Outreach programme for promotion of IISF 2019 organized at IMTECH

Chandigarh: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) and its sister laboratory CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIO) recently jointly organized an outreach programme for promotion of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2019.

IISF 2019 is being organized at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre & Science City, Kolkata from 5th to 8th November 2019. In what is being termed as the biggest conglomeration of scientists, students, researchers and entrepreneurs, IISF 2019 is expected to have more than 12,000 participants from India and abroad who will be participating in more than two dozen scientific and frugal innovation related events. Chandigarh chapter of this outreach programme was organized to give a momentum to IISF 2019 for increased participation from length and breadth of the country by organizing lectures and showcasing India’s contributions in the field of Science & Technology over the years.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of the organising committee of IISF 2019 was Mr Jayant Sahasrabudhe, National Organising Secretary, Vijnana Bharti who emphasized on such events, which celebrate science and help to induct a scientific temper amongst the youth of the country. In his outreach lecture, he harped upon the fact that events like IISF help science to reach to masses, which is the biggest challenge in a diverse country like India.

Speaking at the occasion he said, “Students Science Village programme as part of IISF 2019 is linked to the “Pradhan Mantri Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana” through which each Member of Parliament will nominate five students and one teacher delegate from their adopted village. The Science Village shall demonstrate a mass representation from the rural part of India. The expected number of delegates is around 3,000.”

IISF is now into its 5th year edition and is a platform jointly supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in association with Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA). IISF was launched in 2015 to promote Science and Technology and demonstrate how science could lead India towards a developed nation within a short span of time. The aim is to engage public with science and celebrate the joy of science. It shows how Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) provide us with the solutions to improve our lives and harps on frugal innovation.

This programme was presided by Dr. Manoj Raje (Officiating Director, CSIR-IMTECH) and Prof R.K Sinha, Director, CSIR-CSIO.