Kerala to join March for Science

Scientists, research scholars, science teachers and students in Kerala will join hands with their counterparts in hundreds of cities across the world on April 14 in the March for Science, an international movement to safeguard science and create a scientific temper among the masses.

Last year, about 10 lakh people from the scientific fraternity had participated in the March for Science held in 600 cities to rally support for policy interventions and more funds for scientific research and register concern over the attacks on science and scientists.

In India, the march will focus on the dip in funding for science research, the lack of scientific temper among the political leadership and the propagation of unscientific ideas in society by vested interests.

A press note by the organisers here on Thursday said the march would highlight the demand to earmark 3% of India’s GDP for science research and 10% for education.

As many as 300 eminent Indian scientists have issued a call for participation in March for Science 2018.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the march would begin from the Institution of Engineers hall. A seminar on ‘Building a scientific young mind: Why and How’ is also being organised.

Similar events are scheduled to be held at other district headquarters.