Elected representatives of both the Houses will, for the first time, get a first-hand feel of the promising innovations and technological interventions carried out by the country's scientists over the years that have played a catalytic role in improving the quality of lives of people in various spheres, at an exhibition to be kickstarted from Friday at the Parliament Annexe.
The fortnight-long exhibition which will be inaugurated by Vice-President Hamid Ansari in the presence of lok Sabha Chairperson Sumitra Mahjan besides Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan among others will display people-oriented key technologies developed by various autonomous institutions attached with Ministries including the MoST and MoES.
Institutions like Department of Science and Technology, Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Bhaba Atomic Research Centre are engaged in strategic sectors like aerospace and strategic sector, atomic, ecology and environment, industry, mineral and mining, water, food and nutrition, health care and chemicals and petrochemicals among others.
"literature and demonstrations in the new technologies as well as those which are already in huge demand among the people will be displayed at the exhibition. Visiting MPs will be educated and encouraged to help popularise them among their electorate," said a senior official from the CSIR, a nodal agency entrusted to organise the mammoth exhibition.
The CSIR which celebrated its Platinum Jubilee in 2016 will be at the forefront in displaying its numerous state-of-the-art technologies developed by its various laboratories in areas such as metal energy, aromatic herbal plants and food and food processing and others.
'Also, people-friendly healthcare products like clot booster drugs, contraceptive medicine Saheli and anti-diabetes drug BGR-34 which during a short span of less than a year have found acceptance among diabetic patients throughout the country with a sale of approximately `100 crores will be showcased.
"Similarly, aromatic herbal plants and solar tree that takes up only four square feet of space but generates 5 kW of electricity will be displayed," said the official.
"The aim is to sensitise and educate the Parliamentarians about the science and technological innovations being undertaken in the country which can bring changes in the lives of the people," he said.
On Wednesday, Dr Harsh Vardhan while replying to a supplementary question in lok Sabha too invited the MPs to visit the mega exhibition and get a first-hand experience about how the scientists are contributing in making positive changes in the lives of the people.