​India will emerge as a major player in science world before end of 2017: Deshmukh

"Today, infant mortality rate has gone down to almost half of what it was sixty years ago; average life expectancy has more than doubled. To me, these are returns from science to people for the investments made then," he added.

Emphasizing that science and scientists have delivered solutions whenever challenged by national problems, Deshmukh said, "We solved the problem of food shortage through green revolution and milk shortage through white revolution."

"We look at tomorrow from where we stand today. We notice that world is turning into a large and connected village. Globalization has moved science, technology and innovation and dynamics of knowledge production to the center stage of development. Social contract of science is much more evident today than ever before," he added.

Deshmukh further expressed hope that the investment into R&D will be increased from present level of less than one percent to two percent of the GDP.

"Emerging Asian economies are increasing their R&D investments markedly. China files five times more patents than India per billion dollars of GDP. The private sector engagement and investment are essential for gaining from the R&D outputs through their commercialization," said Deshmukh.

"We need big ideas in science, new methods in governance of R&D systems, right investment of resources, aspiration to emerge as world leader in science and dedication to serve the people of India through the tools of technology and affordable innovations," he added.

Deshmukh called for the formulation of a new and well enunciated Science, Technology and Innovation policy.

"Our science and technology policy was enunciated in 2003. We need a new and well enunciated Science, Technology and Innovation policy. It should promote an innovation ecosystem that addresses the national priority for inclusive and sustained growth. My Ministry will dedicate to the Nation such a well balanced policy soon. To make sensible use of the bio-technological tools and techniques for the benefit of our people, we are establishing a transparent and evidence-based regulatory system," said Deshmukh.

"We must present paradigm shift in our mindsets of developing 'policy for science'' to developing 'science policy for people'. Current Indian policies treat the R&D sector in segregated compartments. A change in the policy paradigm for treating the entire R&D sector in the country as one and developing PPPs for R&D to promote public and social good are important new strategies. R&D outputs should be converted into measurable economic and social outcomes," he added.

Lauding the hard work done by the Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Ministries, Deshmukh said, "My ministries are working hard to enable the Indian science, technology and innovation system deliver what the nation and people of India expect from us. This is period of positive developments in Indian science. Our ministries are initiating several new programmes. The Ministry of Earth Sciences is launching a 'Monsoon Mission'. An Earthquake study through deep-borehole investigation in Koyna-Warna area of Maharashtra is also being initiated."

"A North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) is being established at Shillong by the Department of Science & Technology. Research on Himalayan glaciology is also being strengthened. CSIR is setting up a series of Innovation Complexes with world-class facilities for undertaking translational research in partnership with Industry, R&D Institutions and Universities. The first three of them will be positioned at Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai," he added.