Technology to tackle terrorism and internal security: PM

Underscoring the role of technology in dealing with terrorism and internal security in the wake of increasing terror attacks, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the technology has not been adequately utilised in these fields in India.

“We should use scientific interventions to neutralise weapons of terror and mass destruction. I believe that investment in security technologies is vital if our security systems are to keep pace with the increasing sophistication of international terrorism and crime.”

While other countries have used modern science and technology in their security structures with great effect, we have not done adequately so far, he added.

He was speaking after presenting the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards for the year 2007 & 2008 in New Delhi on Saturday. This award for scientific excellence is given to scientists below 45 years of age in recognition to their past work.

Pointing to China and Japan who have scored over us in ‘technology’, Dr. Singh said that unless we apply ourselves to this task, the powerful scientific tools of social and economic change would remain confined to our laboratories and to our institutions.

So, he called on the scientists to focus more on linking the lab with the market and work to connect science to the daily lives of people.

Dr. Singh said that science, industry and government need to work as an efficient and integrated machine to deliver the benefits of these scientific and technological advances to the people.

The Prime Minister recognised some of the vital areas where greater work was required such as surveillance systems, cryptography, and computer stimulation exercises to enhance crisis tactics and responses.

Today world is facing a growing economic recession. We should look other side of it and should exploit the situation. We should use the ingenuity and inventiveness of science to find ways to leapfrog to future technologies—which are affordable and sustainable—that will help build sustainable pathways to development, because as Dr. Singh said: “with adversity comes opportunity.”