Despite the border tension, China is among the countries invited by India to a Science and Technology Ministers’ conclave to be held in Chennai next month.
The Science Ministers of Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia are among the others invited to the meeting that will discuss how science and technology can address the common challenges in these countries.
Showcases feat
The conclave is part of the India International Science Festival (IISF), a three-year-old mela of students and scientists, that showcases contemporary and historical achievements of Indian science. It is organised by the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak-linked Vijnana Bharti and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
“This year, for the first time, we are having such a ministers’ conclave and invited the Science and Technology Ministers from neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and China...,” Jayakumar A., secretary, Vijnana Bharti, told The Hindu. The Hindu could not establish whether the countries have confirmed participation. An email and calls to Arabinda Mitra, head of the Department of Science and Technology’s bilateral science cooperation division, weren’t returned.
The latest edition of the IISF will be held at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras; Anna University; and the National Institute of Ocean Technology.
The IISF is largely a platform for science-and-technology-themed exhibitions.
At the first IISF held at the IIT-Delhi, students congregated to set a ‘Guinness world record’ for the world’s “largest science lesson”.