7-Jan-2023: Contribution of women in STEM & biodiversity conservation highlighted at the 10th Women Science Congress

The contribution of women in all walks of life, including STEM, as well as conservation of biodiversity, was highlighted at the 10th Women Science Congress (WSC), organised as a part of the 108th Indian Science Congress at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University during 5-6 January 2023.

Padmashri Smt. Rahibai Soma Popere, a farmer and conservationist, highlighted the crucial role women have played in biodiversity conservation and also elaborated about her campaign to help farmers return to native varieties of crops while Chief Guest Mrs. Kanchan Gadkari, Head, Seva Sadan Sanstha, spoke about self-reliance among women. Several eminent women scientists shared their research and professional experiences with the audience.

Dr. Nisha Mendiratta, Advisor & Head, WISE-KIRAN Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST), emphasized on the need for interventions to promote women in STEM. She highlighted that in tertiary education, the percentage of girls is more than 55, but after that, there are high numbers of dropouts - an issue that needs to be addressed. Dr. Mendiratta underlined the efforts of DST in plugging the gap areas and promoting women's participation in Science & Technology, benefiting more than 35000 girls and women in the last 8 years under various women-centric programs.

The experts discussed about the role of S&T in Women Empowerment; Opportunities in Food Science & Technology; Sustainable Development Goals; Science Communication, Role of Digitalization, etc.

A panel discussion was also organized wherein Dr. Indu Bala Puri, Scientist, DST, pointed out the importance of S&T-led development in rural areas. Dr. Suphiya Khan, Banasthali Vidyapith, asserted that innovation in research can excel in the output. Dr. Sangeeta Nagar, TIFAC, DST, briefed about the opportunities for women in the area of Intellectual Property Rights.

Dr. Zareena Qureshi, Principal, JNV Nagpur, shared the significance of the Vigyan Jyoti program for school girls to pursue a career in STEM fields. Dr. Sonal Dhabekar, beneficiary of the WOS-B program, highlighted how this program helped to reshape her scientific career after a long break.

Dr. Vijaylaxmi Saxena, General President of ISCA, appreciated the various initiatives of Govt. of India for empowering women. Dr. Kalpana Pande, Convener WSC, talked about the scientific temperament among women since ancient times. Around 5000 participants attended the 2-day event.

5-Jan-2023: Symposium on Space Science and Technology at Indian Science Congress

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully undertaken many near impossible space expeditions and projects. DTH Service, Weather Forecast has been possible due to satellite technology. The scientists participating in the Symposium opined that the objective of the expeditions and projects by ISRO are aimed at developing technology that can be helpful to the common people.

The symposium on Space Science and Technology was organised on the second day of Indian Science Congress on January 4 at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Campus of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University. S Somnath, Secretary of ISRO, Prof Anil Bharadvaj, Director, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, Dr Shantanu Bhatavadekar, Scientific secretary, ISRO, Dr Victor Joseph T, Director, technology development and associate scientific, Dr D K Singh, deputy director, human face flight and advanced technology area space application centre, Ahmedabad participated in the symposium.

Speaking at the symposium S Somnath said, space technology is changing with each passing day. While the world had come to halt due to Covid-19, more than 100 space expeditions were undertaken. More than 100 start-ups related to space technology have come up in the country during this period. He said that the objective of ISRO is to contribute to nation building by easing the lives of common people using technology.

Prof Anil Bharadwaj said, this year, Mangalyaan- 3 and Aditya L 1 expeditions will be undertaken. The previous Mangalyaan expedition taken up was the most economical one in the world. The world had taken note of that expedition. National Geographic and other globally renowned science magazines took cognizance of the expedition and published cover stories about it.

Dr Shantanu Bhatavdekar elaborated on the journey of ISRO till date. The Indian space programme has undergone a paradigm shift since ISRO was formed. He elaborated the journey of space expeditions from Aryabhatta to RISAT in his presentation. He said, ISRO has concentrated on developing technology that could be beneficial to agriculture and allied businesses. India has a 750 km long coastline and around 70 lakh people depend on fishing. We have developed technology complimenting fishing. Forecast about storms and cyclones with the collaboration with Indian Meteorological Department is part of the same. Natural calamities can be pre-empted with the help of satellites, he said.

