LIVE UPDATES: PM Modi to inaugurate 106th Indian Science Congress at Lovely Professional University (LPU) before mega rally in Gurdaspur, Punjab

Our former PM Lal Bahudar Shastri gave us the slogan - Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. 20 years ago, in his historic address at Pokhran, our great PM Atal ji spoke - Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan: PM Modi at Lovely Professional University 

The life and works of Indian Scientists are a compelling testament of integration of deep fundamental insights with technology development & nation-building: PM Modi

PM Modi listed out the victories attained in science in 2018, suggesting that there is still a long way to go.

He said, "2018 was a good year for Indian science. Among our achievements this year are, the production of aviation grade biofuels, 'divya nayan' a machine for visually impaired, inexpensive device for diagnosis of cervical cancer, TB, dengue." 

The Prime Minister hailed the national laboratories and pushed for a need for a developed research ecosystem. 

He said, "Our strengths in research and development are built on the backbone of our national laboratories, central universities, IIT, IISc, TIFR & IISER. However, over 95% of our students go to state universities and colleges. A strong research ecosystem must be developed in these Universities and colleges."

Speaking of the Gaganyaan mission, a spacecraft built in India, he said, "In 2022, three Indians would be sent to space in country-made spacecraft Gaganyaan."

He announced the government introduced fellowship called 'Prime Ministers Research Fellowship' which will choose 1000 bright minds from the top institutions in India and will be offered direct admission in Ph.D program in IITs and IISC.

It was the NDA government that took the historic decision to reopen the Kartarpur corridor. Two central ministers had also gone across the border to visit. Harsimrat Kaur Badal had led the delegation. But the whole country saw how Congress politicians upheld the interests of Pakistan.

Even today, they're spreading lies to debilitate and demoralise the forces, all at the behest of one family.

They're standing against Vande Mataram!

They're rewarding those involved in the (1984) riots with the chair of Chief Minister

- PM Modi

When Congress announced farm loan waivers in 2008-09, Rs 6 lakh crore debt was on the shoulders of the farmers. Instead of that amount, they only waived loans worth Rs 60,000 crore.

- PM Modi

They have a history of waiving loans of people who have nothing to do with farming.

Don't forget that small farmers who have 1-2 hectares of land and form the bulk of those in that occupation don't avail loans from banks, they get them from money-lenders. So who is the Congress fooling with farm-loan waivers?

- PM Modi

The Congress said Gareebi Hatao but neither gave farmers bank accounts nor roads or other infrastructure. It was under Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government that road connectivity began to be provided.

- PM Modi

In Punjab, 17 new cold storages are ready or are going to be ready.

In Bhatinda, an incubation centre in food processing (Indian Institute of Food Processing) has been set up.

I want to inform the farmers of Punjab and the country that the agriculture export policy finalised by the government will also benefit them immensely.

We want that farmers be able to add value to their produce, take their produce abroad, and thereby benefit.

In Punjab, along with farming, the other needs of the farmers and those in agriculture are also being looked at.

The AIIMS being built in Bhatinda is one such move.

Giving 11 lakh free gas connections is a part of this.

28 lakh Mudra loans have been given to youngsters. 

Today, about 99% goods or services have been brought into the 18%-or-below GST tax slab. Now the tax is also lower and you will also have a sense of how this impacts you directly.

The hope is that in subsequent meetings of the GST Council, moves will also be finalised to make the process of GST easier for small businesses and traders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 106th edition of Indian Science Congress at the Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab on Thursday. Following that, he will travel to Gurdaspur to address a rally.

The theme of the 106th Indian Science Congress is "Future India: Science and Technology"

Our former PM, Lal Bahudar Shastri gave us the slogan - Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. 20 years ago, in his historic address at Pokhran, our great PM Atal ji, spoke - Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan: PM Modi

It is time to take one step ahead. We must focus on research now. While Science is universal, technology should be local: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 106th Indian Science Congress in Jalandhar,Punjab