SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE VALEDICTORY FUNCTION OF THE CENTENARY YEAR CELEBRATIONS OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE

Bengaluru, 8th May, 2009

I am very pleased to be here at the Valedictory function of the Centenary year celebrations of the Indian Institute of Science. Set up as a research institution, it has, in 100 years become a premier national institution in scientific research and development.

The idea of a research Institute was conceived by and implemented with the financial support of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, encouraged by Swami Vivekananda and given land by the then Maharaja of Mysore. It acquired a formidable reputation very soon after its setting up in 1908. I am told that when in 1914 Lord Willingdon, the then Governor of Bombay and later Viceroy, visited the Institute he remarked that he did not know that there was anything like this in India. The Director of the Institute, profiling the uniqueness of the Institute, had responded by saying as our Hon'ble Chief Minister has already quoted that there was nothing like it in India or anything better in Great Britain. That shows the confidence, the vision and the enthusiasm with which our Indian scientists were devoted to this great institution. This was the stature of your institution then. It has continued to maintain a high standard and has the onus to carry forward the tradition of excellence.

The basic truism, understood by the founders of this Institute, was that it has been inventions and innovations that have had a remarkable impact on the thinking process and the living patterns of the human race. If the discovery of fire in the Stone Age altered human existence dramatically, the subsequent introduction of the wheel revolutionized travel and transport and, in our own times, the rapid strides in information and communication technologies have shrunk the world into a global village, and promoted the development of knowledge societies. In India, we have witnessed the marvels of the discoveries of Science and Technology in the development of the nation. The Green Revolution, for example, resulted in enhanced agricultural productivity and India moved from a situation of facing the spectre of starvation to achieving self-sufficiency in foodgrains.

Today, it is countries which have a strong scientific and research base, who occupy positions of prominence in the world. They are also leaders in finding solutions for the diverse and complex challenges that confront us ranging from climate change to water shortages to the new viruses that pose a threat to human health. They will have cutting edge technologies. It is imperative that we as a nation invest more energy and resources in innovations so that we too can have a competitive edge in diverse fields. Pandit Nehru often reminded the nation that, "Science is the spirit of the age and the dominating factor of the modern world. Even more than the present, the future belongs to science and to those who make friends with science and seek its help for the advancement of humanity."

The contribution of the Indian Institute of Science to the progress made by the country is tremendous. In its ten decades of existence our greatest scientists and engineers have been associated with it - Professor C.V. Raman, Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan are some of the prominent names. It is evident that the main minds of the Indian space and nuclear programmes have all been associated with this institution. I can only say that it was a proud moment for India when last year Chandrayaan-I was launched.

Our achievements stand testimony to the capability and capacity of India's human resources. They have time and again, in different parts of the world, and in different disciplines demonstrated an agility of mind that is capable of breaking through new frontiers of knowledge. Even in less favourable situations they have proved their mettle. I am reminded here of an anecdote of Professor C.V. Raman. Once he noticed that one of his students was rather depressed. On questioning, the student responded that in his experiment he was struggling with a one kilo watt X-ray tube while scientists in UK were working on the same problem with a 5 kilo watt tube. Professor Raman said the solution was simple - put in a 10 kilo watt brain power for your experiment. Professor Raman had great faith in the brain power of India's researchers, as indeed, we have today. I would urge all of you to put in your very best into research as the solution for many of today's problems lies in scientific and technological responses. It is also important that our youth be encouraged to pursue science disciplines as we work to make India a developed country and a superpower leading in scientific and technological innovations beneficial to humankind.

Climate change and global warming are causing changes in weather patterns and threatening ecological balance. As a consequence, the landscape for agriculture and human activities will change. The use of natural resources on a sustainable basis and, in a manner that does not cause pollution or only limited emissions, would need environment friendly technologies and newer sources of energy. This would depend upon green inventions being made available for extensive use at affordable costs. Can this challenge to develop new technologies be taken up by our scientific community?

In recent times we heard about diseases till now unheard of - HIV/AIDS, avian flu, SARS, mad-cow disease and most recently swine flu or H1N1 influenza. New viruses are mutating and generating new strains of infections. The international scientific community, medical scientists and countries are faced with containing and dealing with them in a coordinated manner. National healthcare systems are required to respond rapidly to these new infections. In developing countries this is to be undertaken in a situation where medical facilities are overburdened, limited and have constraints of accessibility. Can we find timely antidotes and vaccines to combat new diseases as also provide adequate and affordable healthcare to all citizens of the world? Can the research requirements of the various branches and systems of traditional and modern medical fields be met? The welfare of human beings will increase immensely when the marvel of science will cure ailments in as non-intrusive a manner as possible, with as less expense as possible and by following preventive approaches.

Scientific research requires dedication and commitment as well as availability of funds. It is also important that there is an effective connectivity between the laboratories and user level. It is only when we see the positive results of technology in the growth of societies and in the lives of people, can it be said that the purpose of science has been served. The message of Mahatma Gandhi, when he visited the Institute of Science in 1927, was to remind that the end purpose of discoveries should be the welfare of the poor. I would like to repeat it and urge you to keep this in mind as you study and do your research. In India, we are committed to bring about inclusive development of the country. Science also must work for the welfare of the marginalized and, indeed, for the masses. The widespread use of scientific ways of working and, indeed, developing a scientific temper in the country are critical inputs for building a progressive and equitable society.

I have had the occasion to interact with some of our women scientists and have been deeply impressed with the work that they are doing whether in brain research or missile development or space technology. They should be helped to develop their talents and to undertake research work. A congenial atmosphere for women scientists at the work place needs to be provided as also family support extended to them. This is because they have a dual role - professionals at work and mothers at home. As an Institute in which women have studied and have been associated since its early years, I am confident that women will continue to receive encouragement and support here.

An aspect that needs attention in technological advancement is how to prevent the possibility of its misuse. Diagnostic tests like pre-natal understanding of a baby to detect abnormalities were misused for gender determination and female foeticide. Then there is the instance of rise in cyber crime where the "hackers and attackers" are collecting critical and sensitive information and, thus, acquiring the capacity to cause economic sabotage and indulge in cyber espionage. Legal systems and awareness will play a part in securing technology and preventing its misuse but can there also be a scientific mechanism devised for securing technology and making it burglar proof? Terrorists pose a grave threat to the world. As they operate and find sanctuary in remote and difficult terrain, tracing them is a complex operation. What can be the contribution of science and technology to the fight against terrorism? I leave these as thoughts with you.

Science has a social responsibility too. In this context, I will mention growing trend of drug addiction and alcoholism, particularly among the youth, as an issue that is causing large scale social and economic disruptions. Can researchers look at possibilities of de-addiction through safe pharmaceuticals or technical devices? This in another thought I would like the scientific community to reflect on.

The Indian Institute of Science has a solid foundation and it conducts studies in a wide gamut of disciplines. It has continuously added newer programmes to keep abreast with the ever changing needs of society. Alongwith detailed study in specific fields, it is important to promote inter-disciplinary studies so that linkages and comprehensiveness can be maintained to solve socio-economic issues. The hallmark of a strong institution is that as it grows it adapts to change and yet preserves the basic commitment to contribute to the development of the nation.

I am confident that the Indian Institute of Science will continue to provide leadership in enhancing the standards of science education in the country to meet the future challenges. You should be in touch with other Universities and help them to update their courses. Your work should also be an inspiration for the new science institutions being set up in the country.

In conclusion, I wish to convey my best wishes to the Indian Institute of Science as it enters its next century which coincides with the 21st century, when India seeks to be a leader in the knowledge world.

Thank You.

Jai Hind.