Bangalore, December 6, 2012: The 5th  edition of Bangalore Nano, the  annual  gathering of the nanotechnology community, opened here today even as speakers noted that the country is slowly inching up from 9^th to 6^th place among nations  generating and leveraging nanotechnology.
Over 160  Indian and international companies  from 10 nations, are participating in India’s premier nanotech event.
A feature this year is a day long track, Nano for the Young, targeting students, where over 450 are registered to attendNano technology is essential for the 21st century, if  intelligent usage of raw materials and resources  is to beaccomplished, said Prof. Sir Richard Friend, Cavendish Professor of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, UK , in his opening keynote. He drew attention to the  significance  of silicon chips and  solar cells in the development  energy saving devices like   batteries, solar cells, water filters, membranes etc.
I.S.N. Prasad, Principal Secretary, Karnataka  Department of IT, BT and S&T,  pointed to Bangalore’s   central position in knowledge based private sectors followed by biotech companies. Bangalore has the largest number of PHDs and doctorate holders, he pointed out. Former Space Commission Chairman K. Kasturirangan, said, “Nano Technology has found relevance in Medicine, Agriculture, Healthcare, and Environment to name some. The 12^th Planning Commission has placed special importance for the growth is the field of Nano Technology by granting funding to aid research and education. India currently contributes for 3% of research output and has moved upwards from 9th position to 6th position in the field of Nano Technology.”National Research Professor, C.N.R.Rao    --the guiding force behind Banglore Nano since inception -- and Dr. K. Kasturirangan awarded the 5th Bangalore Nano National Award 2012 to Prof. G.U. Kulkarni, Chemistry & Physics of Materials Unit and DST Unit on Nanoscience, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.” Prof. G U Kulkarni has presented several international papers and has authored 11 books and has 2 patents to his name.The Global market for Nanotechnology incorporated manufactured goods  was estimated to be worth $1.6 Trillion, representing a CAGR of more than 49% for the period 2009 - 2013. The Indian response has been the Government of India’s Launch of a Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano Mission) which is showcasing its work at this conferenceThe event concludes on Friday.