VARANASI, June 14 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said science is meant for public welfare and nations that adopted scientific temper and innovation had progressed. He was addressing the 7th National Convention of Vigyan Bharati at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), a two-day event which he inaugurated. India's real strength lies in its agriculture and MSME sectors, Adityanath said on the occasion. The chief minister urged farmers to adopt organic and zero-budget natural farming and cautioned them against the harmful effects of excessive use of chemicals in agriculture.He said agriculture was never a loss-making occupation when farmers innovate and follow traditional practices. He also said anti-India forces instilled the belief in farmers that agriculture was impossible without pesticides and fertilisers, leading to the abandonment of traditional farming methods, which caused significant loss to the country. Highlighting the role of traders and entrepreneurs, Adityanath said the MSME sector, with around 96 lakh units, provides employment to nearly three crore people and acts as a key link in the economy in the state. "Today, our unemployment rate has dropped below 3%. There is a need to bring everyone together in the fields of research and innovation," he said. He also stressed the importance of Indian scientists and research, saying knowledge should be welcomed from all sources. "Knowledge should be welcomed from wherever it comes," he said. "The history of modern science spans a period of 400 to 500 years...Whoever established dominion over it, his her supremacy was established," he said. "If one examines India's glorious ancient traditions, it becomes evident that India once held a 44 to 45% share of the global economy; even four hundred years ago, our share stood at approximately 24-25%, yet by the time of independence, it had dwindled to just 1.5 to 2%," he said. The CM recounted the story of Jagadish Chandra Bose planting two saplings, illustrating that consciousness exists not only in humans but in all living beings, including plants.He recalled how his mother used to plant saplings during his childhood and emphasized that knowledge should be welcomed from any source. He noted that prior to 2014, artisans were left in a dire state; their products were dismissed as worthless, effectively driving them out of the market. "After 2017, we revitalised the sector by launching the 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) scheme, focusing on design and packaging, and connecting artisans directly to the market. Today, our exports have surpassed the Rs.2 lakh crore mark, driven primarily by the MSME sector," he said. The CM remarked that the university (BHU) had become a hub of knowledge thanks to the efforts of Mahamana Pt Madan Mohan Malviya. He congratulated everyone on organising the Vijnana Bharati event.BHU vice chancellor Ajit Chaturvedi welcomed the chief guest with a bouquet, a traditional stole (angvastram), and a memento. The dignitaries also released a publication by Vijnana Bharati. Vijnana Bharati national president Prof Shekhar Pandey noted that the organisation was established in 1991 with the aim of presenting scientific achievements to society....