While delivering the keynote address at the opening function of the 2020 16th Annual Grand Challenges Meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the future will be shaped by societies that invest in science and innovation.
“The future will be shaped by societies that invest in science and innovation. But this cannot be done in a myopic way. You have to invest in science and innovation well in advance, ”said the prime minister. “That’s when we can reap benefits at the right time.”
While speaking about the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic during his speech, Prime Minister Modi said: “It has taken a global pandemic for us to realize once again the importance of teamwork.”
During the introductory speech at the annual meeting, which was to be held this year in India, American business mogul Bill Gates spoke about the coronavirus pandemic and how different scientists around the world are working to develop the vaccine for the new disease.
The prime minister addressed the event, which will run until October 21, via videoconference. The three-day program will bring together lawmakers and scientific leaders, calling for deeper scientific collaboration to solve global health problems, with special emphasis on the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The event, which is co-sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will feature leadership talks, panel discussions and informal virtual conversations on various topics.
These are the highlights of PM Modi’s keynote address:
– The future will be determined by societies that invest in science and innovation. But this cannot be done in a myopic way. Invest in science and innovation well in advance. That’s when we can reap benefits at the right time: PM Modi
– The journey towards innovations must be shaped by collaboration, public participation; Science will never prosper in silos: PM Modi
– This meeting was to be held physically in India, but under changing circumstances, it will be held virtually. Such is the power of technology that a global pandemic did not separate us: PM Narendra Modi
– In India, we have a strong and vibrant scientific community. We also have good scientific institutions. They have been India’s biggest assets, especially in recent months, as they battled Covid-19. From containment to capacity development, they have done wonders: PM Modi
– Today, we are seeing a decrease in the number of cases per day and the growth rate of cases. India has one of the highest recovery rates of 88%: PM Modi
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