The Hindu Business Line : NRI scientists to help draft plan for sustainable development

“The convention will initiate process where scientists and technocrats in India, their counterparts abroad and grassroot workers can work together and demonstrate carrying the developmental process forward,” Dr Kakodkar said.

Our Bureau

Pune, July 8 Eminent scientists in India have announced plans to hold the first ever Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats (GIST) convention to help chalk out a plan where technology can be the basis for sustainable, inclusive development.

The meet, to be held in Pune during December 16-18, aims to establish a channel for harnessing the intellectual wealth of scientists of Indian origin living overseas, to create a vision and prepare a road map for sustainable development in Maharashtra. The conference is envisaged as an annual event that will be subsequently held in other States to address area-specific problems.

Amongst the members of the organising committee are Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Dr R.A. Mashelkar, former Director, CSIR and Dr Vijay Bhatkar.

Working together

“There are at least 2 lakh NRI scientists, more than even those in India. Because the best of them left, 90 per cent of the intellectual energy is outside the country,” Mr Mashelkar said. “We want to think disruptively to get technological solutions for our problems, and help design the new India of our dreams through this network. This conference will sensitise scientists and expose them to the challenges we have,” he added.

As an example of how technology can aid development, he narrated how fishermen’s lives have changed after satellite images helped identify locations of fish and messages were relayed to their cell phones.

“The convention will initiate process where scientists and technocrats in India, their counterparts abroad and grass-root workers can work together and demonstrate carrying the developmental process forward,” Dr Kakodkar said.

State support

The first GIST convention is supported by the Government of Maharashtra, which celebrates its golden jubilee next year, with the Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Chavan, consenting to be the chief patron.

The three-day convention will include plenary sessions, public lectures, ideas showcase and conferences on 11 tracks such as food and agriculture, urban management, water and natural resources, energy and industry and infrastructure.

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