Dr Victor Josef T said, ISRO has undertaken 208 space expeditions till date. In 2024-25 Gaganyaan will be launched. He further informed that research is going on in agriculture, human resource development, and quantum technology.

Dr DK Singh said, use of wireless technology has increased manifold. This has been possible due to the satellites in space. There are many advantages to the technology. Wireless technology could be helpful in providing facilities in rural areas as well. Today DTH has reached every household. This has been possible with the help of satellite technology.

4-Jan-2023: ISC meet highlights tribal wisdom and issues

Non Timber Forest Produce like gum plants, oil seeds, flowers, medicinal plants and food products like Mahua, Jamun, Mango, Tamarind and Amla has been found to be highest income contributors in the tribal households.

Access to these resources have backboned the financial self-sufficiency of tribal women in the Maoist-infested backward Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. Now empowering them to take control of their life decisions and family issues is the key to mitigate tribal distress issues like mal-nutrition, maternal & child mortality and poverty, said Dr. Hemlata J. Wankhede Chaudhari, Principal, Government Science College, Gadchiroli , while delivering her lecture on the topic ‘Upliftment of tribal population with reference to women at Gadchiroli District.’

She was speaking at the Tribal Science Congress during the 108th Indian Science Congress. Malaria and Elephantiasis, the diseases almost irradicated at the urban India are still the major health hazards for forest dwelling tribals. That’s just an example of stark difference between both worlds, she highlighted. Her lecture highlighted the need for education among tribals and empowerment of tribal women.

The Tribal Meet was inaugurated by Dr. Vijay Laxmi Saxena, General President, ISCA. In her address Dr. Saxena said that ‘Seva Johar’ which means the service of mother nature is the gist of tribal life. She congratulated the RTM Nagpur University for organising the Tribal meet for the first time in the history of Indian Science Congress. Tribals are the best conservationists of the biodiversity. No one can look after the forest better than tribals and their traditional wisdom should be blended with the modern knowledge to achieve the sustainability.

Prof. Pardeshi Lal, Vice Chancellor of the Nagaland University,  chaired the first technical session of the tribal meet.  Natural Resource Bases Economy is the solution he came up with to balance out the economic growth of tribals with environment protection. He elaborated the role that science and technology has played in tribal upliftment and women empowerment in Nagaland.

Prof. Prakash Halami, Chief Scientist, CSIR-CFTRI unveiled the striking benefits of tribal foods.  Prof. Vinod Bala Taxak, Dr Arti Prasad and Prof. Geetanjali Dash also delivered technical lectures.

Start-Up & Career Guidance for Tribal Youth and Success Stories

As part of Tribal Meet, a special session was arranged on the start-up and career guidance for the tribal youth which saw overwhelming response. Mr. Ravindra Thakre, IAS, Dr. Prashant Bokare, Vice Chancellor, Gondwana University, Mr. Sanjay Nathe of Rojgar Noukri Sandarbha, and a handful of career experts guided the attendee students.

In another session, the social leaders from the diverse institutions working for the tribal upliftment and protection of the rights of the tribals addressed the symposium to present their ideas and visions for the empowerment of the tribal communities.

Earlier in the inauguration ceremony, RTMNU Vice Chancellor, Dr Sanjay Dudhe, said that sustainable development is the future of humanity.  “The tribal way of life has been always sustainable and in addition, tribals also managed to conserve their cultural traits so far. We all must respect our roots,” he said while appreciating the tribal students who attended the meet in large numbers. Dr. Shamrao Koreti , Convenor, set the tone of the symposium with the idea that tribals are not liability but the assets.

