Vaibhav Fellowship of 1st batch given to 22 Indian origin scientists

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