Buddha turns to scientists for help

Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, February 28, 2007

Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Wednesday urged Bengal scientists to help the state in boosting its agriculture output so it can keep pace with industrial progress.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the 14th State Science & Technology Congress at Jadavpur University, the chief minister showed his resentment with the Knowledge Commission and the insignificant role-played by the Centre to boost research. “Since Nehru, the Centre has promised to upgrade research facilities, but without much effect. Even the Knowledge Commission has not been able to raise our hopes.”
Urging the need for research, which can be applied in agriculture, Bhattacharjee said, “No civilisation has made progress depending solely on agriculture. We will have to turn our agriculture-based state into an industrial hub. However, we have to keep our agricultural growth rate intact, otherwise there will be a food crisis.”
Talking about agricultural hurdles, the chief minister zeroed in on inadequate irrigation, which is preventing fertile lands to be used as multi cropland. “Irrigation is a huge problem in South 24-Parganas. The rainwater is also not trapped, but flows to the Bay of Bengal. Rainwater harvesting will turn many of our districts into multi crop land and we want our scientists to help us out,” Bhattacharjee said.
Urging that there is no way to avoid globalisation, Bhattacharjee stressed that in such a scenario it will be important for a country to know its world ranking in science and technology. “No country can shy away from globalisation, but we need to create a level playing ground when it come to science and technology. Though we do more fundamental research in science and technology than China, but they are far ahead of us,” he said.
The state education minister Sudarsan Roychaudhuri also expressed concern that the brightest and the best are not attracted to research any more. “Centre’s role should be developmental, but it is focusing more on monitoring,” said Roychaudhuri.
Bhattacharjee also urged researchers to diversify use of jute and to make jute seeds available in the state. “With Nathula opening up to trade, our markets will be bombarded with Chinese silk. We have to upgrade our silk industry,” he said. Bhattacharjee also sought the help of researchers to fight against climatic change. “The scientists have predicted that a big part of Sundarbans will be under water due to global warming. The Shankarpur beach, for which we have plans to develop into a tourist destination will be eaten up by the sea. The researchers should help us in finding a solution to this problem,” he said.
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