New Delhi: Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh today addressed the platinum jubilee celebration of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), organized here at the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D).

Addressing the gathering at IIT-D, Dr. Singh said, "This is indeed a major milestone for the Indian National Science Academy as few institutions of science have achieved it so far in India. It gives us an opportunity, both, to celebrate its role in furthering the cause of Indian science over more than seven decades and, perhaps more important, to look forward to the future, towards the looming centenary of the organization."

Indian scientists had already begun to excel in science as Sir C. V. Raman had won the Nobel Prize for his work in Physics four years before the INSA came into existence. Professor Jagdish Chandra Bose also demonstrated the power and utility of microwaves.

Many others, like Srinivasa Ramanujam, P. C. Ray, S. N. Bose, and Meghnad Saha had made their seminal contributions before India became independent.

Globally, science was then primarily pursued for creation of knowledge and scholarship formed the main driving force for scientific research. India was no exception and Indian scientists did solve many pressing national problems.

Today, the world is moving rapidly towards knowledge-based societies and economies. The pace of scientific and technological transformation all over the world has accelerated beyond expectations.

"INSA has played a major role in the process of scientific development. We value its role as an apex body, advising the government and the country on issues relating to the development of science and technology," said Dr. Singh.

"I will expect institutions like INSA to reflect on ways to combine expansion with excellence. At the same time it is important that we raise the standards of science teaching and research uniformly so that we are not left with islands of excellence in a vast sea of mediocrity."

Dr. Singh expressed his worries as the centre of gravity of scientific research appears to have moved away from universities and assured to provide financial support to the scientific community.

"I believe that we need to examine our curriculums and our approach to teaching and to research. We must ensure that our universities and our leading institutions keep up with the very best in the world and impart education on par with them," added Dr. Singh.

The Present India derives its strength from its composite culture, youthful population and specillay from its democratic way of life and the freedom of thought.

"It also derives its strength from its huge pool of talent, from its scientists and technologists, its knowledge workers and its millions aspiring to a better life through better education and better opportunity," further added Dr. Singh.

"We need our scientists to take the lead and help us to create a world in which we are able to combine the advance of the knowledge society and the challenge of providing adequate food, good health care and nutrition, housing, energy and environment security to all our people."

At his concluding remarks, Dr. Singh said, "I hope that when the time comes and INSA celebrates its centenary, it will have the satisfaction of knowing that it was able to chart new pathways and to play its part in transforming India into one of the world's leading powers, a truly equitable, knowledge society able to fulfill the potential of its youthful, aspiring population."