Small wonder: Govt bets big on nano-tech

The fourth edition of Bangalore Nano got under way on Thursday with the state government announcing that it plans to unveil a nano-technology policy.

Minister of science and technology Anand V Asnotikar, who read out chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda’s speech in the latter’s absence, said: “Karnataka, which has the distinction of bringing out policies for IT, BT, semiconductor and electronic hardware manufacturing, for the first time in the country, will also unveil a nano-technology policy to define the roadmap for sustainable growth of this sunrise sector.”

He also pledged that the government will provide enhanced support for nano-initiatives in the 2012-13 budget and that the government would not spare any effort to be at the forefront in the nano-technology revolution and make Bangalore the citadel of nano-technology.

He added that the state proposes to establish a Nano Park near the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA), which will host a nano-incubation centre, science and technology-based business incubator to incubate early stage entrepreneurial ventures, physical infrastructure and support systems that are necessary for business incubation centre, and centres of excellence for nanotech professional education to develop domain expertise.

“Expression of interest has already been called for development of Nano Park on a Public-Private-Partnership model and I’m sure this initiative will give a major fillip to the nano-technology industry to blossom in the coming years,” he said.

In addition, the state will also provide an acre of land to set up a Nano Lab in Jakkur and has also provided 14 acres on Tumkur Road to set up the Indian Institute of Nano Science and Technology. The chief minister’s speech further stated that Karnataka would soon release a policy on animation and gaming.

Scientist and chairman of the prime minister’s science advisory council, Professor CNR Rao, said nano-technology in the future can play a big role in solving the energy crisis and protecting environment.

“The US recently announced $120 million to conduct research on production of hydrogen from nano-technology. If this is successful, we can run our cars, planes and produce electricity from hydrogen,” he said.