who has come from Germany and Professor Adha, you know the Chemistry Nobel Laureate in 2009 who has come all the way from Israel. I extend a warm welcome to both the Nobel Laureates. On this historic occasion, when our Honorable Prime Minister is inaugurating the 107th Indian Science Congress, eminent scientists, industry leaders, technocrats, innovators, academicians, policy makers, delegates and students have graced this occasion. I extend a warm welcome to all of them and members of the media on behalf of the organizing committee and on my own behalf. I welcome everyone present here. Thank you, Anandal. Thank you. Thank you very much. We pay heartfelt respects to Maharani of Mysore, Dr. Lehman, Dr. Leslie Coleman, Shri M. Vishweshwarya whose visions initiated the first farm school in Bengaluru. Their earnest wish has grown into a proud premier agriculture university, UAS, Bengaluru. May I now request Dr. Harshvardhan, Honorable Minister for Science and Technology, Government of India, recipient of Director General's Polio Eradication Champion Award, Commendation Medal from the World Health Organization to address the Congress. Sir, please. Respected Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Respected Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Yadiyu Rappaji, Professor Rangappa, President Indian Science Congress, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Vice Chancellor of this prestigious university, all the past presidents of Indian Science Congress Association, all the distinguished scientists, researchers, teachers, guests, students and my esteemed colleague in the cabinet, Shri Sadanand Gauda Ji, all the distinguished ministers of the Karnataka government and our esteemed Nobel laureates from Germany and Israel and friends from the media. At the outset, let me extend a very hearty welcome to all of you and this very beautiful, very prestigious Science City Bangaloreu on behalf of all the scientists of the country and by ministry and of course our Prime Minister and also wish you a very, very happy new year. I was just wondering that this is this gathering of scientists. It is probably the only gathering in the whole country which starts its new year, every year, year after year with the blessings of the honorable Prime Minister of the country. Apart from two occasions, as far as I know, one was in 1971 and another one also, right from 47 till today from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Ji to our dear Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. You had the blessings of all the Prime Ministers of this country. This is, I think, very, very unique thing for us and we are extremely fortunate in that sense that we start our new year with a blessing from the Prime Minister. Friends, our Prime Minister has always said that the road to progress and inclusive and sustainable development goes through science and its applications, whether they are in health, whether they are in food, whether they are in energy, whether they are in environment, whether they are in transport, whether they are in water, whether they are in agriculture, whether they are in any other field. This he has said on a number of occasions that makes our relevance most important for the country's progress. I am reminded of the 104th Science Congress when Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji mentioned two things. He mentioned about the Scopus Data Index and he reminded us and he told us that India has achieved sixth position in the whole world in terms of its scientific publications. At that Science Congress, he had also predicted that by 2030 India will become the top two, three scientific nations of the whole world. Today I feel pleasure in informing this honorable August gathering that recently the National Science Foundation of America has declared that we have stepped up the ladder and we are now third in the whole world in terms of our scientific and engineering publications. Our Prime Minister had also mentioned at the same forum that we have a lot of challenges and the most important challenge that he addressed before us was about improving the quality of fundamental research, also the technology translation and also about its societal connect. Today when I am in Bangalore, I feel pride in informing this August House that our prestigious institution, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute for Advanced Research Studies has been rated as the seventh best institution in the whole world in terms of its quality of fundamental research. Friends, we are indeed privileged to have a Prime Minister who is a very visionary person, who sets goals for the whole country in every field, converts those goals into policies, programs, develops visionary programs, involves everybody into their implementation and then monitors meticulously their implementation. Now he has a very important dream that he has seen for all of us. Number one, a new India by 2022. Another one is a five trillion economy by the year 24-25. Now I think it is our duty as scientists to strengthen the deep foundations of scientific research and the science applications to ensure that we have a fast, rapid, sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth in this country which is backed by our efforts. As far as the Ministry of Science and Technology is concerned, we are strengthening the quality of research improvement concept by ensuring that we empower our young students, women, scientists, young scientists. Also, we strengthen the technology development. Also, we create an end-to-end startup ecosystem for the