The 103rd Indian Science Congress (ISC) began here on Sunday on a high note, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi coining a new mantra of "five Es" for enquiry and engineering by the scientific community.
"Impact of science will be most when scientists and technologists will keep principles of what I call 'Five Es' at the centre of their enquiry and engineering," Modi said after inaugurating the five-day annual science fair, about 140 km from Bengaluru.
The five Es are Economy, Environment, Energy, Empathy and Equity.
"Economy is when we find cost effective and efficient solutions, environment -- when our carbon footprint is lightest and its impact on ecology is least possible, energy -- when our prosperity relies less on energy and energy we use keep sky blue and earth green," Modi said in his inaugural address.
Elaborating the other two Es, the prime minister said empathy would be when efforts were in tune with one's culture, circumstance and social challenges.
"Equity is when science advances inclusive development and improves welfare of the weakest," Modi told a galaxy of distinguished scientists, five Nobel laureates and hundreds of students at the semi-circular amphitheatre in the sprawling Mansagangotri campus of University of Mysore.
The five Es coincide with the centenary of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity - E=mc2, the world famous equation and mathematical formula published in 1916.
"We must recall the humanism that defined Einstein's thought -- concern for man and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavours," Modi said in his 30-minute address in English.
Asserting that nothing could be a higher duty in public life or as private citizens to leave the planet in a better state for future generations, Modi said all disciplines of science, technology and engineering should unite for the common cause.
Observing that it was a privilege to begin the New Year in the company of eminent scientists and technologies from across the country and the world over, Modi said the world progressed on human instinct to enquire, explore for knowledge and address human challenges.
"Our success spans from core of a tiny atom to frontier of space. We have enhanced food and health security and given hope for a better life to others in the world," he said.
Noting that people have inhabited many worlds with achievements in science and technology, the prime minister said uncertainty and despair of many living at the edge of existence have made the people look for a life of hope, opportunity, dignity and equity.
Exhorting the scientific community to meet people's aspirations, Modi said the richness of the country's tradition, consciousness of modern age and strength of the commitment to world should help it to choose the most sustainable path.
"The success of one-sixth of humanity will also mean a more prosperous and a sustainable future for the world. We can only do this with your leadership and support," he told an audience of around 10,000 people.
Besides Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, union Science and Technology Minister Harsha Vardhan and Bharat Ratna C.N. Rao, Indian Science Congress Association president A.K. Saxena and University of Mysore vice chancellor K.S. Rangappa were present on the occasion.
