The Chief Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that science and technology are effective weapons in the fight against hunger and poverty. He said that live examples of this are Hoshangabad and Narsinghpur districts which are standing shoulder to shoulder with Punjab and Haryana in wheat production by adopting improved and scientific methods of farming. The Chief Minister was addressing a function here today on the occasion of Technology Day. The function was organised at Nehru Nagar-based Vigyan Bhawan by Madhya Pradesh Council for Science and Technology (MAPCOST). The Chief Minister said that the state government is going to establish an international level observatory at Ujjain soon. He hoped that the state would soon carve out its niche in the fields of science and technology in the country. Shri Chouhan asked the MAPCOST to develop technology for Mati Kala Board which is going to be set up to provide necessary technical know-how to craftsmen. Shri Chouhan said that science and spiritualism compliment each other. The Chief Minister said that there would be no shortage of funds for development of science and technology in the state. He said that the state government has increased budgetary provision in this connection up to five and half fold during the last two years. Shri Chouhan said that appliances are the extension of human strength. Citing Swami Vivikanand, Shri Chouhan said that man is storehouse of unlimited powers. The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that there is no dearth of talent in India. Indians have proven their talent in the whole world including Silicon Valley. He said the rising population is not a problem, but the real issue is illiteracy. India can regain its lost glory at the international level by making its unskilled human resources skilful with the help of science and technology. It may be mentioned that Science and Technology Day is observed on May 11: every year for commemorate the nuclear test at Pokharan, launch of Hansa and Trishul missiles which were undertaken the same day 10 years ago. Director General of MAPCOST Shri Mahesh Sharma said that as many as one thousand children had been sent on Vigyan Manthan Yatra under Mission Excellence from all the 48 districts of the state. These children visited various science centres of the country including those at Bangalore, Pune and Roorkie and gathered information and knowledge. With view to honing talents of these children further, they would be connected with MAPCOST's programmes in future also. Constant efforts are being undertaken to make Madhya Pradesh a leading state in the field of science and technology. Shri Sharma said that as many as one thousand functions were organised by MAPCOST to mark Science and Technology Day at schools and banks of Narmada and other rivers. The teachers who had accompanied children on Vigyan Manthan Yatra are also being encouraged. Former vice-chancellor of Gwalior University and C.V. Raman Fellow of MAPCOST, Shri R.R. Das said that students' interest in science and technology is increasing due to efforts undertaken by MAPCOST. Science and technology must be used in removing illiteracy, poverty and diseases, he said adding that efforts are being undertaken in this direction. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan honoured meritorious students of classes VIII, IX and XI. The students include Ankit Jain (Betul), Saket Chaurasia (Mandla), Reva Mehta, Abhishek Kumar, Naman Agrawal and Shashank Prasad (All from Bhopal) on the occasion. Similarly, prizes were given away to winners of junior and senior categories of state level Science Quiz including Prafulla Kurle (Datia), Atul Nakhate (Balaghat), Subham Nigam (Jabalpur) and Siddharth Awadhiya (Harda). Anshul Kapoor of Indore and Isha Chaukse of Sidhi received the prizes for Maths Olympiad. The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan while congratulating the winners of various competitions also lauded activities of MAPCOST and congratulated its scientists and officers. Earlier, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan inaugurated and inspected the newly set up central laboratory at the first floor of Vigyan Bhawan. He also inspected Quality Assurance Laboratory and Excellent Biotechnology Laboratory and apprised himself of their activities. Direct General of MAPCOST Shri Mahesh Sharma gave detailed information about Telemedicine and Edusat Hub. Information was given during the function that 75 craftsmen had been sent to other state's tours with the help of MAPCOST for acquiring latest technology. Dr N.P. Shukla proposed a vote of thanks. Working Director of MAPCOST Dr. N.N. Mehrotra also addressed the function. Shri S. Khan proposed a vote of thanks.