country. Also, we bring in the best of global science for our young people to India and also to ensure that we strengthen the academic as well as the lab, as well as the industry, as well as the societal connect for the betterment of our people and also sharing of scientific resource and science communication. You will be happy to know that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in terms of whatever we could develop as innovation ecosystem in the last fifty years till 2014, we could develop the same amount of innovation ecosystem in the last five years itself. In fact, we could double that of what we could achieve in fifty, sixty years. And now, you will only recall that at the 2015 Science Congress, Prime Minister had specifically used the word scientific social responsibility. And you will feel happy in knowing that now, at the moment, our Department of Science and Technology is in the advanced process of developing a policy, how we can actually fulfill our scientific social responsibility. All of you have knowledge, all of you have manpower. And now, with that knowledge and the manpower and the experience that you all have, and of course, you have the institutions with yourself, you have the infrastructure with yourself, we have to ensure that all of us now ensure that we reach out to the widest spectrum of all the stakeholders in science, whether it is a young boy, whether it is a farmer, whether it is a small company, or anyone who can contribute through science for the betterment of this country and of course the whole world. To add to this, we have missions for the future, like cyber-physical systems, deep ocean studies, deep ocean technologies, energy storage issues, quantum systems, and also the latest issues like gene editing, artificial intelligence, etc., etc., to ensure that we provide a strong foundation for our younger generation for competing with the rest of the whole world. And I think this moment should be an important moment for all of us to take a pledge to support and blend our dream, to have a new dream, blend our dream with the Prime Minister's dream so that we can help him in delivering a new India and also a five trillion economy. Last year at the Science Congress in Punjab, our Prime Minister did one very revolutionary and encouraging thing for us. We were reminded of Atal Ji when he added Jai Vigyan to Jai Javan and Jai Kisan. Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, had the vision to add Jai Anusandhan to that. And I feel that the next decade should be the decade of Vigyan Se Vikas Dasak. And in this Science Congress, we should go back with renewed energy, renewed zeal, renewed enthusiasm and a revisited dream of ours to deliver the new parameters for India so that we can bring back smiles on every Indian's face through science. Thank you so much for a patient hearing. Thank you very much, sir, for sharing your vision for the development of science and technology in the future. Scientific research in India might be stimulated if an annual meeting of Indian research workers is held, an idea, resolute efforts worth being etched in golden letters in the annals of countries' scientific progress. We salute the four sides of Professors J. L. Simonson and P. S. Mackmohan. May I now request Honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri B. S. Edyuropa, a popular mass leader and an able administrator to address the gathering. So please. Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, Honorable Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Harshavartanji, General President of Indian Science Congress Association, Professor K. S. Rangappa, Vice Chancellor of University of Agriculture Science, Bangalore and Chairman of Organizing Committee of Indian Science Congress, Professor S. Rajendra Prasad, distinguished scientist, guests and delegates, friends from media, ladies and gentlemen. It is an honour and privilege to the state to hold this highly prestigious 107th Indian Science Congress. On behalf of Government of Karnataka, I extend warm welcome to you all to Bangalore. This year's focal theme is Science and Technology, Rural Development. This theme reminds us of the fact that we have to utilize the resources available with extraordinary care keeping in mind the future generations. Our Honorable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modiji, has set a target to double farmers' income by 2022. Our government in the state is also focusing on this mission on Honorable Prime Minister. Karnataka has been the hub of science and technology. On this occasion, I would like to mention that Karnataka is one of the first states to establish S&T Council in the country to implement science and technology based solution to local needs of the state, particularly for the rural population. Value addition to the crops grown, packaging, preserving the crops and agricultural products are some of the areas which can make big difference in the lives of farmers, providing basic facilities like electricity, connectivity, healthcare services, education to the remote areas or some of the challenges that could be addressed by science and technology to a great extent. I hope the deliberation in this event would focus on making difference in the lives of rural India both socially and economically. Government of Karnataka is also keen on the outcome of this event which could be implemented for the betterment of the rural Karnataka. I wish the Science Congress a great success. