VAIBHAV summit: a virtual platform bringing together Indian diaspora scientists

The Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) summit, which brings together domestically residing as well as overseas Indian scientists and researchers to deliberate over collaborative initiatives, was inaugurated on October 2nd via video conferencing by Indian PM, Narendra Modi.

The VAIBHAV summit which commenced on October 2nd will conclude on October 31st and its primary objective is to provide a common platform for all the Indian scientists across the globe working in academic institutes and involved in research activities to collaborate with the intention of fortifying academic and science and technology foundation in India for global advancement.

Indian PM Narendra Modi

In his opening address, PM Modi thanked all the participating experts for their valuable opinions regarding the significance of greater collaborations among the Indian members of the global scientific and research community. The Prime Minister also referred to the indigenously developed Rotavirus vaccine and the Indian government’s unequivocal support for more development of indigenous vaccines. Acknowledging the contribution of agricultural scientific research in raising the productivity of the Indian agricultural sector, he averred the necessity of more scientific research to help Indian farmers further. He went on to state how the idea of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” encompasses global welfare and extolled India’s success in pioneering space reforms which opened new avenues for both industry and academics. He also laid stress on the need to galvanise the interest of the Indian youth in science

There will be a multitude of interactive engagements between the scientists of the Indian diaspora living abroad and those residing within India through webinars and video conferences conducted over the month. More than 3000 Indian-origin academicians and researchers from over 50 countries are expected to participate in this summit being organized by about 200 academic institutes and science and technology departments, spearheaded by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Professor K. Vijay Raghavan.