New Delhi: Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Ashwani Kumar has said that the country is proud of young budding scientists who have future of India In their hands.

Visiting the exhibits at National Level Exhibition and project competition under INSPIRE programme here, Dr. Ashwani told a young participant and inquired about her project and its implications and benefits to the society. Later he delivered prizes to the State level winners of this competition.

The Minister said, "The central aim of INSPIRE is that talented students must enroll into study of science and undertake careers with research in larger numbers than what is realized at present. Generation of much needed human resource for R&D is a time-consuming proposition. Schemes like INSPIRE address those needs in the long-term horizon. Children exhibiting their projects on this occasion are future science leaders of tomorrow. I am hopeful that several of you assembled in this hall will take to the study of science and explore careers with research. This is much a needed long term investment."

He added that, "Innovation and research has to be relevant to our daily lives and give benefits to masses. The world's future is associated with science and technology and our children must be given encouragement to pursue science and technology. To leverage fully the untapped potential of India, we must strive to remove compartmentalization among knowledge and wealth creation sectors. There must be greater synergy between the two. Research should lead to new discoveries. Technology must provide new solutions to national problems of water, agriculture, energy and environment, health care related challenges etc. Innovation should provide this country global leadership."

"While gaining global leadership in science is extremely important, solving national problems through applications of science and technology is equally critical. Our educational systems must condition and prepare the minds of our children to solve problems through what is termed as solution science."

INSPIRE bears the right scale and size for the country, connecting with and involving the age group of 10-32 years. It provides assured opportunity for careers with research for post- doctoral scholars. More than a million are connected through this scheme over a period of five years.