By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that India’s nuclear programme has entered a new phase of growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while urging young scientists to carry forward the scientific legacy envisioned by Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha and contribute to the national goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero.
Addressing the 15th Graduation Ceremony of the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, the Minister said that a graduation ceremony at an institution under the Department of Atomic Energy is far more than the conferment of degrees, it is the handing over of a legacy of scientific excellence, innovation and national responsibility to a new generation.
The ceremony was graced by Vice President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan as the Chief Guest. Governor of Odisha Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati; Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Mohan Charan Majhi; Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan; Chairman, Board of Governors, NISER, Prof. Ajit Kumar Mohanty; Director and Chairman, Academic Council, NISER, Prof. Hirendra Nath Ghosh; eminent scientists, faculty members, parents and students were also present. Degrees were conferred upon 260 students across the Integrated M.Sc., Integrated M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes.
Congratulating the graduating students, Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed his gratitude to the Vice President for sparing his valuable time to participate in the ceremony. He said the presence of the Vice President had not only honoured the institution but had also inspired hundreds of young minds embarking on their scientific careers. He remarked that many students would cherish this memorable occasion throughout their lives and proudly preserve the photographs of the event as one of the defining moments of their academic journey.
Describing NISER as a premier institution functioning under the Department of Atomic Energy, which reports directly to the Prime Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh said institutions of this nature are custodians of India’s scientific heritage. He said a graduation ceremony in such an institution signifies the transfer of responsibility from one generation of scientists to the next, enabling the country to sustain its long tradition of scientific excellence and self-reliance.
Recalling the vision of Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the architect of India’s nuclear programme, the Minister said that when the country’s nuclear programme was initiated, scepticism surrounded India’s scientific capabilities. Despite these doubts, Dr. Bhabha firmly declared that India’s nuclear programme would remain dedicated to peaceful purposes. Dr. Jitendra Singh said that this vision has stood the test of time and continues to guide India’s scientific journey.
The Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has carried this vision forward by taking India’s nuclear programme to an entirely new level. He said the reforms undertaken in recent years have expanded opportunities, strengthened indigenous capabilities and opened new avenues for wider participation in the nuclear sector, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in strategic technologies.
Referring to recent milestones in the country’s nuclear energy programme, Dr. Jitendra Singh said India has entered the second stage of its nuclear programme with the development of the country’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, an achievement that reflects the maturity of India’s indigenous scientific capabilities and strengthens the country’s long-term energy security.
Addressing the graduating students directly, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the batch of 260 young graduates carries the responsibility of taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s twin national commitments of building a Viksit Bharat and achieving Net Zero through science-led development. He said the nation looks towards its young scientists not only for technological advancement but also for finding sustainable solutions to emerging global challenges.
The Minister said India has made remarkable progress in strengthening its scientific and technological ecosystem during the past decade. Referring to the Union Budget, he said the Government has announced the development of four Rare Earth Corridors, including one in Odisha, while the remaining three will be established in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. These initiatives, he said, will significantly strengthen India’s strategic mineral ecosystem and support emerging technologies of the future.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said India currently has an installed nuclear power generation capacity of 8,780 MW and has set an ambitious target of expanding this capacity to 22,380 MW by 2032. He said the expansion reflects the country’s determination to ensure energy security while pursuing clean and sustainable sources of power.
Calling the present period one of the most promising phases for India’s science sector, the Minister said young scientists today have before them opportunities of an unprecedented scale and diversity. He said research, innovation, frontier technologies and emerging scientific disciplines are opening new avenues for the country’s youth, making this an exciting time to pursue scientific careers.
Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the policy has fundamentally transformed India’s education ecosystem by encouraging aptitude-based and interdisciplinary learning. Unlike earlier generations that often remained confined to conventional academic streams, today’s students enjoy the flexibility to pursue subjects aligned with their interests, aptitude and aspirations. He said institutions like NISER have embraced this approach by integrating interdisciplinary education, innovation and research into their academic framework, fully reflecting the spirit of NEP 2020.
The Minister said NISER has established itself as one of India’s leading centres for science education and research within a relatively short period. He appreciated the institute’s contribution towards nurturing outstanding scientific talent and said its alumni are already making significant contributions across research institutions, academia, strategic organisations and other sectors in India and abroad, strengthening the country’s scientific reputation globally.
Congratulating the graduating students once again, Dr. Jitendra Singh said they leave the institution carrying not merely academic degrees but the confidence, curiosity and commitment required to serve the nation through science. Expressing confidence in their abilities, he said the graduating class would continue to uphold India’s rich scientific tradition and make meaningful contributions towards building an innovative, self-reliant and developed India.
