Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced today that India is set to have a robust National Research Foundation (Anusandhan NRF), which promises to be a significant transformation in research and development. This foundation aims to integrate the public and private sectors, including industry and academia.
Dr. Singh made these remarks during a meeting with Dr. Sethuraman Panchnathan, Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation, who is currently visiting India. Dr. Jitendra Singh, who holds multiple portfolios including Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, emphasized the substantial scientific talent in India. He noted that the missing element has been an enabling environment to foster scientific development and motivate individuals in research and development.
Under the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Singh stated that India now has the supportive milieu necessary to drive revolutionary changes in science and technology. He highlighted the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for innovation, such as implementing the National Geospatial Policy and relaxing drone regulations to encourage private sector participation.
The Anusandhan NRF is envisioned as a bridge to facilitate collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to bring together the best of both worlds and foster multinational collaborations for developing world-class technological innovations. Dr. Singh also pointed out the opening of the space sector to private players, which has led to a significant rise in space startups and notable contributions to the industry.
In addition to space technology, Dr. Singh highlighted India’s advancements in next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum technologies, asserting that India is on par with the rest of the world in these areas.
Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that the scale and quality of research currently underway in India, driven by Prime Minister Modi’s vision, will propel India from being the fifth-largest economy to the fourth, and eventually to the third-largest economy. He also discussed various areas for potential scientific collaboration with Dr. Panchnathan.
Dr. Sethuraman Panchnathan commended India’s efforts to bring about transformational change in research and development, as well as its commitment to futuristic projects and technologies. He congratulated Dr. Jitendra Singh for his steadfast support for international collaboration in the scientific sector and extended his best wishes for India’s future endeavors.
This development marks a significant step towards positioning India as a global leader in science and technology, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth through strategic research and development initiatives.
