Asking IITs to come together to find innovative solutions to the problems of the common man, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said they should take up the challenge of making products for which India is critically dependent on imports.

"Science is universal. Technology must be local," the PM said, calling upon IITs to bring about a "positive change" in the quality of life of the people in the country.

Citing examples of a range of defence and health sector equipment and sensitive and security-related items like currency ink and tear gas which are imported, he exuded confidence that India has the talent to produce them indigenously. "I refuse to believe that India does not have the talent to make these things" the PM said, asking the IITs to take up such challenges.