103rd Indian Science Congress Concludes with A Call for Serious Pursuit of Science

Introduction

The Governor of Karnataka Shri Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala urged the youth to focus on their education in their crucial age of education. Delivering his valedictory speech at the concluding ceremony of the 103rd Indian Science Congress last evening, he said boys should leave their addictions for other elements and girls may not bother about fashion during their studies. He passionately pleaded that youth should pursue science. The Chief Guest on the occasion, former Prime Minister Shri H D Deve Gowda said that Science should be pursued for the benefit of Humanity. The Guest of Honour, the Karnataka Minister for Higher Education, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Shri T.B.Jayachandra said that India had a Glorious past and rich heritage of Science & Technology. He said the former Prime Minister late Shri Rajiv Gandhi had been very serious to promote Science & Technology in the country. The annual Indian Science Congress held between Jan 3rd to Jan 7th, with its theme “Science and technology for indigenous development in India” was inaugurated and presided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Make in India” a term coined by the PM. 

In over 50 halls around the Mysore University campus, 620 hours of platform presentations on science were attended by large number of people. This includes plenary sessions, sectional sessions and special talks. Over 5000 speakers delivered talks and a total of 12500 delegates and 500 Scientists participated at the 103rd Indian Science Congress. Over 150 institutions from around India and abroad took part in the meet. 

Sectional sessions and symposiums were held on 14 topics, namely, Agriculture and Forensic Science, Animal, Veterinary and Fishery Sciences, Anthropological and Behavioral Sciences, Chemical Science, Earth System Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Environment Sciences, Information and Communication Science and Technology, Material Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Sciences, New Biology, Physical Sciences and Plant Sciences. 

The most awaited part of the ISC was the talks by Nobel laureates Scientists; Prof John B Gurdon, UK, Nobel in 2012 for Medicine, Prof Manjul Bhargava, USA, Fields Medal (Nobel Equivalent) in 2014, Prof David J Gross, USA, Nobel in 2004 for Physics, Prof Dan Shechtman, Israel, Nobel in 2011 for Chemistry, Prof Serge Haroche, France, Nobel in 2012 for Physics and Arthur B. McDonald, Canada, Nobel in 2015 for Physics. 

Eminent Indian Scientists like Prof C N R Rao, Prof Kasturirangan and Prof Goverdhan Mehta and others also delivered lectures and expressed their views on the science development in the country. The 103rd Indian Science Congress was a feast for the intellectual minds as it explored various aspects of science. It was declared that the next annual Indian Science Congress will be held between Jan 3rd to Jan 7th, 2017 at SRM University in Chennai. 

Woman’s Science Congress which was inaugurated by HRD Minister Mrs. Smriti Zubin Irani calling for inclusive participation of women was appreciated by all. Children Science Congress which was inaugurated by Nobel Laureate John B Gurdon called for youth participation and added that it is necessary that we introduce and create awareness among children at early age. Children, who achieved great feat in the field of science and technology were identified and felicitated. 

Science Exhibition was a major attraction in the 103rd Indian Science Congress which features exhibits from DRDO, ONGC, Biocon, NTPC, HAL, KBITS, ASL, and various other organizations both private and government attracted a huge crowd. This also featured a Hall of Fame, an apt tribute to our former President, Late Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The other crowd puller was Children exhibition arena as part of Children Science Congress. School children from across the city visited the exhibition and got insight. 

Source

Press Information Bureau, January 08, 2016