Harsh Vardhan: Scientists need to be proactive

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 17

Union Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has called upon scientists to be proactive in their work approach to hasten the pace of development in the country even as he praised the Dehradun-based Indian Institute of Petroleum for its research and development in alternative fuels.

Addressing a gathering of scientists and researchers at the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) in Dehradun today, Dr Harsh Vardhan said the role of scientists was vital in order to ensure that the ‘Make in India’ movement was a success. Dr Harsh Vardhan appreciated the achievements of the IIP in producing clean diesel out of plastic and polythene. He also referred to the campaign undertaken by him in Delhi in the past against polythene menace.

The Union Minister also welcomed the Indian Railways’ move to set up plants to manufacture diesel from plastics using technology developed by IIP scientists. He appreciated the institute’s scientists for production of low-carbon jet fuel from inedible and drought-resistant jatropha plant.

Underlining the need to reduce dependence of fossil fuel, Dr Harsh Vardhan said the nation needs to go in for alternative sources of energy. This is essential not only to reduce dependence on oil import—on fossil fuel, but also to get environment-friendly energy.

“Our cultural heritage has been one of the most environment-friendly one. Our villagers have used cowdung cakes as fuel for thousands of years. Now, with the help of our scientists, we can revert to our original mindset of preservation,” he underlined.

The Union Minister also inaugurated Advanced Tribology (science dealing with friction and lubricant) Research Centre with an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore at the IIP. Director General of Council of Science and Industrial Research (CSIR) Dr MO Garg, Dr Sudeep Kumar, Dr SM Nanoti and Dr SK Sharma were among those present on the occasion.