Chandigarh, December 7
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini urged scientists to take science beyond the walls of laboratories and ensure that its benefits reach the last person in society. He said that science brings true prosperity only when knowledge helps a farmer increase crop yield, when research cures a patient’s illness, and when innovation empowers an entrepreneur.
The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest on the second day of the four-day 11th India International Science Festival, being held in Panchkula. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Students’ Science and Technology Village at the event, describing it as the “New Nalanda” of modern India. On this occasion, he also visited the science exhibition and showed keen interest in the latest technologies in the fields of science and innovation.
Saini said that science is not just a career but a medium for nation-building. Interacting with youth, students, and scientists, he said that they are the generation that will shape India into a developed nation. He urged all scientists, research institutions, industry partners, the start-up community, and young innovators to work together to create a science-based development model that provides a better quality of life to every citizen, gives India global leadership and ensures a sustainable and environmentally responsible future for the planet.
Saini expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh for giving Haryana the opportunity to host this major science festival for the second time. He said that more than 40,000 participants from India and abroad are taking part in this four-day ‘Science Mahakumbh’. The Chief Minister said he was pleased that special attention has been given to the youth particularly from Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and the northern and western states so that every region of the country can move forward together on the path of scientific progress.
This science festival is a significant step toward fulfilling the Prime Minister’s resolve to make India a developed nation. Referring to the Science Festival, Saini said that it is a confluence of science, innovation, start-up energy, future technologies, and the aspirations of a New India. He said that the theme of this year’s festival, ‘Science for Prosperity for a Self-Reliant India’, is extremely relevant. He said that Modi has pledged to make India a developed nation by 2047, and under his leadership, the country is progressing at an unprecedented pace in the field of science and technology. India has emerged as one of the leading nations in lunar, solar, and space research, as well as in areas such as quantum technology, deep-tech, AI, drones, and biotechnology. He said that this Science Festival is also a concrete step toward fulfilling the Prime Minister’s resolve to make India a developed nation.
The Chief Minister said that events like the India International Science Festival send a clear message that science is not confined to laboratories. It is present in the fields, in factories, and in our villages. Science is in our mobile phones, healthcare services, education, and governance—in every sphere of life. Today, science forms the foundation of policy-making, and new technology is the driving engine of development. He added that another key objective of this festival is to showcase India’s scientific excellence on the world stage under the able leadership of the Prime Minister.
