The national Capital is all geared up to host the last leg of Mega Science exhibition, Vigyan Samagam — showcasing India's contribution to global collaborations on fundamental and science research — from Tuesday at National Science Centre at Pragati Maidan.
The exhibition which has garnered over 5.5 lakh visitors till date from the three previous editions starting from Mumbai (May 8-July 7, 2019), Bengaluru, Kolkatta will be inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Deaprtment of Atomic Energy and Space here.
The mega Science Projects in which India is participating are mostly related to exploring the universe from different perspective. For instance, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR), India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO), International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), Laser Interferometer Gravitational - Wave Observatory (LIGO), Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiments (MACE), Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT).
"All these projects work on cutting edge technologies which our Indian institutions will be exposed to and will develop industrial capacity. Presence in mega science projects with multi-national participation keeps us on the same platform as other developed countries," said Arun Srivastava Secretary Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), at the curtain raiser of the Vigyan Samagam here recently.
He said, "This initiative shows how India has grown at par with its global peers in terms of research and how important is its contribution to the scientific community." The exhibition will conclude on March 20, 2020.
Dr Praveer Asthana, Head of INSPIRE and Mega Science Divisions, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Delhi emphasised the relevance of Vigyan Samagam in establishing science as an attractive career option. He said, "The scientific community in India needs more scientists and what better way to encourage youngsters than providing them a platform to experience the thrill of science through live projects.
"Vigyan Samagam will have much more than just projects as we have arranged many lectures and talks from the scientists which students can participate in and gather more knowledge about their interests. We want more students to take science as a career option in future."
Director of the National Science Centre Delhi, D Rama Sarma, through a message said that the National Science Centre Delhi will witness Vigyan Samagam as one of the major attractions and will provide an opportunity for students and science enthusiasts to gather more information about the mega science projects and deepen the awareness about the exciting world of front-ranking science and technology.