Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)
Mangaluru, Feb 10: 'Analyst-2015', a national-level inter-collegiate fest organized by the members of 'Alchemy', an association of the department of post graduate studies in chemistry, St Aloysius College (Autonomous), was inaugurated at the College campus here on Tuesday February 10.
Former vice-chancellor, Kuvempu University, Shimoga Prof B S Sherigara inaugurated the event.
Addressing the gathering Prof B S Sherigara said, "Analyst means one who analyzes. Alchemy is an ancient type of chemistry. You are in modern times, but it does not mean you can ignore the contribution of alchemy. It is a mystical chemistry, which existed in medieval times.
"You will be surprised to know, if you touched anything with alchemy stone it would turn into gold. So there was greed for gold during that time, and people were looking for Elixir, which was the potion for immortality. These were the objects of philosophers or alchemists in those times. Their contribution was significant because they developed certain techniques like distilation, fermentation, extraction of metals, preperation of alloys. All these techniques were developed by them without knowing any chemistry of science. That is the beauty of it. That is why we say technology came first and science followed it. Now it is the reverse," he said.
"Chemistry is fun, you can enjoy while learning. It is a unique subject. Chemists are always in demand. All the principles of chemisty are testable, explanatory and not absolute. It is ever changing," he added.
"Nano technology existed in older days also, but we could not identify it because we did not have the instruments to do so. Now with the arrival of sophisticated instruments like scanning electron microscopes and atomic force microscopes, it is possible to see, understand and characterize these components," Prof Sherigara said.
"Everybody should be very creative. You should have research bent of mind. You should know the basics about research. Every research should benefit the human kind. You cannot ignore mankind. Basic researches which were carried out earlier are the technology of today. Teaching and research should go together," he opined.
In his presidential address, principal of St Aloysius College, Fr Swebert D'Silva said that students should think outside the box. "Students should be creative and that is when you will earn success. Chemistry is a subject which is very important and interesting in today's world. It is highly applicable for the development of human life. Even if we begin our journey in a small way we can achieve something big in future. Prof Sherigara himself is an example for all of us," he said.
Professor Dr Richard Gonsalves welcomed the gathering. Deepthi and team from II M.Sc conducted prayer service, Sanjana and Deepa joined together and welcomed the guests with an inaugural dance. Convener Prof Dimple Pinto proposed the vote of thanks. Reshma Mascarenhas, II MSc student, compered the ceremony.
Student coordinator Nishmitha, Adithya Bhandary, registrar Prof A M Narahari, Dr Ronald Pinto, Ivan Pinto and others were also present on this occasion.