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New Delhi, Nov 30: A two-days National Conference for Science Communicators and Science Teachers began here today on the theme of Indian Independence Movement & the Role of Science”.
The meet was organised as a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Indian scientists, science communicators, and science teachers during the Indian Independence Movement, as India stepped into the 75th year of its independence. The programme was designed to remember their unmatched contribution as individuals, institutions, and movements that laid the foundation of our present-day Science & Technology.
The conference has six plenary sessions on `Science as a Tool for Subjugation’, `Science as a Tool for Liberation: Role of Scientists’, `Science as a Tool for Liberation: Role of Institutions – Academic, Industrial & Research’, `Science as a Tool for Liberation: Role of Movements’, Science as a Tool for Liberation: Role of Policy and Planning’, and `Science as a Tool for Liberation: Vision of our Scientists’.
Presiding over the inaugural function of the programme, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and CSIR Director General, Dr.Shekhar C. Mande, noted that there were several unsung heroes of Indian science from the pre-independence era such as Dr SambhuNathDey and Dr SankarAabha, who played a major role in the freedom movement and laid the foundation for Indian S&T. There was a need to talk about them and their work so that they could be an inspiration for the younger generation, he said.
Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Dr. Rajesh Kotecha, noted that Ayurveda and other Indian systems of medicine has been playing an important role in meeting the health needs of the country and emphasised the need to give them adequate attention. India’s indigenous knowledge in medicine has large potential and needs to be fully tapped. Ashwagandha, for instance, is increasingly becoming popular internationally and the country must try to make best use of the growing demand for it.
Delivering the keynote address, National Organizing Secretary, VijnanaBharati, Mr JayantSahasrabudhe, urged for remembering the patriotic spirit of Indian scientists who squarely
challenged the discriminatory and hegemonic tendencies of the British as the warriors of struggle to attain independence. Director, National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), Dr RanjanaAggarwal, and Director, VigyanPrasar, Dr NakulParashar were also present on the occasion.
The conference is jointly organised by CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, Vigyan Prasar and Vijnana Bharati.