Mr. Aditya Shah, the 14th descendant of the Gond Raja Bakht Buland Shah, the founder of the Nagpur City hailed the meet. Dr. S. Ramakrishna, General Secretary-Membership Affairs, ISCA, Dr. Raju Hiwase, Registrar, RTMNU were present. Prof. Hina Nagbhire and Dr. Santosh Girhe conducted the meet, which started with a melodious welcome song presented by Ms. Maya Koreti .

1-Jan-2020: 107th Indian Science Congress begins on 3rd January focusing on rural development

India’s largest annual gathering of scientific luminaries from countries across the world, the 107th session of Indian Science Congress, will be held from January 3 to 7, 2020 at University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, Karnataka focusing on ‘Science & Technology: Rural Development’.

The Science Congress will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi on 3 January, 2020 at UASB, GKVK Campus. The Congress is a major focal point for scientists, researchers and academicians interested in various aspects of science discoveries and technologies.  The five-day long event aims to bring together science fraternity across the world to discuss scientific innovation and research.

The Nobel Laureates who will be participating include German physicist Professor Stefan Hell who is one of the directors of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen, Germany. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2014 ‘for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy’ and Professor Ada E. Yonath from Israel. She is a protein crystallographer who was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

Apart from this, several senior Scientists from India and abroad along with several government officials will be participating in this event to exchange their views on a range of scientific issues, both at the national and international level.

There are 28 Plenary Sessions on areas ranging from Climate Smart Agriculture for Food Security, Crop Improvement Towards Food & Nutrition Security, Materials Science And Technology For Rural Development, Challenges and Opportunities In Cancer Drug Discovery, Artificial Intelligence And Medical Technology, Advances In Basic Medical And Clinical Interactions, Non-Communicable Diseases In Rural Population as well as Cancer Research - Therapeutic Applications. The areas also include Nano Materials for Energy, Environment and Health Care, Novel Solutions for Oil and Gas Industry Problems and so on in which senior scientists and officials will discuss on the status, challenges, opportunities and scope in these research areas.

Public Lectures: Four Public lectures by eminent personalities like Nobel laureate Prof. Stefan Hell, Dr. Subra Suresh among others, covering topics like Ultrasharp Fluorescence Microscopy, science across disciplines ranging from basic science to applications in the industry, acute problem of modern medicine, life style diseases to recent advances in cardiac sciences will be organized in the Science Congress.

Sectional Sessions: Fourteen Sectional Sessions covering different disciplines of science will be organised in the Science Congress.

Farmers Science Congress: With focus on Rural Development through Science and Technology, for the first time in the history of Indian Science Congress, a Farmers Science Congress is being held. It will cover themes ranging from farmers innovation on integrated agriculture and entrepreneurship for doubling farmers income, climate change, bio-diversity, conservation, ecosystem services & farmers empowerment to agrarian distress, rural bio-entrepreneurship, policy issues. The event will have the presence of experts and scientists from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) along with farmers whose innovative approaches have led to significant contributions.

Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan (Children’s Science Congress): A two day event ‘Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan’ will be held at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, GKVK as part of the 107th Indian Science Congress on 4th and 5th January 2020. The aim is to provide a unique opportunity for children to view selected projects and interact with the student delegates and children will also have the opportunity to listen, interact with eminent scientists and Nobel Laureates. Events like one minute video competition, Infosys Foundation- ISCA Travel Awards for school Children, visit to exhibitions, live science demonstrations and science magic show will be organized as a part of the Science Congress.

Women Science Congress: The women’s science congress aims to provide single platform for women working in different arena of science and technology to showcase their achievements and experiences. It will also prepare a vision document or a road map for women in science and technology and recommend policies to enhance the role and utilize the full potential of women in science and technology. In this women are invited to share ideas and experiences to motivate the younger women to actively participate in science to identify and find simpler solutions through Science and Technology.

Former VC’s Science Congress: The former VC’s science congress addresses the urgent need in Indian higher education institutions today is to establish quality internalisation pathways through quality culture in academic, administrative and financial spheres of institutional management. Several eminent vice chancellors like Prof. S. P. Thyagarajan Former Vice Chancellor, University of Madras, Chennai and Prof N. Prabhudev, VC Bangalore University will be attending the event.

Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan - 2020 (Science Communicators Meet - 2020): “Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan” is an initiative for Science communicators' for professional growth. This programme will focus on the theme "Science & Technology: Rural Development ".  Science Communicators’ role is to facilitate public engagement with scientific issues. Science communication plays an integral part in one’s scientific career. Being able to effectively disseminate research findings within the community and to consider collective opinions in prioritizing research needs is an important attribute of scientific maturity. Thus, dissemination of scientific information and inculcation of scientific attitude among masses at large is the need of the hour.

With this broad goal, Science Communicators’ Meet will be held to bring together experts in the field of science communication with particular reference to rural development .It will provide an opportunity to academicians, science journalists, activists, filmmakers, scientists and other communicators from all over the world to meet, deliberate and exchange their views on how to develop science communication.

Mega Science Exhibition - PRIDE OF INDIA ISC EXPO: Pride of India (PIO) ISC Expo is a unique platform for organizations from government, private and public sector to showcase their achievements in the field of science and technology. The POI Expo brings together and displays hundreds of new ideas, innovations and products covering the entire canvas of scientific world. The five days will witness a large number of visitors from the corporate sector, scientific fraternity and academia, R&D institutes, defense, government, PSUs and so on.

7-Jan-2019: Five Day 106th Session of Indian Science Congress Concludes in Jalandhar

The 106th session of Indian Science Congress (ISC), 2019 concluded in Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar.  The five-day session was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and attended by Union Science & Technology Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on 3rd January, 2018. As a part of the Indian Science Congress, Women’s Science Congress was held which was inaugurated by Union Minister for Textiles & Industry Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani and concluded by Union HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar. Science Communicators’ Meet was inaugurated by Minister for Electronics & IT Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad. The Children’s Science Congress was inaugurated by the Nobel Laureates Avram Hershko from Israel and F. Duncan M. Haldane from USA.

During five days, significant lectures from three Nobel Laureates; 20 Plenary Sessions & several sectional symposia with top authorities from DRDO, ISRO, DST, ICAR, CSIR, ICMR, AICTE, NAAC, UGC, ISCA, the USA, UK Universities, were attended by nearly 30,000 participants. More than fifteen thousand delegates participated at this scientific meet.

An exhibition ‘Pride of India’ was also held during the event wherein 150 organisations including DRDO, DST, Min/o Earth Sciences, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, NPCIL, and various other scientific departments and universities participated. The major attractions of the exhibition were the replicas of Akash Missiles, Brahmos missiles, GSLV-MK III, AstroSat satellite, INSAT-4A, IRNSS Satellite.

The major attractions were the 55-feet, 25-ton massive robot ‘Metal Magna’ installed at the entrance gate. A giant microscope and a trainer plane were also displayed.

During the ISC, a solar-powered driverless bus designed and created by the students of Lovely Professional University was also inaugurated. A Time capsule with items representing today’s technology and India’s scientific prowess was buried to be opened after 100 years.

The event played a vital role in stimulating scientific research effort and raising the scientific temperament in the country and the world. During concluding ceremony, 37 awardees in the categories of Young Scientists, Best Poster presentation and Pride of India-Science Exhibition were honoured. The event at LPU, which commenced with lighting of ‘Vigyan Jyot’, was handed over to General President elect for 2019 K S Rangappa for organization of 107th ISC.

While making concluding remarks of the event, General President, Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) 2019, Dr Manoj Kumar Chakrabarti highlighted that 106th edition of ISC provided the best platform to exchange ideas and innovations among scientists gathered from across the world. He also applauded the invaluable contribution of Indian Scientists and all at different events of ISC-2019, particularly the scientific temperament of people of Punjab who participated in huge numbers.

3-Jan-2019: 106th Indian Science Congress begins on 3rd January at LPU, Phagwara

The largest gathering of scientific luminaries from countries across the world, with focus on "Future India : Science & Technology", the 106th Session of Indian Science Congress, will be held from January 3 to 7, 2019 at Lovely Professional University (LPU) campus in Phagwara, Jalandhar, Punjab.

