Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the Advanced Technology and Research Innovation (ATRI) campus of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal at Bhauri village, underlining the state government’s commitment to promoting research, innovation and scientific advancement.
During the programme, CM Dr Yadav also planted saplings on the campus and unveiled a newly installed statue of Swami Vivekananda. He said the government was encouraging research and innovation across disciplines, while India was making progress in multiple fields under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
MP CM Dr Yadav taking stock of the ATRI campus at IISER Bhopal
New campus to strengthen research ecosystem
The Chief Minister said India’s seven IISERs were playing an important role in advancing scientific research and described them as being akin to the ‘Saptarishis’ (the seven sages) in the contemporary era.
He highlighted India’s long-standing tradition of research, saying ancient sages pursued knowledge and research alongside their responsibilities towards family and society, while munis devoted their lives to spiritual discipline and contemplation.
According to CM Dr Yadav, IISER Bhopal has now received a new campus, modern laboratories and an innovation park at a cost of Rs 485 crore. He said the new facilities would provide further impetus to scientific research and innovation in the state.
Swami Vivekananda’s scientific curiosity highlighted
Speaking about the unveiling of Swami Vivekananda’s statue, CM Dr Yadav recalled Vivekananda’s interest in science and his quest for knowledge and spirituality. He said Vivekananda had interacted with several spiritual figures in his search for the truth before finding a guru in Swami Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
The Chief Minister also drew a connection between scientific inquiry and India’s philosophical traditions. Referring to the Sun as a visible source of energy, he said sunlight provides light and supports the process of photosynthesis in plants.
CM Dr Yadav said research was progressing around what he described as the five fundamental processes of human life. He added that, with advances in biotechnology, India’s traditions of philosophy, knowledge and spiritual practice were increasingly being connected with logic, science and research.
‘Research for human welfare’
CM Dr Yadav said the Madhya Pradesh government was encouraging research and innovation in every field. He also spoke about the continuing global relevance of Sanatan cultural traditions in the pursuit of human welfare.
MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav addressing people at IISER Bhopal
Referring again to Swami Vivekananda, the Chief Minister said his spiritual journey was not confined to ritualistic practices and emphasised the importance of action and human welfare.
CM Dr Yadav called upon researchers and society to move forward through new discoveries and scientific research aimed at the welfare of humanity. He said the combination of knowledge, scientific inquiry and India’s traditional intellectual heritage could contribute to addressing challenges facing society.