Science Carnival concludes in Gujarat with 14,000 students and visitors

Ahmedabad

Finally, the spirit of science and scientific awareness overcomes the fear of Swine flu and about 14,000 school and college students participated the National Science Day programme and week-long Science Carnival in Science City.

The week-long Science Carnival was organized by Gujarat Science City and Gujarat Council on Science & technology (GUJCOST) to mark the celebration of National Science Day, The programme included 29th Session of Gujarat Science Congress, Scientific exhibitions by premier scientific institutions, hands-on training workshop, screening of scientific films, popular science lectures, science drama and night sky observation.

Shri Govindbhai Patel, Minister of State for Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat inaugurated the programme on 28th Feb 2015 at 10.30 hrs in Science City in presence of very eminent scientists and policy makers of the country.

The inaugural session witnessed the gracious presence of Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt of India, Shri S. J. Haider, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt of Gujarat and Padma Bibhushan Prof. V. S. Ramamurthy, Former Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India.

S Chandrasekhar Chair Professor Dr. Abhijit Sen of Institute of Plasma Research, Gandhinagar delivered the National Science Day address and advised the students and teachers to have a strong interest in science and technology for the nation building.

Prof A. K. Singhvi, eminent scientist and President of Gujarat Science Academy (GSA) briefed on the highlights of the 29th session of the Gujarat Science Congress programmes.

The Science Carnival also had popular science lectures and interactions on the cutting edge of science and technology with eminent scientists and personality including Dr. A. S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, Govt of India and Dr. Shailesh Naik, Secretary, Department of Earth Sciences, Govt of India and Prof. Goverdhan Mehta, former President, International Council for the Scientific Unions and National Professor, University of Hyderabad

A programme also included a symposium on the “Future Trends in Science and Technology” with interesting lectures by eminent scientists on various aspects of Future Challenges in Science, Technology and its Applications. Prof. Dhiraj Bora, Director, Institute of Plasma Research, Gandhinagar, Prof. S.C. Sahasrabudhe, Former Director, DA-IICT, Gandhinagar, Dr. B. K. Rastogi, Director General, Institute of Seismological Research, Gandhingar conducted different interactive sessions on the theme.

The entire Carnival had a series of hands-on training and workshop on Mobile Apps for science communicators and teachers who got an orientation through various mode of digital literacy to make their teaching – learning programme interesting in classrooms. A workshop on science communication through tweeter was also organized for the young faculties and teachers to explore the power of digital literacy for so many purposes.

At the outskirt of Swine Flu, the Science Carnival had a greater challenge to aware citizen about the scientific temperament and habits to be a change maker to change the mindset for capturing new heights in science literacy, creativity and innovation to lead the future.

Though there were fears of Swine flu, unseasonal rain and bad weather and the examination schedules, about 14,000 students, teachers and general public participated the programme in Science City. This shows that the new generation has an inclination towards science and technology which is a good sign for nation building.

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