The Science Congress will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi on 3 January, 2019 at LPU campus. The five-day long event aims to bring together science fraternity across the world to discuss scientific innovation and research.

The Nobel Laureates who will be  participating include German-American biochemist Professor Thomas Sudoph, who has been awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work on vesicle trafficking; Hungarian-born Israeli biochemist and Nobel laureate in Chemistry Professor Avram Hershko; and British born physicist Professor Frederick Duncan Michael Haldane who has been awarded 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Apart from this, several senior Scientists from India and abroad along with several government officials India will be participating in this event to exchange their views on a range of scientific issues, both at the national and international level.

There are 14 Plenary Sessions, ranging from areas like Futuristic Defence Technologies; Achievement of Agricultural Research in India; Recent Trends of Research in Neurodegenerative diseases; Diabetes; Climate Change and Health; Translational Research in Reproduction & Genetics etc. in which senior scientists and officials will discuss on the status, challenges, opportunities and scope in these research areas.

Secretaries of the Science Ministries / Departments and Chairman of ISRO will be the presenting the perspectives of their respective Ministries / departments during Special Lecture sessions.

Sectional Sessions: Fourteen Sectional Sessions covering different disciplines of science will be organised in the Congress.

Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan (Children’s Science Congress): As a part of this great event, the Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan will be organised simultaneously to provide a unique opportunity to children to use their scientific temperament and knowledge and to quench their thirst for creativity by conducting scientific experiments. Nearly 150 science projects finalized by Department of Science & Technology (DST) are to be showcased, and children will also have the opportunity to listen, interact with eminent scientists and Nobel Laureates.

The Science Exhibition will be one of the major events of the 106th Indian Science Congress. It serves as a platform towards inspiring the students, academicians and the common man, to appreciate the value of science and to cultivate scientific attitude. Major exhibitors include CSIR, ISRO, DAE, ICMR, DST, DRDO, ICAR and more.

Women Science Congress: This programme is intended to showcase the contribution of women in Science and Technology. Renowned women scientists will be delivering lectures in this session.

The Science Exhibition will be one of the major events of the 106th Indian Science Congress. It serves as a platform towards inspiring the students, academicians and the common man, to appreciate the value of science and to cultivate scientific attitude. Major exhibitors include CSIR, ISRO, DAE, ICMR, DST, DRDO, ICAR and more.

16-Mar-2018: Prime Minister inaugurates 105th Indian Science Congress

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 105th Indian Science Congress at Manipur University. He began his inaugural address by paying tributes to three very distinguished Indian scientists whom we lost in recent times – Padma Vibhushan Prof Yashpal, Padma Vibhushan Prof UR Rao and Padma Shri Dr Baldev Raj. They all made outstanding contributions to Indian science and education.

This is just the second time in over a century that the Indian Science Congress is being held in the North-East. This is a testimony to the resurgent spirit of the North East. 

Effective solutions to big problems of science and technology, also require close cooperation and coordination among scientists across diverse streams. The Union Government has initiated several new programs for the North-Eastern States, in the area of science. Agro-Meteorological Services are being provided which is benefiting over five lakh farmers. Govt is now working to expand this network to all districts of the North-East. Several new centers are bringing relevant science and technology to the North-East. An “Ethno-Medicinal Research Centre” has been set up in Manipur. This will undertake research on the wild herbs available in the North Eastern region, which have unique medicinal and aromatic properties.

The theme chosen for the Indian Science Congress this year is “Reaching the Unreached through Science and Technology”.

The Minister for science and technology stressed the need to ensure that the fruits of development reach out to the unreached people of the 115 aspirational districts of the country. Dr. Vardhan emphasised the need to develop disruptive technologies, as only such steps will help ensure the growth of the economy. In the last decade our contribution in research has trebled from Rs. 24, 000 crore to almost Rs.  85, 000 crore over the last 10 years.

The Ministries of Science & Technology, Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Earth Sciences now work in close coordination. 

The five day-long mega event will be conclude on the 20th of this month.