Govt. committed to transforming TG into hub of scientific progress: Bhatti

The government is committed to transforming the State into a hub of scientific progress, said Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka at the Vijnana Darshini meeting held at Ravindra Bharathi on Friday.

Speaking as the chief guest at the 80th Scientific Temperament celebrations, he emphasised that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s administration is dedicated to nurturing scientific thinking across the State. The government aims to develop Telangana as a “laboratory for scientific development”, he said, noting that all Cabinet ministers are well educated and focused on ensuring the State competes globally in innovation and growth.

He credited India’s scientific foundations to Jawaharlal Nehru, stating that the nation’s current position would have been unimaginable without Nehru’s leadership as the first Prime Minister.

Reflecting on India’s early challenges after Independence, he highlighted Nehru’s focus on agriculture, industry, and mixed economic policies, along with his encouragement of scientific research through institutions like IITs, the UGC, and national laboratories. This vision, he said, laid the groundwork for India’s democratic stability and technological advancement.

“In the early 1980s, if I wanted to make a phone call, I had to go to Abids, book a trunk call, and wait for hours. Today, we are connected to the entire world through a mobile phone in our palm. This is the power of scientific progress,” he said. “If during disasters people are only told to light lamps or clap hands, this country would have gone astray,” he commented.

He noted that because of Nehru’s visionary policies, a peaceful transition of power was possible, after elections every five years. But, he remarked that societies become cursed when they are governed by people without vision.

Mr. Vikramarka outlined the ongoing initiatives such as the establishment of Young India Integrated Residential Schools in each Assembly constituency and the upgrading of ITIs into Advanced Technology Centres.

He added that the upcoming Skill University will further strengthen scientific temperament in Telangana’s emerging Future City. He encouraged educational institutions to launch science exhibitions and assured them full support from government.

Nehru’s ideals of democracy and scientific progress remain the guiding force for India’s future, he said.