vibrant gujarat - weeklong celebration of national science day
TRANSCRIPT
Proceedings Report on
“Weeklong Celebration of
National Science Day” Date: 28th February – 6th March, 2014 Venue: Science City, Ahmedabad
Organized by Supported by
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
About the Conference .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Day 1 – 28th February ........................................................................................................... 3
Inaugural Session ........................................................................................................................................... 3
List of Dignitaries ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Welcome Address by Smt. Sangeeta Singh; Principal Secretary, Higher & Technical Education, Government of Gujarat, ............................................................................................................................ 4
Address by Shri. S. J. Haider; Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat ................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Address by Dr. J. S. Parihar; Scientist, Space Applications Centre, ISRO ................................................. 5
Address by Dr. B. K. Rastogi, Director General, Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) ..................... 5
Popular Science Lecture ............................................................................................................... 6
Science Drama ............................................................................................................................. 6
Day 2-6 – 1st-5th March .......................................................................................................... 6
Day 7 – 6th March .................................................................................................................. 8
Theme ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Way Forward ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
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About the Conference
In order to inculcate scientific temper among the younger generation and celebrate the National Science
day in the memory of Dr. C V Raman, a week-long Science Carnival was organized by Gujarat Council of
Science City and Gujarat Council of Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology,
Government of Gujarat at Science City with a focal theme of ‘fostering scientific temper’.
The celebration included a number activities including workshops, film shows, science drama,
demonstrations, sky observation and popular science lectures. This event was organized as a part of the
pre summit events as a run up to the Vibrant Gujarat 2015 summit under the t youth & skill
development and knowledge sharing themes, two of the five key development areas identified for
inclusive development
Day 1 – 28th February
Inaugural Session Shri. Ashok Mehta, Executive Director, Gujarat Council of Science City, Department of Science and
Technology, Government of Gujarat welcomed the dignitaries and participants. Smt. Sangeeta Singh,
Principal Secretary, Higher and Technical Education, Government of Gujarat was the Chief Guest at the
event. More than 1500 students attended the inaugural programme and about 5000 visitors visited
Science City and attended the National Science Day programme. 50 exhibition stalls demonstrating
scientific research and its impacts in the society had been set up by scientific institutions like Institute of
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Plasma Research, INTEL, Zee learning, Geer Foundation, Nirma University, INDUS University, Futurz
xplored along with 18 Community Science Centers of different district of Gujarat.
List of Dignitaries Name Organization Designation
Smt. Sangeeta Singh Higher & Technical Education,
Government of Gujarat Principal Secretary
Shri. S. J. Haider
Department of Science &
Technology, Government of
Gujarat
Secretary
Dr. J. S. Parihar Space Applications Centre, ISRO Scientist
Dr B K Rastogi Institute of Seismological Research
(ISR) Director General
Shri. Ashok Mehta Gujarat Council Science City Executive Director
Shri. T. P. Singh Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG)
Director
Shri A. K. Saxena Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM)
Mission Director
Chief Guest Address by Smt. Sangeeta Singh, Principal Secretary, Higher & Technical Education, Government of Gujarat, Inaugurating the National Science Day programme and Science Carnival, Smt. Sangeeta Singh expressed
that scientific temper should be the part of the daily life so that every individual can develop the sense
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of curiosity for life-long learning. She urged the students that the next decade is going to be the decade
for India as the country is now having 62% of youth within the age group of 25-35 years.
Address by Shri. S. J. Haider; Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat
Shri. S. J. Haider in his address explained
that science may be defined as the art of
understanding realities of the world
based on rational thinking and logical
conclusions. He highlighted the
importance of scientific literacy among
one and all in the society. Every child is a
borne scientist with inquisitiveness and
questioning. He emphasized that
scientific temper is the need of hour and
“thinking scientifically and acting
scientifically” should be the best practice
for a better future.
