Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, MoS PMO, Department of Space, Department of Atomic Energy, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, addresses the 11th India Alliance Annual Conclave 2023 in Hyderabad. He emphasized the transformative role of Chandrayaan-3 and India Alliance in bolstering India’s scientific capabilities and international collaborations.
Chandrayaan-3: India’s Quantum Leap:
Dr Jitendra Singh hailed Chandrayaan-3 as the next significant milestone after India’s successful Covid vaccine campaign. He highlighted that the mission would reinforce India’s indigenous capabilities and solidify its position as a global player. The Minister underlined the quantum leap that Chandrayaan-3 would bring in India’s space exploration endeavors.
Indo-UK Science Conclave and Increasing Partnerships:
The Minister commended the Indo-UK Science Conclave, coinciding with the launch of Chandrayaan-3, as evidence of developed nations seeking India’s partnership in frontier sectors of science and technology. The conclave showcased the growing recognition of India’s scientific prowess and the desire to collaborate on a global scale.
Dr. Jitendra Singh recognized the impactful journey of the India Alliance over the past 15 years. This unique partnership between the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, and Wellcome Trust, UK, has significantly strengthened the research and funding ecosystem in India. The collaboration has enabled successful interventions in the biomedical and clinical research domain, bringing about substantial changes in the sector.
Promoting Excellence and Capacity Building:
The Minister highlighted India Alliance’s focus on excellence through generous funding schemes that have retained research talent within the country. These initiatives have positively impacted researchers’ career progression, professional development, capacity building, and technology, policy, and practice. Additionally, India Alliance has invested in research management capacity, strengthening India’s overall research ecosystem.
India Alliance has played a crucial role in fostering collaborations, both nationally and internationally. By attracting foreign collaborations from countries like the USA, UK, Australia, and France, Indian science and research have become more competitive on a global scale. Partnerships with esteemed organizations such as the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), Cancer Research UK, the African Academy of Sciences, and the Swiss National Science Foundation have further catalyzed international collaboration.
Empowering Clinicians and Public Health Research:
Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged the importance of clinicians engaged in research, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. He lauded India Alliance’s efforts in bridging the gap between basic, clinical, and public health research. The organization offers fellowships and grants to promote clinical and public health research, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
India Alliance has played a pivotal role in strengthening public health research infrastructure in India. It has supported research in One Health, multimorbidity, cardiovascular diseases, epidemiology of non-communicable diseases, and tribal health. The organization’s focus on public health underscores its commitment to addressing crucial health challenges in the country.
