‘Fruits of research must reach the common man’

Lauding the efforts of scientists and technologists, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday described it as a matter of pride for India to carry out space launches from Sriharikota at a much lesser cost compared with those of even advanced countries.

He said it was a big achievement for the scientists for having made the whole world sit up and take note of India’s space accomplishments.

Speaking after inaugurating the World Space Week celebrations at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, Mr. Naidu appealed to the scientists’ fraternity to enhance their efforts for the singular purpose of reaching the fruits of advanced research and space exploration to the common man.

Mr. Naidu said there had been no dearth of brilliance and knowledge since ancient times in India as there was enough proof of the vision and ideas put forward regarding supernatural weapons like ‘astras’.

The fact that these ideas were known across the land in those days was indisputable.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar, SHAR Director P. Kunhikrishnan and others were present.

Later, the Vice-President visited Nellore where he addressed the 49th Convocation of the Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University as chief guest.

He stressed the need for making agricultural doubly profitable by ensuring supply of water, inputs and also eventually good prices for the farmers.

Mr. Venkaiah Naidu said 64% population was dependent on agriculture even as the contribution of agriculture and its allied sectors had remained high to the gross domestic product.

Stating that the youth must be encouraged to take up cultivation, Mr. Naidu said it was indeed alarming that nearly 2% of the population was moving away from agriculture every year and this should be curtailed.

Mr. Naidu and Mr. Narasimhan also took part in the unveiling of the statue of Swami Vivekananda and tree plantations at the Askhara Vidyalaya near here.