AGARTALA: Former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and renowned space scientist Prof U R Rao has called for a new ever Green Revolution based on the extensive use of precision farming using Bio-Technology and Space Technology inputs.
Addressing the 4th convocation of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala last evening where Prof Rao was conferred honorary Doctorate in Science (D.Sc), urged fresh graduating technocrats to face the challenge of providing adequate food, health care facilities, environment and economic security on a sustainable manner for meeting the demands of future generation.
He said, even based on optimistic assumptions, country’s population would cross 1.6 billion by 2050, which doubling of food-grain production and unless India achieve at least 8 per cent annual economic growth, hope of improving quality of life of commoners in next two decades would not succeed.
“The only solution to achieve national prosperity lies in the extensive application of S&T in all spheres of national development to enable the country to successfully compete in globalised economy,” Prof Rao attributed.
While addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Human Resource and Development (HRD) Kapil Sibal pointed out that recognising the growing need of quality technical education in northeastern region, the Centre had approved the proposal for conversion of as many as six engineering colleges into NIT and several other upgradation and establishments including IIM and IIIT were on cards.
“Our fundamental aspiration is to inculcate the values of professionalism and ethics in the engineering profession equipped with effective communication, team working and multidisciplinary skills, which were imperative to equip the students with a strategic advantage on the platform of lifelong learning and innovation,” Mr Sibal stated. (UNI)
