GITPRO’s Khanderao Kand seen with Indian Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, (r), speaking to Silicon Valley Indian Americans at a GITPRO meet in Sunnyvale, Calif., June 2. (Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer)

Lauding Indian American scientists and IT professionals working in the U.S., India’s Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan has sought their contribution to India’s growth, writes Lalit K. Jha. – #siliconeer @siliconeer #harshvardhan #india #siliconvalley #gitpro

“We want your positive suggestions, your constructive criticism, your knowledge and experience and your “vivek” (wisdom) to contribute to India’s growth,” he said in his address to a group of Indian American professionals at a reception hosted by the Global Indian Technology Professionals Organization in Silicon Valley, June 2.

Indian Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan speaking to Silicon Valley Indian Americans at a GITPRO meet in Sunnyvale, Calif., June 2. (Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer)
Indian Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan speaking to Silicon Valley Indian Americans at a GITPRO meet in Sunnyvale, Calif., June 2. (Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer)

Vardhan, who was in Silicon Valley to attend the ministerial meeting on energy, emphasized that the Indian government is dedicated to bringing the benefits of science to the people of India.

Sharing his vision of Digital India and the current long-term as well as short-term initiatives and achievements, the minister mentioned initiatives such as India’s Mars Orbiter mission, re-usable Space Shuttle, support for the Thirty Meter Telescope, National Monsoon forecasting, Desalination, Earthquake Prediction, Genome Sequencing, vaccine research for Dengue and many others.

Indian Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan (c) at a community dinner reception meet in Sunnyvale, Calif., June 2. (Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer)
Indian Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan (c) at a community dinner reception meet in Sunnyvale, Calif., June 2. (Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer)

“I would like to congratulate you on being so well organized globally. Every time I visit the USA, my respect for all of you who live here grows because of your ability to come together for India’s cause,” Vardhan said in the presence of Vivek Agarwal, a senior bureaucrat from Madhya Pradesh.

The minister later attended a press conference before heading to a community reception and dinner meet at a restaurant in Sunnyvale, Calif.