Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed the need for the development of scientific temper among people to expedite development of the country.

Inaugurating the India International Science Festival in Kolkata this afternoon through video-conferencing Mr. Modi said, the scientific temper reduces superstitions and encourages temperament of reasoning.

Referring to the recent Chandrayan Mission, the Prime Minister said that the issue raised the curiosity among people on Science. He appealed to the scientific community to take long-term solution approach to make Science for society and Science for people.

The Prime Minister said that the Government is supporting innovations and inventions for this purpose. He also informed that five thousand Atal Tinkering labs are being set up in various parts of the country to encourage students for hands-on training on Science and Research.

The West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsha Vardhan and other distinguished guests were present at the inaugural session of the four-day-long festival.