Science & Technology integral to progress, prosperity: Satish Sharma

Jammu: Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Information Technology, Science and Technology, Satish Sharma, on Friday attended the 3rd International Conference on “Emerging Trends in Biosciences and Chemical Technology”, at SMVDU Katra.
Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Professor Pragati Kumar; Executive Director of SMVD College of Medical Excellence, Dr Yashpal Sharma; Head of the School of Biotechnology, Professor Ratna Chandra and Dr. Indu Bhushan Sharma, Convener of the conference were also present on the occasion.
During the conference, the Minister also paid tributes to the martyrs of Pulwama attack, observing two minutes silence as token of respect for the brave soldiers.
While addressing the gathering, the Minister asserted that this conference serves as a vital platform to discuss and deliberate upon groundbreaking advancements and their applications in our ever-evolving world.
Satish Sharma congratulated the SMVDU and the organising committee for bringing together some of the finest minds in the fields of biosciences and chemical technology. He emphasised that science and technology are integral to progress and prosperity of society; and in today’s rapidly evolving world biosciences and chemical technology play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges, be it healthcare, agriculture, energy or environmental sustainability.
“In the field of biosciences, we are witnessing groundbreaking innovations, from genome editing and regenerative medicine to synthetic biology and personalized healthcare. These advancements hold immense potential for disease prevention, drug discovery and agricultural improvements, ensuring food security and better health outcomes for all”, added the Minister.
The Minister exhorted that Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with rich biodiversity, fertile land and immense natural resources and with the right approach and innovation in science and technology, we can unlock new opportunities for sustainable development and economic growth. He said that with the innovative use of science and technology, J&K can provide better facilities and create livelihood opportunities in the filed of Agriculture and Rural Development, Healthcare, Education, Skill Development and Environmental Conservation.
The Minister said that the present government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, is committed towards fostering a culture of research, entrepreneurship and technology-driven growth. We are also getting good support and guidance from central government in the field of Science and technology, he added.
Parallel to the conference sessions, a workshop on Skills in Biosciences was conducted at the School of Biotechnology, offering the participants hands-on experience in various bioscience applications.
The workshop, coordinated by Dr. Sharada Potukuchi and Dr. Rakesh Kumar, included informative lectures and practical training on advanced techniques such as sequencing, real-time PCR, microarray and mass array analysis.