President Pranab Mukherjee today launched IMPRINT India, a joint initiative of country's top educational institutes, aimed at developing a roadmap for research to solve major engineering and technology challenges relevant to India today.<br/><br/>The initiative is based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's suggestion that research done by institutions of national importance must be linked with immediate requirements of the society at large.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mukherjee said it is necessary to develop in our students a scientific temper, which allows the flight of imagination beyond the realm of grades and classrooms. He said, the objectives of this initiative is to identify areas of immediate relevance to society requiring innovation, direct scientific research into identified areas, ensure higher funding support for research into these areas and measure outcomes of the research effort with reference to impact on the standard of living in the rural and urban areas.<br/><br/>He called upon the academic leaders of institutes in social sector and humanities' domain to formulate a similar joint initiative like IMPRINT India for conducting research on themes of relevance to public policy-making.<br/><br/>Addressing the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today emphasised on indigenous manufacturing to help slash the defence budget by 50 per cent within a decade as India imports defence equipment in large quantity. He also stressed on developing local technology to help people deal with daily challenges as well as the need to provide a proper environment and mobilise resources to encourage innovation. Mr Modi said society is becoming technology driven and it is essential to look towards affordable technology.<br/> He also released an 'IMPRINT India' brochure and handed over the first copy to President Pranab Mukherjee.

President Pranab Mukherjee today launched IMPRINT India, a joint initiative of country's top educational institutes, aimed at developing a roadmap for research to solve major engineering and technology challenges relevant to India today.<br/><br/>The initiative is based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's suggestion that research done by institutions of national importance must be linked with immediate requirements of the society at large.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mukherjee said it is necessary to develop in our students a scientific temper, which allows the flight of imagination beyond the realm of grades and classrooms. He said, the objectives of this initiative is to identify areas of immediate relevance to society requiring innovation, direct scientific research into identified areas, ensure higher funding support for research into these areas and measure outcomes of the research effort with reference to impact on the standard of living in the rural and urban areas.<br/><br/>He called upon the academic leaders of institutes in social sector and humanities' domain to formulate a similar joint initiative like IMPRINT India for conducting research on themes of relevance to public policy-making.<br/><br/>Addressing the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today emphasised on indigenous manufacturing to help slash the defence budget by 50 per cent within a decade as India imports defence equipment in large quantity. He also stressed on developing local technology to help people deal with daily challenges as well as the need to provide a proper environment and mobilise resources to encourage innovation. Mr Modi said society is becoming technology driven and it is essential to look towards affordable technology.<br/> He also released an 'IMPRINT India' brochure and handed over the first copy to President Pranab Mukherjee.