Lighting up the lamp: (From second left) Honb'le CM of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah; Shri Srivatsa Krishna; Bharat Ratna Prof C N R Rao; and Nobel Laureate Prof Sir Andre Geim. (Photo courtesy: Indiannerve.com)
The two-day 6th Bangalore INDIA NANO conference kick-started on December 05, 2013, in Bangalore at Hotel Lalit Ashok, organized by the department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka.
The Indian Institute of Nano Science and Technology (IINSc) will be constructed at Tumkur Road, Bangalore, funded by the Government of India.
The event was graced by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah, Bharat Ratna Prof C N R Rao, FRS, National Research Professor and Chairman, Science Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, Nobel Laureate Prof Sir Andre Geim, FRS Kt, Regius and Royal Society Research Professor, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Manchester, UK, Shri Srivatsa Krishna, IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Planning and Statistics and Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka, Prof A K Sood, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and Shri Jagdish Patankar, MD, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communicaitons Pvt Ltd.
Mr Siddaramaiah in his address also said, "Nanotechnology has the ability to converge with other technologies to address challenges in energy and environment and many more like food security, energy security, waste management and health. The ultimate purpose of science and research is to address challenges faced by comman man. I'm confident that we'll focus on practical solutions."
The conference was made possible under the guidance of Vision Group on Nanotechnology led by Bharat Ratna Prof C N R Rao. Talking about India's up coming premier nanotechnology institute in the out-skirts of Bangalore, Prof C N R Rao expressed, "It'll be a center of excellence for nanoscience research and development. I'd like to invite scientists, entrepreneurs and researchers to come and do nanotechnology ventures in the state."
In his speech, Dr Srivatsa Krishna, said, "The next big thing is actually very small. The global nanotechnology market will increase from $11.7 Billion (2009) to an estimated $1.1 Trillion (2015), with a CAGR of 14.8%."
In 2011, China spent the highest in the area of nanotechnology research amounting to $2.3 Billion, followed by the United States at $2.2 Billion.
"Today, the nano market is valued at $140 Billion, however, there is a gap between innovation and mass-market application," Dr Srivatsa added.
"Karnataka awaits to embrace its nano future," concluded Dr Srivatsa.
Prof C N R Rao said, "Karnataka is known as the IT city. But first of all it is the city of science. I hope Mr Siddaramaiah will promote science and future technology in Bangalore city. We started a national Nano Mission about 10 years ago along with PM Manmohan Singh, to sow seeds of research in all parts of India, and provide facilities to all bright young and senior scientists. India ranks #3 in the world in the area of nano sciences."
"We've many possible applications in nanotechnology. One of them is in the area of medicine, especially fabricating skin and targeting drugs for cancerous cells. It will have serious implications in medicine and health. Nanotechnology offers major challenges and great opportunities for innovation and discovery of new things. I've complete confidence in this technology," added Dr Rao.
