Eminent Scientist and Bharat Ratna Awardee CNR Rao today said India doesn't have infinite time to become a progressive nation and one must work towards bringing development to the country at a faster phase.

"Science keeps going on, science will go on..... the problem is we in India have very little time, don't forget that. We don't have infinite time to become a progressive nation," Rao said.

Delivering the keynote address at the 22nd National Children's Science Congress in Bengaluru, he said, "We must see to it that development reaches the country in a faster phase so that India can become progressive and an advanced country soon."

"We must do that as we don't have much time," he said, adding that, "we have to do this so that we are on par with other developed powers."

Speaking about growing competition in the field of science in today's world, Rao said "....although we are doing some things, others are doing more; ours neighbours in South Korea, China they are investing more, they are doing more things, so there is growing competition."

He said, "So dear friends you better get used to competition....; competition is part of science but today it is more critical...."