Research Must Serve Public Welfare And National Development: CM Yogi Adityanath

Published 14 June 2026 · science

Research Must Serve Public Welfare And Development: CM Yogi Adityanath Published By, Last Updated: June 14, 2026, 14:35 IST CM Yogi Adityanath said India holds

Research Must Serve Public Welfare And Development: CM Yogi Adityanath Published By, Last Updated: June 14, 2026, 14:35 IST CM Yogi Adityanath said India holds immense potential in science, agriculture, medicine, enterprise, Ayurveda and traditional knowledge. Rapid Read File photo of Uttar Pradesh's CM Yogi Adityanath. (ANI) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called on young scientists, researchers and technology experts to align innovation and scientific research with nation building and public welfare, stressing that knowledge must move beyond laboratories to transform society and the economy. Addressing the inaugural session of the Seventh Convention of Vijnana Bharati in Kashi on Saturday, the Chief Minister said India holds immense potential in science, agriculture, medicine, enterprise, Ayurveda and traditional knowledge. He emphasised that research should not remain confined to academic circles but must contribute to economic advancement, public welfare and the strengthening of India as a global power. Adityanath expressed satisfaction that the convention was being held in Kashi, which he described as the “sacred land of knowledge," and noted that more than 1,300 delegates had registered for the event. He highlighted that Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was born out of the vision and dedication of Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya, with the objective of restoring Kashi’s ancient identity as a centre of knowledge and science. The Chief Minister said he was confident that integrating India’s knowledge traditions with modern science, research and innovation would play a crucial role in transforming the country into a developed nation and giving it a new identity on the global stage. Tracing India’s long history as a knowledge hub, he observed that while modern science has a history of about 400 to 500 years, India has been a centre of knowledge, science and innovation for thousands of years.

He pointed out that around 2,000 years ago, India’s share in the global economy stood at 44 to 45 percent, and even during periods of foreign invasions, it remained at 24 to 25 percent. However, by the time of Independence, he noted, this share had fallen to 1.5 to 2 percent. Adityanath underlined the scientific approach embedded in traditional Indian agriculture, stating that the Indian farmer was not merely a cultivator but also an inventor and innovator. Traditional systems of natural farming, animal husbandry and soil fertility management, he said, reflected scientific thinking. Referring to the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, he noted that agriculture, cow protection and commerce were interconnected pillars of the Indian economy. Over time, he added, excessive dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides had led society away from these original traditions. He further remarked that Indian traders historically did more than engage in commerce; they also helped connect different parts of the nation. Similarly, Indian artisans were not just craftsmen but entrepreneurs who took Indian products to global markets. He asserted that this traditional model remains relevant today for achieving self-reliance and sustainable development. Citing the work of renowned scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose, the Chief Minister said Bose’s experiments had shown that plants possess sensitivity and consciousness. If a plant can respond to positive and negative behaviour, Adityanath argued, it is easy to imagine the impact of negative thinking on human society. He accused foreign invaders, Leftist ideologies and anti-India tendencies of having made sustained efforts over long periods to weaken India’s knowledge traditions and cultural pride, causing society to become disconnected from its roots. Sharing a personal memory from his childhood in Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister recalled how his mother encouraged children in their village to grow vegetables in small plots of land.