The Prime Minister said in a society like India, government must provide special incentives like scholarships to empower socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Speaking on the occasion of annual Infosys award ceremony in Mumbai, Dr. Manmohan Singh said the UPA government has taken several measures to provide scholarships to deserving students. He said, the students from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, minorities and girl child have specially benefited through these schemes to widen their knowledge base. Referring to Right to Education Act as the most important initiative of the government, he said, the barrier to knowledge for all in the shape of economic incapacity must be removed. Giving his own example of pursuit of higher studies through scholarships, Prime Minister said these tools liberate the young mind from economic and social handicaps.Referring to five streams of Infosys awards in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering and Computer, Life Sciences and Social Sciences, Dr. Singh said, India must make its mark in each of these disciplines. Lauding the young Scientists for pursuing the world class research despite inadequacies and constriants in the country, he urged others working outside to return to India to serve it better. Dr Singh presented the Infosys Science Foundation awards, which honour researchers and scientists from different disciplines. Earlier, after arriving in Mumbai, Prime Minister visited the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Trombay. Dr Singh, who is on a two day visit to Maharashtra, went around the Radiochemistry laboratory in BARC. During his half-an-hour tour of the strategic laboratory, Dr Singh was accompanied by the Atomic Energy Commission, Chairman S Banerjee and BARC Director R K Sinha.
News On AIR | January 6, 2011 8:16 PM
Govt should provide incentives to economically disadvantaged groups