KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shared the stage at the centenary session of the 100th Science Congress at Salt Lake stadium on Thursday morning. This was their first meeting a little over three months after the Trinamool Congress dumped the UPA over the FDI in multi brand retail.
The chief minister went and sat beside Singh and the two were smiling as they spoke in between speeches at the congress where nearly 15,000 scientists are expected to participate. The Trinamool Congress' six ministers submitted their resignations to the Prime Minister on September 21 signaling the end of a strained relationship between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress.
The body language from both sides was positive. Also present on the dais was President Pranab Mukherjee. He inaugurated the five-day meet where several foreign delegates, Nobel laureates and Indian scientists were present.
The Prime Minister unveiled the country's science, technology and innovation policy that aims to put India among the top five science powerhouses in the world by 2020.
Singh welcomed a debate on genetically modified foods, nuclear energy and space exploration. He said, "The transformation of agriculture must be the top priority of our public policies, including science and technology policies. We must partner not only with established leaders in science and technology but with emerging innovation powerhouses in our region."
Singh said science should be used to meet the needs of the underprivileged.
Mamata, Manmohan exchange pleasantries in first meeting after FDI standoff
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Mamata, Manmohan exchange pleasantries in first meeting after FDI standoff
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Mamata, Manmohan exchange pleasantries in first meeting after FDI standoff
