Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh launched the first batch of Vaibhav Fellowship awarded to 22 Indian-origin scientists from across the world on January 23, 2024.
Objective of Vaibhav Fellowship:
- Its objective is to harness the scientific capabilities of the Indian diaspora in India. To reawaken the cultural roots of overseas Indians.
Important role of migrants in making India developed:
- According to Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, the scientific capabilities of NRIs have an important role in making India developed by 2047.
- The first batch of Global Indian Scientist Vaibhav Fellowship was organized in New Delhi.
- India has made massive progress in the fields of space economy, innovation, quantum missions and biotechnology in the last few years.
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh called on NRIs to recognize the abundant opportunities in India and contribute to its development.
About Vaibhav Fellowship Scheme:
- Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh launched the Vaibhav Fellowship Scheme for Indian expatriates on the occasion of National Science Day on 28 February 2023.
- Vaibhav Fellowship Scheme is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology.
Features of Vaibhav Fellowship Programme:
- The program will concentrate on 18 designated knowledge verticals. These mainly include:
- Quantum Technology
- Health
- Pharmaceutical Sector
- Electronics
- Agriculture
- Energy
- Computers and Science
- The Fellowship is open to outstanding scientists and technologists of Indian origin who are actively engaged in research activities in their respective countries.
- People of Indian origin can be divided into three main categories:-
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
- Non-Resident Indians of Indian Origin (PIO)
- Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
- Selected fellows are given the opportunity to conduct research in collaboration with higher Indian education institutions, universities and publicly funded scientific institutions.
- They can reside in an Indian institution of their choice for two months every year, up to a maximum of three years.
- Under the scheme, many basic facilities are provided to the scientists. So that they can be ensured a favorable environment for fellowship research under which:
- Travel
- Accommodation and Contingency
- International and Domestic Travel Expenses
- Accommodation
Other major initiatives involving NRIs:
- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year on 9 January to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India.
- Know India Programme: is a major initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs to engage with the expatriate community. Under this, the youth of Indian origin (18-30 years) are introduced to their Indianness and contemporary India.
- Vajra Faculty Scheme of the Department of Science & Technology: Enables NRIs and foreign scientific communities to participate and contribute to Research & Development in India.
Full form of Vajra: Visiting Advanced Joint Research