The Hindu Business Line : ‘Nanotechnology will play key role in unknown future’

Bangalore, Dec. 6 Ruing the shortage of technical expertise and young talent in the country, Prof C.N.R. Rao, Chairman, Science Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and Honorary President, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, urged the youth to take up exciting challenges in the field of science and technology.

“Making money fast is a poor challenge. Do more exciting things in science and technology,” said Prof. Rao. One such field of science and technology that promises to usher in an exciting uncertain future is nanotechnology, said the renowned professor while addressing the inaugural function of ‘Bangalore Nano 2007’ – a two-day event on nanotechnology and science, organised by the Karnataka Government.

Mr Rao said nanotechnology has created a big excitement in science and technology and “excited a generation of people.” “Whether it will revolutionise the world, we do not know. But there is excitement in uncertainty. And nanotechnology will play an important role in the unknown future.”

Prof Rao was conferred the first ‘Bangalore Nano National Award’ at the event in recognition of contributions to the field of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology (a technology that manipulates and organises matter on a nano scale) has been causing quite a stir of late. So much so that it has also caught the attention of the Government too. It has been announced earlier that the Centre will provide support of Rs 1,000 crore towards nanotechnology. It has also proposed to set up three institutes for nano science and technology – in Bangalore, Mohali and Kolkata.

The Karnataka Government has earmarked 14 acres of land for this institute, with a grant of Rs 100 crore from the Central Government. A vision policy on nanotech will also be drawn by the State.

Sensing an opportunity in nanosciences and materials research, the European Union has also come forward to join hands with India to set up the ‘EU-India Co-ordinated Call for Proposals on Computational Materials Science.’ This venture, which will receive a €5 million funding from EU and India, hopes to woo the participation of research organisations from both regions.

Bangalore Nano is proposed to be an annual event that will attempt to bridge the gap between research and industry. The conference is being structured by a “vision group” headed by Prof. Rao.

Mr Rameshwar Thakur, Governor of Karnataka; Dr Patrice Millet, Programme Officer, European Commission; Mr M. N. Vidyashankar, Secretary, Department of IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka and Mr Rakesh Singh, Director of IT and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka were also present at the inauguration.

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