Investing in basic scientific research best way to achieve fast economic growth: Ex-ISRO Director at Annamalai Uni's convocation 

If one is not cautious, social media will poison the mind and waste valuable time, said former Director of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Mayilsamy Annadurai at the 84th convocation of Annamalai University. He was instructing the graduating batch on Monday, April 18, to use social media but be aware of its limits.

Annadurai said, "The current generation is immensely exposed to advances in Science. You are better equipped to create a knowledge-base and technology-driven society." Education plays a pivotal role in establishing society and hence, technology without research is unlikely to be sustainable, he added.

"Scientific productivity is a much better predictor of economic wealth. Investing in basic scientific research is the best way for a country to achieve fast economic growth," he said.

Speaking about Annamalai University, he said that the varsity has been successful in setting high standards of teaching, training, research as well as extension."A university degree is believed to open up career prospects and help achieve dreams. Today, our country needs trained manpower and it is the real asset of any nation. As future leaders in respective fields, you are required to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of millions who are not as privileged," he concluded.