Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said that concerted efforts are needed to build and motivate a new genre of scientific talent and create an innovative eco system so that innovation becomes a way of life in knowledge institutions. Inaugurating the 98th Indian Science Congress at SRM University near Chennai, he said the time has come for Indian science to once again think big, think out of the box and think ahead of the times. He said the time has come for India to produce the Raman’s and Ramanujams’s of the 21st century. Listing the steps taken by the Centre for the development of the university system , Dr singh said in the last six years eight new IIT’s and give Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research have been developed to provide high quality education and carry out research in frontier areas of science. Dr Singh cautioned the nation to guard itself against tendencies of putting product of science to illiberal uses. Describing himself as one belonging to a generation that worried about the links between science and society, Dr Singh said the people had believed that scientific temper would help India make the transition from a traditional to a modern society. Union Human Resources Development Minister Mr Kapil Sibal in his address said, India must broaden its skill base beyond a few centres of excellence and foster innovation on a national scale to continue its climb in the global technology ladder. Stressing the need to create and enhance India’s competitive edge, Mr Sibal said for this to happen, quality and merit-based education for the entire population is a must. The Prime Minister presented awards to 27 eminent scientists including Nobel Laureate V. Ramakrishnan and Dr V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister. Over 7500 scientists from all over the country including Six Nobel Laureates are participating in the five day science conclave.