Bhubaneswar, Feb. 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the National Institute of Science Education and Research (Niser) in Bhubaneswar and urged students to work along with faculties to turn it into a green campus.

Expressing discontentment over lack of greenery on the new campus, Modi said: "Just building a huge campus is not enough. Students should plant as many trees as they can so that when their families come to visit them, they can proudly call it their green efforts."

He asked the students and members to come together and set a target of making Niser the greenest campus in the country in the next two years.

He also said that garnering solar energy and zero discharge should also be the institute's focus to ensure a campus that uses clean and renewable energy.

"Such initiatives will generate a sense of belonging among the students with the institute. Only buildings do not make an institute. It cannot become a centre of inspiration unless our souls gets attached to it," said the Prime Minister.

He also requested the authorities to promote interactive sessions between science teachers and Niser students along with encouraging participation of the students at various science fairs.

The institute was established in 2007 and academic sessions were initially conducted at the Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar. However, the institute moved to its permanent 298-acre campus in June last year.

Beginning his address with " Jai Jagannath", the Prime Minister said that innovation was the need of the hour for society.

"The moment innovation stops, systems lose their life. It is not possible for everyone engaged in research to get a Nobel Prize, but what is more important is making inventions that act towards improving the lives of poor people," he said.

Modi also said that the state had abundant coal reserve. "Therefore, affordable, cheap and green technology should be developed so that coal gasification could be developed here," he said.

He focused on making research available to people and working towards making it globally accepted.

Noting that India's ocean and sky remained untapped, Modi asked the scientific community to explore the resources and utilise them for the benefit of the people.

Stressing on the need to tap India's ocean and sky, Modi said: "Scientists should work towards finding ways to work on the seabed and marine areas. Our forefathers rightly described the ocean as the ' Ratna Garva' and our aim should be to add value to it."

The Prime Minister on the occasion also felicitated 13-year-old S.S. Lalita Prasida, who had won an award under Google's community impact category at the Google Science Fair in the US, and Shrikant Sahu, a youth from Nabarangpur who won All India Skill Competition in May last year.

Prasida was elated when Modi placed his hands on her head to bless her.

"It was a precious moment. He also assured help in future in the field of scientific research," said Prasida, who won the award for the development of a low-cost bio-absorbent based water purifier.

The 22-year-old son of a tea-seller, Sahu always wished to meet the Prime Minister. He recently grabbed a job at the Indian Ordinance Factory.

"I have rejected a number of private jobs to work for the government. I am really overwhelmed to meet the PM as I felt that he is an inspiration to youths of the country who want to pursue their dreams," said the diploma holder from ITI Berhampur.

Other dignitaries who were present at the event were governor S.C. Jamir, chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Union ministers Jual Oram, Jitendra Singh and Dharmendra Pradhan and chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission Sekhar Basu.

ALSO HEARD AND SEEN

Minister in action: Energy minister Pranab Prakash Das was seen forcing police officials to allow BJD workers into the restricted areas of the venue. He was even seen arguing with some constables. Seeing the minister in action, senior police officials stayed at a safe distance. Even when his party supporters removed the police barricade and entered the venue, the cops remained mute spectators. 

Praise for all: Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan silenced his critics by acknowledging that all including Biju babu had contributed to the establishment of the refinery project. In fact, he said the legendary leader had dreamt of the project. While Pradhan addressed BJD minister Damodar Rout as a fatherly figure, the way he paid his respects to Naveen Patnaik by offering him a flower bouquet received applause from all. He even hailed Naveen as the most popular chief minister of the state. Similarly, Jual Oram, a known Naveen critic, was cautious while addressing the chief minister.

Patch Up: Jual Oram, who has always been critical of Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, on Sunday tried to mend his differences with him. He praised Pradhan and even addressed him as his younger brother. 

Goof-up: At the end of the ceremony at Niser, mementos were presented to the dignitaries. First, it was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Governor S.C. Jamir. When everyone expected chief minister Naveen Patnaik to get the next one, the mementos went to Union ministers Jual Oram and Rajendra Singh. 

Text by Subhashish Mohanty and Anwesha Ambaly