By IANS,
Chennai : India led the world in science more than 1,000 years ago and time has come to lead the world again, Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said here Monday.
Speaking at the 98th Indian Science Congress at the SRM University in Kattankulathur near here, Stalin said: “More than 100 Fortune 500 companies have set up their research and development (R&D) centres in India. Now the time is right to take advantage.”
Expressing concern at the dwindling interest of students in mathematics and science owing to lack of career opportunities, Stalin said: “We have to increase the standard and quality of higher education. There is shortage of funds for research and the funds allotted are meagre.”
He also said that incentives should be provided to those in the private sector who take up research activities. There should be close interaction between society, research institutes, colleges and universities, he added.