We must focus on research, innovation in technology: Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the country needs to focus on research and innovation in the field of technology to fulfill former President APJ Abdul Kalam's dream.

"We can only fulfill Kalam's dream if the next generation work towards developing technology to which can be used in day-to-day life," he said during his radio address 'Mann Ki Baat'.

He added: "Technology keeps changing from time-to-time, you can't hold technology. The coming century is technology-driven. Therefore, we must focus on research and innovation in technology."

He further said that the government has launched ' Atal Innovation Mission' to create an ecosystem for innovation in technology.

"Let us aim to innovate. The NITI Ayog is promoting Atal Innovation Mission which will create an ecosystem for innovation, experiment and entrepreneurship. This will also create employment opportunities", he added.

Modi also said that the government has allocated separate funds to set up tinkering labs and implementation centres to for Atal Innovation Mission.

"The government will sanction Rs 10 lakh to set up tinkering labs in schools. The government received as many as 13,000 applications from schools to set up tinkering labs.

"We have also allocated Rs 10 crore to set up new implementation centre strengthen existing ones," the Prime Minister added.