Bhubaneswar: Science and technology should be harnessed to create lasting societal change while ensuring accessibility and welfare for all, said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the ‘Scientist Felicitation and Award Ceremony – 2023’ held at the Lok Seva Bhavan Convention Center on Friday.
Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi underscored the importance of grassroots research and scientific innovation in propelling Odisha toward economic and developmental excellence.
“If we aim to compete at the global level, we must leverage scientific discoveries to devise long-term strategies for human development. Advancements in science must be accompanied by progress in agriculture, healthcare, energy, education, and environmental conservation,” he stated.
Highlighting India’s remarkable achievements in space exploration—Chandrayaan, Aditya, Mangalyaan, and Gaganyaan—the Chief Minister said that Indian science has cemented its place on the world stage. He also noted the growing dominance of Indian talent in the IT sector and emphasized the role of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing science and technology.
Odisha, he announced, is making significant strides in deep-tech and frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics, and quantum computing. The state government will also focus on utilizing Odisha’s rich biodiversity for biotechnological research, particularly in bio-resources and traditional medicine. A key initiative in this regard is the establishment of the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor, which aims to harness the bio-resources of the Bay of Bengal and drive advancements in marine biotechnology.
To foster a scientific mindset, the government is also working on expanding STEM education by setting up a network of planetariums and science centers across the state.
During the event, Minister for Science and Technology, Food Supply, and Consumer Welfare, Krushna Chandra Patra, emphasized the growing public interest in science and its increasing influence on daily life. “Scientific advancement is synonymous with strength and power in today’s world,” he remarked.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished scientists for their contributions:
Senior Scientist Award: Prof. Raj Kishore Paramguru, Dr. Subhrangshu Sekhar Mohapatra, Prof. Krishna Chandra Mohanty, Dr. Raghupati Bhima Rao, and Prof. Malay Kumar Mishra.
Biju Patnaik Award: Prof. Kshirod Kumar Jena.
Pranakrishna Parija Popular Science Book Award: Rabindranath Majhi and Tulasi Swain.
Samanta Chandra Sekhar Award: Dr. Sanghamitra Samantaray, Dr. Bedangadas Mohanty, Prof. Subrat Kumar Panda, and Prof. Pinaki Dutta.
Young Scientist Award: Dr. Sarita Sekhar Pattnaik, Dr. Apramita Chand, Dr. Rajesh Kumar Prusti, and Dr. Sanjay Kumar Panda.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Chitra Arumugam, Principal Secretary of the Science and Technology, Labour, and State Employees’ Insurance Department, and concluded with a vote of thanks from Professor Ashish Kumar Mohanty.
The Chief Minister extended his best wishes to all scientists, expressing optimism that future generations will drive revolutionary advancements, making science more accessible and beneficial to society.
