Shillong: Regretting that India lags behind even some newly-industrialising nations of Asia in research, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today pitched for a "new wave" of investments from private sector to provide stimulus to scientific development.
Contending that the government has laid down the foundation to foster research, Singh said young talent should be attracted and promoted to boost scientific research.
"The best science is done by young people. Our institutions must be receptive to the needs of the young people. They must promote younger talent and allow youth to lead," he said inaugurating the 96th Indian Science Congress at the picturesque North Eastern Hill University campus here.
Singh said the government can at best ease the supply side constraints on teaching and research and the demand side stimulus must come from institutions and the industry.
"India is lagging behind not just developed western nations, but also the newly industrialising economies of Asia," Singh said.
Citing the role of public investment in nuclear energy, space and defence related industry in creating a demand for science graduates, he said "we need a new wave of such investment from the private sector so that young people will be encouraged to seek a career in science.
The Prime Minister said while the government is doing its bit to ensure quantitative development, the leadership for qualitative development must come from the scientific community.
