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New Delhi : Science & Technology, and Earth Sciences Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on February 17, 2018, lamented several basic problems in India still remain even after 70 years of independence.
Addressing Prof Ramalingaswami Fellows Conclave in New Delhi, he said, ” It is pathetic the country could not overcome some of the basic problems like malnutrition and anaemia.” However, he said that Indian scientists have capability to solve these unsolved problems of the country.
“There are some basic problems in this country even after 70 years. So much nutritional foods have been developed in the labs, still we have the problem of malnutrition and anaemia. When I visit all these nutrition labs – Hyderabad, Mysore, etc, I see so much research taking place there, but still the country continues to suffer from many problems,” said Dr Harsh Vardhan.
The Minister said a large number of scientists have returned to India accepting fellowships for research in various fields of science and technology. He said 290 scientists have come back under the Prof Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship and taken up research assignments in India and there are quite a few success stories, according to a PIB release.
The fellowship was conceptualized with the aim of attracting highly skilled Indian researchers working overseas in various cutting-edge disciplines of biotechnology – agriculture, health sciences, bio-engineering, energy, environment, bioinformatics and other related areas, by providing them an attractive avenue to pursue their R&D interests in Indian institutions.
Dr Meenakshi Munshi, Adviser in the Department of Biotechnology, said the yearly intake of scientists has been increased from initial number of 10 fellows to 50 and very recently increased to 75 from the current financial year, while their fellowship amount has also been enhanced. During the five-year fellowship period, Rs 10 lakh each is given during the first and second year, Rs 7.5 lakh in the third and fourth year and Rs 5 lakh in the fifth and final year. The incumbents would also get an institutional overhead expenses of Rs 50,000 annually. She said about 75 % of the researchers have been absorbed in various scientific institutions/universities.