India International Science Festival (IISF), country’s biggest ever five-day science conference will begin in Delhi from December 7. The focus will be on science for masses, particularly village-related technologies. More than 10,000 participants, including 5,000 young scientists (those aged below 45), 3,000 children from rural India and 600 foreign students will take part in it.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the event which will also be attended by Israel’s Science & Technology Minister Ofir Akunis. This is second edition of the IISF which is primarily aimed at popularising the subject of science and pool all scientific knowledge for the larger benefit of the rural masses.
The first edition of the IISF was held last year at the IIT Delhi when it had set a example in bridging the gap between Indian scientific innovations and practises. The theme of this year’s festival is “Science for the Masses”.
India has declared 2010-20 as the “Decade of Innovation”. In this context, the IISF will bring to the fore the country’s long term vision in developing and widening the spectrum of scientific temper in India and abroad, Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said.
He also said that around 5,000 young scientists will participate in the event, making it the first of its own kind scientific gathering in the world. He added that the Ministry has urged all the Members of Parliament to make sure that at least five students should participate from their adopted villages under the Saansad Aadarsh Gram Yojna to participate in the fest.
The Minister named it “Science Village”, a new concept with an aim to provide hands on science experiments to the village students, showcasing them village-related technologies, which have been developed or to be developed.
“This is the first time in the history of India, the Members of Parliament across the party line sending more than 3,000 young children from their adopted villages to the science festival,” he said.
However, the response from the elected representatives has been poor as on till Friday just 179 Members of Parliament out of total 793 MPs from both the Houses have nominated students for the Science Village.
“Village-related technologies, which have been developed or to be developed will be showcased during the festival. We have to see people’s problem, particularly those of villages are solved through science. The science village will focus on that.”
The festival is being organised by the Union Science and Technology Ministry and RSS-linked Vijnan Bharati (VIBHA). The festival primarily aims to involve and include commoners with a view to improve their scientific understanding, temperament and appreciation for various feats in science & technology by showcasing Indian achievements, said DK Aswal, Director, NPl.
Besides Science Village, the IISF will have events lined up such as Young Scientists Conclave, Mega Science & Technology Exposition, Scientific Workshops including DST-INSPIRE national-level camp, International Science Film Festival and industry-academia interactive meet.