Stephan D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Kasargod, Feb 27: V Muralidharan, Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs on February 27 inaugurated the 29th Swadeshi Science Congress at CPCRI here.
He appreciated the theme selected for the Congress as it is a highly relevant subject. "The entire world is on a developmental path, but at the same time, sustainability is very important. Kerala is one of the vulnerable ecosystems as far as natural calamities are concerned. But more efforts are needed to tackle deluge and droughts.
"PM Narendra Modiji emphasized that ‘Sunshine Countries’ between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn utilize sunlight and urged for the utilization of solar power. Waste management is also equally important and technology is not being successfully implemented at grassroots level to overcome waste havoc.
"Atal Innovation Mission promotes innovation in the country. Technologically are at a superior position as we have launched 104 satellites in a year. India could progress fast in the coming years. He urged that top scientists come up to the expectations of the common man to make life easy." He expressed his hope that the 29th Swadeshi Science Congress help in marching toward development at a greater pace.
The minister released a publication on ‘Farmer participatory technology transfer’ during the occasion. He distributed the i-STED papaya latex project award – The Best Papaya Farmer: A M Subrahmanyan Nair, Kalichanadukkam, Kasaragod and The Best Papaya Entrepreneur: Papain Society, Vandum Malappuram.
A Memorandum of Understanding between CPCRI and KUFOS was exchanged on the occasion.
Dr G Gopa Kumar, vice-chancellor, Central University of Kerala, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala in his speech invited researchers to develop a scientific temper while conducting research activities. When we acquired independence, there were 20 universities, 5000 colleges with a 16% literacy rate in the country to 993 universities, having 50,000 colleges. Literacy is about 80%. We use about 4% of the GDP for scientific research. It should increase to 6%. We must find solutions to leap in research for a leap in development. He hoped that it would bring changes overcoming urban orientation of education and research to rural orientation. He wished that the 29th Swadeshi Science Congress could enhance such activities for a leap.
Prof (Dr) A Ramachandran, vice-chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
In Kochi, Kerala, a large number of scientists without expectation get involved in the 29th Swadeshi Science Congress. Misuse of Science and Technology creates problems including shrinking of Vembanad backwaters and pollution in water bodies. He spoke about plastic as an alarming waste material. While emphasizing global research, he said that China contribution to research communication is to 20% of the world total while India has only 5% with around one lac publications per year. "We can imagine that the amount of research taking place worldwide has challenges ahead of us."
Scientists from Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Amrutha Institute, Central University of Kerala, Kerala Agricultural University, engineering colleges and medical research institutes are participating in the three-day programme.
Dr Rajendra Pilankatta, Central University of Kerala, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala said that SSM is an organization that links modern Science with tradition. Science is universal, but technology is local and useful to cater to the needs of the public. When we trouble nature, it reacts back in the form of calamities.
Dr K Muralidharan, head of Social Science, CPCRI and vice-president Swadeshi Science Movement, Kerala presided over the function. He mentioned that the relevance of SSM lies on philosophy and goes hand in hand with Science teaching us to honour tradition.
Vivekanda Pai, secretary, Vijnan Bharati compared SSM to an iron pillar in front of Qutub Minar which stands without rusting for hundreds of years. He mentioned the documentary of steel-making of the Adaria community by Sangeet Verma which gives a glimpse of our traditional knowledge on a strong scientific base. He mentioned they have rediscovered Chumbaka mani of aerospace.
A Padma Vibhushan Parameswarji Memorial Session on Indian Science Heritage Maiden Session on Indian Science Heritage ‘Panini, Euclid and Mendeleev’ by Prof V P N Nampoori, Emirates Professor, International School of Photonics, Kochi and plenary lectures on safety issues of healthcare medical products’ by Dr Suresh C H, senior principal Scientist, NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram were delivered.
There were eight different sessions on different scientific topics. Besides this, a six-day Science invention and technology innovation and Agri-Horti exhibition, KVT Technology meet as well as Artificial Intelligence Hackathon under KSUM at CPCRI Kasaragod will be organized.