Kolkata, Nov 6 (IANS): Stressing on the need to take science and research to the masses, Union Minister of Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said that there was a need to go for international tie-ups to be globally competitive.

Speaking at a session of the 5th India International Science Festival (IISF) here, the minister said, "Such platforms help in implementing the idea of a mass outreach, thereby taking science to the people."

"For being globally competitive, India needs to effectively leverage international collaborations," he said, pointing out that the departments of science and technology and earth sciences are collaborating with 44 countries to achieve high-quality research partnerships.

Harsh Vardhan said that India's premier research and development bodies and academic institutions have to be linked globally to incorporate the best practices.

The Union Minister said India, as also many other countries, was facing the challenge of motivating the youth to opt for scientific research. He said there was a need to take scientific research out of the laboratory to the people, society and the market.