Bengaluru, Dec 11 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the five day 107th session of the Indian Science Congress on January 3, Karnataka Minister for IT-BT, Science and Technology Dr C Ashwath Narayan said here on Wednesday

"The Science Congress, where delegates from various streams will take part, will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister on January 3," he said at the curtain raiser event.

Themed "Science and Technology: Rural Development", the event will bring together more than 15,000 delegates from the scientific fraternity and academia, Research& Development institutes, defence, government, PSUs and corporate houses.

The 'Pride of India Expo 2020', organised concurrently with the ISC, will be a confluence of new ideas, innovations and products surrounding the entire canvas of scientific world will also be inaugurated simultaneously, the organisers said in a statement.

Dr Narayan said the Science Congress is India's oldest, biggest and one of the most prestigious scientific events, which the government is proud to host.

"Karnataka and Bengaluru is a hub for technology and research in India. I appeal to organisations, entrepreneurs, startups and young scientists to take part in the science congress in large numbers and showcase their innovations, ideas and interact with Indias premier research institutes and distinguished scientists, he said.

The minister also expressed concern over the decline in the number of students taking science as a subject.

"We should sensitise students to take up the science stream as their numbers are on the decline. The future of India lies in Science and Technology.

If we ignore it, we will go back to the colonial era where somebody else will be ruling us," he said.

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