Lay stress on society-oriented research: Nitin Gadkari to varsities

AMRAVATI: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today urged universities and technical education institutes to carry out society-oriented research for economic growth of the country and to tackle the problem of unemployment.

"In order to tackle the problem of poverty and unemployment that the country is facing, knowledge must be turned into wealth," Gadkari said here.

"Universities should adopt a society-oriented approach while carrying out research," he said while speaking at the inauguration of an international conference on 'Opportunities and Challenges in Technical Education' organised by Indian Society for Technical Education ( ISTE).

On the issue of farmers' suicides, Gadkari, Union road transport and highways minister, suggested using agro waste to produce different things of utility.

"Apart from cultivating crops, farmers should also utilise agro-waste to produce things like ethanol so that their financial condition improves and they do not take extreme steps," he said.

He asked the educational institutions to help the farmers on this front.

Gadkari distributed ISTE's 'Vidyabhavan National Award' to Prof Ram Meghe Institute of Technology and Research.

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) chairman Anil Sahastrabuddhe, Maharashtra minister Pravin Pote, MP Anand Adsul and others were present on the occasion.

Gadkari also inaugurated an exhibition.