Oman Times
Muscat, May 9: Maneka Gandhi, who is visiting Oman today to attend the ‘Science India Fiesta-2008’ organised by the Science India Forum Muscat under the patronage of the Indian Embassy, will be conferred the Jayakar Award.
She will be the second recipient of this prestigious award after Isro Chairman Dr Madhavan Nair.
This award is instituted in memory of Dr A.S.G. Jayakar of Indian Medical Science who worked in Muscat from 1870 to 1900 and did pioneering work in natural science research and linguistics. Science India Fiesta will be held today and tomorrow for the benefit of students in the 15 Indian schools.
Today, the programme will commence with the Eco Meet to be held at the Indian School Darsait where all the students of the Indian schools will assemble. There will be elocution contest, debate and Eco research. This will be followed by prize distribution by the chief guest to all those students who obtained ‘A’ grade in the Sastra Prathiba Contest held in October 2007. Tomorrow, the function will be at Al Falaj Hotel and Ambassador Anil Wadhwa will inaugurate the ‘Science India Fiesta’ at 10am, followed by a panel discussion on the topic ‘Environment protection.’
The students will exhibit their scientific talent by way of working models depicting how to conserve our environment. There will be a quiz contest testing environment awareness amongst the students.
The grand finale will be the felicitation of the 21 Sastra Prathibas and presentation of the Jayakar Award to Maneka Gandhi and the ambassador’s rolling trophy to the winning school principals. The show will end with scintillating dances performed by students from the five capital schools. The invitation is open to all science lovers. Maneka Gandhi has been chosen for this award this year for being an ardent environmentalist who brought to the main stream the issue of animal rights in India. K. Jayakumar IAS who is currently serving as the principal secretary, water resources department and agricultural production commissioner with government of Kerala, will be the guest of honour. He will speak on the topic “Conservation of Water Resources” tomorrow at Hotel Al Falaj Le Grande Hall. Also accompanying the delegates is A. Jayakumar from Vigyan Bharati — India. Jayakumar started the ‘Swadeshi Science Movement’ in Kerala and it has since gained tremendous popularity all over India.