The 17th National Children’s Science Congress was formally inaugurated
on Sunday by Shri Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India, in the
presence of Dr. (Shrimati) Kamla, Governor of Gujarat, Shri Narendra
Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Professor Yash Pal, President of
NCSTC – Network, Shri D. Rajgopalan, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat and Shri Ravi Saxena, IAS, Principle Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Gujarat Government.

Hailing efforts made by the great scientist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai for
promoting scientific research, Professor Yash Pal, President, NCSTC
Network, the national organizer of the event, said, “Generally
children lose the curiosity as they grow and we, the elder generation,
are responsible for the phenomenon. When they wonder at the mystery of
some developments taking place during the normal course of life and
inquire about the same, we ignore them. As a result, they start
believing that raising this kind of questions doesn’t make any sense.
This kind of attitude is not fair. Instead of that, actually we,
particularly teachers, should always try to generate curiosity in the
young minds and also help them in satisfying their curiosity. In fact,
teachers should treat students as their teachers, take lead from their
curiosity and act accordingly for the sake of science popularization”.

“Knowledge exists everywhere and we don’t need to go to laboratories
to gather knowledge. The world, the surrounding all over – itself is a
laboratory and we should do experiment everywhere. Similarly,
principles of science can be applied for solutions to any kind of
problem faced during the routine life,” Prof. Yashpal added.

Pointing out that most of the people mistake technology as the
science, Gujarat’s Chief Minister Narendra Modi said that to know how
the technology work is the science. “For students, who want to make
career as a scientist, should develop skill for minute observation, as
it is a must for them.” Shri Modi also urged the child scientists to
try their best in order to find solutions to the problems caused by
the climate change. As an act of motivation, he also cited a Gujarati
scholar Pranav Mistry saying that the significant innovations made by
Mistry is going to change the dimensions of the world of technology
and everybody should visit his website to know about his miraculous
achievements.

While addressing the function, Dr. Shrimati Kamla, Governor of
Gujarat, said, “Science is a source of wonder, excitement, and
fascination for all children. Exploring, experimenting and thinking
about the world around them give each one of them skills that last for
a lifetime – skills all children should have, regardless of their
career plans.”

Before declaring the 17th NCSC open, Shri Hamid Ansari, Vice President
of India, said, “The theme of the 17th NCSC – ‘Planet Earth – Our
Home, Explore, Care and Share’ is quite relevant, as exploring,
sharing and caring of the existing resources has become a judicious
task in the present era. At the same time, Indian is far behind in
comparison with it peers on scientific research front and lack of
clear focus is responsible for the same. With absolute commitment, the
child scientists can do a lot for the interest of the country.”

While delivering the welcome address at the inaugural function, Mr.
Rajgopalan, Chief Secretary of Gujarat said “Science should be made
simple and understandable for the all-inclusive development and
National Children’s Science Congress is the right platform to promote
scientific research among the children.” He expressed hope that unlike
Copenhagen, all the child scientists gathered at the 17th NCSC would
find out some solutions to the problem of climate change. The
inauguration function began with a patriotic song – Maa Tuze Salam.

Pronouncing the vote of thanks, Shri Ravi Saxena, Principal Secretary,
Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat and convener of NCSC, said that the 17th National Children’s Science Conference would act as a stimulus for child scientists and prepare the next generation to
face the challenges of the climate change.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi hoisted the flag
and participants took oath in the. Shri Modi also inaugurated the
Science Exhibition, being organized as a part of the event.

Thousands of students from different schools of Gujarat thronged the
Science City, Ahmedabad to attend the inaugural function. Later after
the inauguration, students also participated in various technical
sessions and activity corners, being organized as a part of the event.
The prestigious national academic event, being organized for the first
time in Gujarat at Gujarat Council of Science City, in association
with SGVP International School, Ahmedabad, will conclude on December
31, 2009. The central theme of the event is ‘Planet Earth – Our Home,
Explore, Care and Share’.