Turn to vedas to combat climate change: Modi at Solar Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday suggested looking back to the Vedas in a bid to combat climate change.

"Vedas consider the Sun as the soul of the world, it has been considered as a life nurturer. Today, for combating climate change, we need to look at this ancient idea to find a way," the Prime Minister noted.

He also called for framing of regulations and standards to promote solar energy.

Speaking at the first ever International Solar Alliance Summit in New Delhi, the prime minister welcomed the measures to promote the use of affordable technology and called for raising the share of solar electricity in the energy mix. 

Foreign dignitaries from 23 nations were in attendance at the summit. The event was co-hosted by India and France. 

The President of France gave the inaugural address at the event following by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who talked about solar energy deployment in the country.  

"In India, we have launched the world's largest renewable energy expansion programme which will produce 175-gigawatt electricity from renewable sources by 2022; 100 gigawatts from solar," the Prime Minister noted. 

He also said that distribution of 28 crores LED bulbs in 3 years has saved close to $2 billion and 4 gigawatts of electricity.

"India will provide 500 training slots for ISA member countries; start solar tech mission to lead research and development in the sector," PM Modi stated.

He also suggested measures to increase solar energy consumption.

"To promote the use of solar energy, the availability of technology and development, economic resources, reduction in prices, development of storage technology, mass manufacturing, and innovation require a complete ecosystem," PM Modi said.

French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed his country's commitment toward solar energy promotion on the occasion. 

"With PM Modi, we are committed and have same obsession-creating momentum, inspiring people and gathering them to deliver results. But we're obsessed by concrete results, so now we are creating new momentum, we take new commitment to deliver complete results for our countries and the planet," Macron noted. 

The summit was attended by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid among other dignitaries.