Advisor Bhatnagar Inaugurates “Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate” a weeklong Science Festival at JU
Jammu: To celebrate Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav, a week-long Science Festival showcasing 75 years of achievements in Science in India Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt. Governor, J&K UT inaugurated the festival titled “Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate” at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu.
Chief Guest of the event, Advisor Bhatnagar, stimulated the audience with the latest developments in science and technology world over. He further asked the students and young minds to inculcate a scientific way of learning and innovate to compete at the global level.
Bhatnagar further highlighted the sincere efforts of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir in developing the research ecosystem and providing solutions to several day to day life problems faced by a common man. India has been a leader in science and technology and is expected to lead the world in the coming years to solve serious issues faced by mankind.
He elaborated that National Education Policy (NEP) envisages bringing scientific awareness and skill development in the Country. The Advisor congratulated the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Manoj K. Dhar and other members of the Organizing Committee of the University for organizing the function in a splendid manner and also meticulously planning the events to be held during the festival. Prof. Manoj K Dhar, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu in his presidential address thanked
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India for selecting the Jammu University among the 75 institutions across India for holding this valuable event. In his stimulating remarks he made mention of 10 big things which are going to happen in the next 10 years and encouraged young students to choose Science as a Career.
Prof. Dhar envisaged the desired scientific innovations for solving the local and national level challenges in the next 25 years. He also emphasized the role of ethical and moral principles in the application of Science for the welfare of mankind. Prof Dhar further said that the event is being conducted throughout the length and breadth of the country in a digital mode and also at seventy five institutions of higher learning and research in India. The event will host 75 expositions, 75 lectures, 75 films, 75 radio talks, 75 science literary activities, and more through a hybrid mode.
Prof. R.K. Sinha,Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU, Guest of Honour on the occasion deliberated on the local challenges faced by the masses for earning their livelihood. He motivated the young minds and faculty to take the local issues and find their innovative solutions to improve the living conditions of the common people. Earlier, Prof. Rajni Kant, Convener of the program provided an explicit overview of the events to be organized during the week-long celebrations. He further enlightened the audience about the background and the roles of the different agencies like DST, DBT, CSIR, DRDO, AICTE, DAE etc.. in promoting science culture, and scientific temperament in the country, while playing pivotal role in the progress of the country through scientific and technological innovations.
The Science Communication Popularization & its Extension (SCoPE) will be the central theme of the week-long science celebrations. About 1700 participants have registered for the event to participate in essay writing, quiz competition, poetry, book exhibitions, poster sessions and many more. Earlier, Prof. Rajni Dhingra, Dean Research Studies, JU delivered a formal welcome address Prof. Meena Sharma, Dean, Planning and Development, proposed a formal vote of thanks and proceedings of the event were conducted by Dr. Garima Gupta. It is noteworthy to mention here that the local inaugural function was followed by the live streaming of the National level grand inaugural function organized by Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi, Govt of India. The National event was inaugurated by Sh. G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Culture, Government of India, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India, Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, Dr. S Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, Dr Nakul Parashar, Director, Vigyan Prasar and Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India.The event was attended by more than 300 delegates including research scholars and students from different colleges and Universities.
Prominent among those who attended the event were Dr. D.S. Reddy, Director, IIIM, Prof. Bechan Lal, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu, Deans, Rectors, Directors, Prof. Pankaj Srivastava, President JUTA, Heads of the departments, faculty and officers of the JU and other institutions.