Address by Dr. J. S. Parihar; Scientist, Space Applications Centre, ISRO Dr. J. S. Parihar outstanding scientist, Space Applications Centre, ISRO in his remark informed that the
Science & Technology has a greater role in the transformation of the society. Sharing the success stories
of Indian Space Science, Dr. Parihar urged the students to take interest in science and to become good
scientist in the future. The country needs many scientists to strengthen the S&T base and to lead at the
front.
Address by Dr. B. K. Rastogi, Director General, Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) Dr. B. K. Rastogi, Director General, Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) had given a brief background
of the National Science Day celebration and informed the students that there is a strong demand for
Science & Technology in society. Young students should pursue a career in Science andstrengthen
country’s scientific contribution. He also introduced to the students and audiences the scientific studies
and research being done at ISR in the areas of siesmology and early earthquake predication and risk
mitigation.
Message from Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Advisor, Gujarat Council of
Science and Technology
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Dr. Narottam Sahoo expressed that fundamental science paves the way to future innovation and has a
vital role to play in today’s competitive world. Fundamental research has the power to make people
dream, and it attracts the innovators of the future into science. Without the excitement provided by
research and discovery at the frontiers of knowledge, the pool of scientists would undoubtedly be
smaller. It is fundamental science that lays the long-term foundations for innovation and prosperity and
through Science Carnival and Science celebrations; we can achieve the goal.
Popular Science Lecture
The inaugural session followed by an interesting session on Youth Parliament. About 300 students from
different colleges participated in the mock parliament and brainstorm on a theme whether scientific
temperament should be imparted through a special law. The session was initiated by a brief
presentation and interaction on celebrating democratic rights by the officials from Chief Election
Commissioner of the State.
Science Drama
Need for Scientific Temper
Pollution free Planet
About 3650 participants including school and college students and teachers, media members, general
visitors participated in various programmes and activities on the first day of the National Science Day
celebration with Science Carnival programme.
Day 2-6 – 1st-5th March
Various events such as work shops, popular science lectures and Science Dramas were held from Day 2
to Day 6 with each day’s events focussed around a theme that ultimately furthered the central theme of
fostering scientific tember among the youths. With enthusiastic participation and experiencial learning
and development that ignited and inspired young minds through various sensory and cognitive
experiences , the event proved to be a great success.
Date Theme Workshop Popular Science Lecture Science Drama
1st March Creativity & Innovation
Ham Radio Weather Forecasting and Cyclone Monitoring and Prediction
Health and Hygiene
Need Scientific Temper
Jal Sahkar
2nd March Opportunity in Basic Science
Energy Saving Devices
Space Science & Technology
The Determined Mind
Treatment of Anaghadpur
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3rd March Engineering the Future
Engineering the Future
Nuclear energy- An inevitable option
Health & Hygiene
The Punishment
Surya Kahu Ya Chanda: Aryabhatt
4th March Youth Engagement in Science
Design for future Green Energy
Health & Hygiene
5th March State INSPIRE Programme For Innovative Research
Chemistry Demonstration
Plastic Recycling and Waste Management
Health & Hygiene
Bhag Bacha Raxas Aaya
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Day 7 – 6th March Theme
The theme of the day was Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The events on the last day of the carnival
focused on spreading awareness among students and particular young researchers from academia and
professional agencies about IPR for technology and in emerging areas of technological applications.
The event concluded with a valedictory function. The Science Carnival covered a wide range of scientific
topics like; atomic energy, environmental science, marine science, geomagnetism, space research and
development, plasma research, cancer research, education, robotics, meteorology, chemistry, health,
astronomy and astrophysics, medicine, surgery, genetics and modern biology, etc. It included exhibitions
of working models, demonstrations, posters and film shows that highlighted research and technology
development efforts.
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Way Forward
1. To continue the efforts and initiatives of inculcating scientist temper among the students and youths
2. To launch the Gujarat State Innovation Portal and Policy that will create the ecosystem within the
state to boost and promote innovation and R&D.
3. Organize knowledge tours for the students and youths to visit and see the research facilities and the
current work being done at ISR, BISAG, GSBTM,GCSC in areas of earthquake science & seismology,
satellite communication, biotechnology, IT, Telecommuncation and other areas of scienc and
technology.