Chandigarh, December 7: Haryana Chief Minister Sh 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 Sector-5, 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.
Youth, students, and scientists represent the generation that will transform India into a developed nation
Sh Nayab Singh 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.
Haryana honored to host the Science Festival for the second time
Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Sh 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, Sh Nayab Singh 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 Prime Minister Sh Narendra 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.
Science is not limited to laboratories but touches every sphere of life
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.
The government is prioritizing STEM education, AI and robotics, start-up development, cybersecurity, agritech, biotech, and space technology in its policies
Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana, despite being an agrarian state, is rapidly emerging as a center of science, education, and innovation. The government is prioritizing STEM education, AI and robotics, start-up development, cybersecurity, agritech, biotech, and space technology in its policies.
He said that cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, Panchkula, and Hisar are becoming major IT and R&D hubs in the country. Gurugram has already established itself as a leading center for IT, AI, and cyber technology. High-tech research and innovation centers have been set up in Faridabad and Panchkula, while cities such as Karnal, Hisar, and Rohtak are emerging as important hubs for agricultural technology and climate services. Recently, the Mahabharata-based Anubhav Kendra developed in Jyotisar, Kurukshetra, has opened a new chapter in science tourism.
He further said that universities and technical institutions in Haryana are conducting cutting-edge research in drones, biotechnology, machine learning, robotics, environmental science, and space studies. Farmers in Haryana are also increasingly adopting sensor-based irrigation and practicing climate-smart agriculture.
The Government aims to make Haryana a leading state in the country not only in industrial development but also in science-based development
The Chief Minister said that their goal is to make Haryana a leading state in the country not only in industrial development but also in science-based development. To foster students’ interest in science, a Science Talent Search Scholarship Scheme is being implemented in schools. Under this scheme, 1,500 students studying science in Classes 11 and 12 receive a scholarship of Rs 1,000 per month. Undergraduate students receive Rs 4,000 per month, while postgraduate students receive Rs 6,000 per month.
In addition, a separate scheme has been introduced to honor students who win medals or participate in the International Science Olympiad, under which cash prizes of up to Rs 5 lakh are awarded. Similarly, gold medal winners of the Junior Science Olympiad are given cash prizes of up to Rs 2.5 lakh.
The Government is also encouraging young scientists
The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government is also encouraging young scientists. For this purpose, two eminent scientists above the age of 40 are honored each year with the ‘Haryana Vigyan Ratna’ award, while two distinguished scientists from the state below the age of 40 are conferred the ‘Haryana Yuva Vigyan Ratna’ award annually.
Present on the occasion were Secretary DBT Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Joint Secretary Ministry of Earth Sciences Sh D.S. Pandian, National Organizing Secretary of Vigyan Bharati Dr. Shiv Kumar Sharma, General Secretary Sh Vivekananda Pai, Director IITM Dr. Suryachandra Rao, Executive Director of the Indian National Science Academy Dr. Brijesh Pandey, Scientists from Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr. Jagveer Singh and Dr. Vinu Valsala, Media Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh Praveen Atrey, scientists, representatives of Indian science institutions, Industry representatives, researchers, start-ups, and students.
