Bangalore, December 5, 2013: Bangalore INDIA NANO, Asia's biggest annual nanoscience & nanotech event, was inaugurated today by Chief Minister of Karnataka state, Siddaramaiah. The cynosure of all eyes was recent Bharat Ratna awardee ( India's highest civilain honour) Prof. C.N.R. Rao, FRS, National Research Professor; Linus Pauling Research Professor; and Chairman, of India's Vision Group on Science & Technology and Nanotechnology.
The Chief Guest was Nobel Laureate Prof. Sir Andre Geim, FRS , Regius and Royal Society Research Professor, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Manchester, UK.
The Prof. C.N.R. Rao Bangalore INDIA NANO Science 2013 Award was presented to Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Institute Chair Professor & C.V. Seshadri Chair Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur for the use of NANO particles in sound systems and walls with NANO particles.
The dignitaries released a report on 'Creating Growth Opportunities for Indian Nano Science & Nano Technology,' 'Five years of Bangalore INDIA NANO' and an 'Indian Nanotechnology Industry & Institutions Directory'.
Mr Sddaramaiah said, “Karnataka is one of the pioneering States in the country in providing necessary eco system for the development of industry and has the distinction of bringing out policies for IT, BT, Semi-conductor, Animation, Electronics Systems Design and Manufacturing for the first time in the country to give impetus for the growth of these sectors...Our Government proposes to establish a state-of-the-art Nano Park in Bangalore, which will have Nano Incubation Centre along with the necessary physical infrastructure and support systems including common facilities. The Indian Institute of Nano Science and Technology is being established in Bangalore with funding support from Government of India under the Nano Mission at an estimated cost of Rs 1000 Million, for which Government of Karnataka has already allocated 14 acres of land on Tumkur Road."
Prof Rao in his address said, Nano mission needs targeted funding to set up infrastructure and build capacity for research in nanoscience and developing nanotechnology to solve pressing problems and improve quality of life. Highlighting a few nano applications under development or in use, Rao said using nano materials, scientists in Israel had developed a ‘nano nose’ that sniffs cancer molecules when a cancer patient breaths out. “Nano materials are used in skin grafting and nano particles to supply safe drinking water”, he added. He thanked Prof. Andre Geim for his work on GRAPHENE
Prof. Geim quoted Alice in Wonderland: “My dear, here we must run just to stay in place.” And if you wish to go anywhere you must run twice as fast as that”-- and urged continuous investment in NANO technology efforts.
He said that Bangalore is the home of nanotechnology. Bangalore has the premier institutions such as JNCASR, IISc, NCBS, and ISRO which are leading in the growth of science & nanotechnology. Contribution of NANO AGE is in Agriculture, Industries, Biotechnology, Electronics, Communications, Health Care, Space, Explorations, Energy, Material Sciences, and Environment.
Bangalore has institutions which focus on up gradation of science such as Regional Science Centres, Dharwad University. Lastly, he thanked Bharat Ratna Prof. C.N.R. Rao, FRS and other visionaries for the guidance and success of 6th Bangalore India Nano.