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, sir, for sharing your noble thoughts. Government of India has been generously funding R&D efforts at academic institutions and desires that such facilities be made available to those needing them. ISTEM, an inventory of resources, has been developed by Centre for Nanoscience and Engineering, IASC Bengaluru. This facility can boost R&D productivity and enhance the effectiveness of public investment. May I now request Honourable Prime Minister Shree Narendra Modiji to launch the ISTEM portal, Sir, please. Thank you very much, sir. For the first time in Indian Science Congress, contribution by the farmers to progress in the field of science is being discussed, shared and appreciated. Hence, the focal theme of this year's Science Festival has been Science and Technology for Rural Development. May I now request Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shree Narendra Modiji, who has the scientific spirit in his thinking and economic progress through rural development close to his heart to deliver the inaugural address. Sir, please. Thank you very much for listening to us today. Thank you. Chief Minister Siyedi Rappaji, my cabinet colleague Dr. Harshvardhan ji, participants of this ISTEM Science Congress, from India and abroad. students of science, friends to begin with, I wish you all a happy 2020. May this year be marked by prosperity in your lives and productivity in your lives. I am particularly happy that one of my first programs in the start of a new year and new decade is linked to science, technology and innovation. This program is happening in Bangalore, a city associated with science and innovation. The last time I had come to Bangalore was when the eyes of the nation were set on Chandrayaan 2. That time the manner in which our nation celebrated science, our space program and the strengths of our scientists will always be a part of my memory. Friends Bangalore, the city of gardens is now a wonderful field for startups. The world is coming to innovate here. Research and development has developed an ecosystem in which every young scientist, every innovator, every engineer has a dream. But what is the basis of this dream? Is it just our own development? Is it our own career? No. This dream is connected with the feeling of showing something for the nation, making our achievement our nation's achievement. And hence when we start year 2020 with positivity and optimism of science and technology, driven development, we take one more step in fulfilling our dream. Friends, I have been told that India has gone up to third position globally in the number of peer reviewed science and engineering publications. It is also growing at a rate of about 10% compared to around 4% which is the global average. I'm also happy to learn that India's ranking has improved in the innovation index to 52. Our programs have created more technology business indicators, incubators in the last five years than in the previous 50 years. I congratulate our scientists for this achievement. Friends, the growth story of India depends on its success in the science and technology sector. There is a need to transform the landscape of Indian science, technology and innovation. My motto for the young scientists each, these countries each innovate, patent, produce and prosper. These four steps will lead our country towards faster development. If we innovate, we will patent and that in turn we will make our production smoother. And when we take this product to the people of our country, I'm sure they will prosper. Innovation for the people and by the people in the direction of our new India. Friends, new India got technology we need and logical temperament be so that we can give a new direction to the development of our society and the art of life. My motto for the young scientists is that the work of the Indian society is a big part of the science and technology sector. Now, as the development of information and communication technology is being made in India, cheap smartphones and cheap data have ended a big privilege. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. I'm sure the people of India are convinced that they are connected to the government and their voice is reaching the government directly. Friends, we are continuing our efforts to ensure the ease of doing science and effectively using information technology to reduce rate tap. Today, farmers are able to sell their products directly to the market without being at the mercy of the middleman. Digital technology, e-commerce, internet banking and mobile banking services are assisting rural populations significantly. Today, farmers are getting the required information about the weather and forecast at their fingertips through many e-governance initiatives. Friends, in the development of India, especially in rural development, we have to make technology useful. In the coming decade, in India, there will be a decisive time for science and technology-based governance. Especially, cost-effective agriculture and farm-to-consumer-beach supply chain network will have the opportunity to bring technology to the world. This is going to be directly related to the village, the village and the environment. All of you know that in the rural areas of India, a major science and water life mission has been launched to bring water to every household. The power of this science is also technology. Now, it is your duty to recycle water and reuse it to develop effective and cheap technology. In a way, water governance is a new frontier for you. You have to be able to use the water that comes out of the house and use it for farming. You have to make cheap and effective solutions for this. We will