Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday has said that scientists in country do t get eugh respect that y deserve for ir work and contribution towards development of country. Minister was speaking at an event at Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE) in Gwalior. He also mentioned that young scientists are an important asset of country and should be rewarded equately.

'Scientists deserve same respect'

Speaking at event, Defence Minister said, "People are t aware of contribution of scientists. scientists do t get respect y deserve while or people take that respect that our scientists deserve. Apart from major awards that are given to scientists for ir work, young scientists are important assets of our future and y should be rewarded."

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Rajnath Singh also mentioned that contribution of scientists is less than of Army, Navy, and Airforce and y play an important role in protecting our country as well. "You are doing great service to nation. If Army, Navy, and Airforce play an important role in protecting country, scientists have lesser role. Indeed y have biggest contribution," said Singh. He also ded, "I am sure that scientific community would continuously look into future, establish higher and higher goals and n work with full commitment and passion and achieve greater heights with each passing year."

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'Importance of invation'

Earlier on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India needs to focus more on research and development (R&D) and invation as it will help country in becoming self-reliant in defence production."In order to achieve desired objective, we have to become self-reliant in defence production and this can only happen through more R&D, invation, and creation of cutting-edge techlogies in defence sector," Minister said.

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Singh also inaugurated Engineers' Conclave 2019 as well as Product Development and Invation Centre at premises of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). " Indian defence industry in past h t performed to its full potential, which has led to country's overwhelming dependence on imported arms," he said during his speech at BEL.

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(with ANI inputs)