India International Science Festival-2020 will showcase 41 events highlighting multi-dimensional aspects of science, technology, and innovation in India
At such an event at CSIR – Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, Dr. Shekhar C Mande, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Chairman, Steering Committee, IISF – 2020, in his keynote address, said that this is a much-awaited annual event and in spite of the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 global pandemic the event being organized itself signifies the indomitable spirit of nurturing and celebrating scientific temperament among all the stakeholders. The theme of IISF 2020: “Science for Self Reliant India and Global Welfare is expected to deliberate on the role of Science, Technology, and Innovation to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat and also provide solutions to global problems, he said.
Smt Neelima Katiyar, Minister of State for Higher Education and Science & Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh was the Chief Guest of the function, and Smt. Sanyukta Bhatia, Mayor of Lucknow graced the event as the Guest of Honour.
Earlier welcoming the participants, Dr. Saroj K Barik, Director, CSIR – IITR said that the festival is an opportunity for young scientists to interact, share ideas, and collaborate for greater global benefits.
Shri Jayant Sahasrabudhe, National Organizing Secretary and Sri Shreyansh Mandloi, Organizing Secretary Awadh Prant, Vijnana Bharti also interacted with the participants through the online mode and urged the schools and colleges to participate in large numbers and use the IISF platform to understand the intrinsic role of science and technology in our daily lives.
In another function, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow organized an online curtain raiser ceremony. In this program, Dr. S.K. Barik, Director, CSIR-NBRI gave opening remarks, and the Organizing Secretary, VIBHA-Awadh Prant, U.P. Er. ShreyanshMandloi delivered a lecture about the significance of the IISF. Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR delivered the keynote address. Shri Brijesh Pathak, Cabinet Minister, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, was the Chief Guest of this event.
In Chandigarh, CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), also organized a pre-event curtain-raiser for IISF-2020. Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Director-General, ICAR, New Delhi was the chief guest of this virtual event. Dr. Nagendra Prabhu, Associate Professor, S.D. College, Allepy, Kerala and Dr. Brajendra Parmar, Principal Scientist, ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad delivered the keynote lectures. The central theme of this program was “Science for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment”.
Similarly, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) organized the IISF’s Curtain Raiser event on YouTube Channel. MoES is one of the organizers of the 6th India International Science Festival. Dr. M. Mohapatra, DGM, IMD delivered the welcome address. Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Former Secretary, MoES was the chief guest of this event. The theme of this program was “Weather and Climate Services for Self Reliant India & Global Welfare”. Dr. Sathi Devi, Dr. D.S. Pai, Dr. R.K. Jenamani, Shri K.N. Mohan, Dr. A.K. Mitra, Dr. S.D. Attri, Dr. Ashok Kumar Das, and Dr. R.K. Giri were the other speakers of this program.
India International Science Festival is a unique combination of seminars, workshops, exhibitions, discussions, and debates with several interactive forms of engagement including hands-on demonstrations, dialogues with experts, and scientific theatre, music, and Poetry. 41 events have been identified to be held at IISF-2020. This year the festival begins on December 22, 2020, and culminates on December 25, 2020, the birthdays of world-renowned Indian Mathematician Srinivas Ramanujan and former Prime Minister of the country Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, respectively. Both these stalwarts were deeply committed to the belief that science and technology will always be at the core of the nation’s progress.