have to prepare seeds that are full of food and reduce the use of water. In the country, the soil health cards that have been given, the use of that data, how to work in the field of daily farming, we will have to think about this in a new way. The biggest thing is that the loss in the supply chain to our farmers is very important to save them from it. Friends, the importance of the village is one more important thing. Our farmers and middle-aged people, while changing the MSMEs, their strength is also connected to all of you. Now, take the matter of single-use plastic. The country has taken the risk of getting rid of single-use plastic so that we can save our farmers, our crops, our fish, our soil. But you have to find some new solutions for the cost of plastic. Whether it is metal, soil or fiber, the solution of plastic will come out of your supply chain. With the help of plastic waste, we need a new technology, a new solution. The solution that you will give to our farmers, our soil farmers, the wood farmers, will be able to get rid of it in the market. With this, we will save the environment. And we will be able to grow our crops. Friends, for the green, circular and sustainable economy in the villages, for the rural and rural conditions, for the summer peak and for the start-ups, the waste that comes out of crops and crops is also making a challenge with pollution and pollution. We will have to quickly try to change this trend in our wealth. Our challenge is that by 2022, we will be able to reduce the amount of waste by at least 10 percent. In the field of biofuel, ethanol and nitrogen, there is a lot of opportunity for start-ups. In this way, industry-based research will give us a lot of opportunities. We will have to divide every strike-holder among them. Remember, this is the purpose of India. To make India a 5 trillion dollar economy, it will lead to a huge loss. Friends, there is a need for revolution in technology-assisting agriculture practices. Can we find farmer-centric solutions to the problems of stock burning? For instance, can we also redesign our brinkings for reduced emissions and greater energy efficiency? We need to find better and faster solutions to the problem of clean drinking water supplies around the country. How do we prevent affluent and discharged from industries, from destroying our soil and our groundwater tables for years to come? Friends, another important point I wish to make is the significance of the make in India in medical devices to bring the fruits of advances in diagnostic to our people. Mahatma Gandhi once said, it is health that is the real wealth and not piece of gold and silver. To promote well-being, we should not only practice some of the traditional wisdom but also continuously enlarge its scope by introducing the modern tools and concepts of contemporary biomedical research. Our vision should be to protect people from the threats of dangerous communicable diseases like Nipang, Ebola. We must work overtime to fulfill the promise to eradicate TB by 2025. Globally, India is the leader in the supply of vaccines. We aim to develop India as a world-class hundred billion dollar bio-manufacturing hub by 2024. This will happen with right policy initiatives and support to innovative research, human resource development and enterprise. Friends, India must also develop a long-term roadway for sustainable and environment-friendly transportation and energy storage options. The latter becomes increasingly significant for grid management as we expand our renewable energy supply. This requires developing the new battery types which are based on earth-abundant environment-mine materials which are affordable and suitable for topical climates. Friends, the economic and social benefits of accurate weather and climate forecasting are immense. There have been considerable improvements in weather forecasts and warning services, especially in case of tropical cyclones. Our success in space exploration should now be mirrored in the new frontier of the deep sea. We need to explore map and responsibility, harness the vast ocean resources of water, energy and food. This requires developing deep strands in made submersibles, deep sea mining systems and autonomous underwater vehicles. This, I hope, will be made possible by a deep ocean mission. Being formulated by the Minister of Earth Science, friends, we know from science that the potential energy, the silent form of energy can move mountains by its conversion to the kinetic energy of motion. Can we build a science in motion? Imagine the enormous impact of a full translation of our scientific potential into record socio-economic development through relevant technology, innovation, startups and industry. Can we have this high-pressure stream, drive a high-speed engine of science and technology to navigate and connect the new India of opportunities? Friends, technology is the bridge between government and human beings. Technology is the work of communication in rapid and correct development. Technology has its own virus. Technology has its own bias. The reason is that when human sensitivity and modern technology coordination increases, unprecedented results arise. I am very confident that in the new year, in the new decade, we will be able to meet the new India's new attitude and new approach. Once again, I would like to thank all of you, the entire scientific community and your family. Thank you very much. Honorable Prime Minister, after listening to your words of wisdom and vision, the audience feels satiated, elated. We are grateful to you, sir. Thank you very much.