COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
Anusandhan Bhawan, 2, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001
Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari
Director General, CSIR & Secretary, Government of India
Department of Scientific & Industrial Research
MESSAGE
It gives me great pleasure to learn that the Jadavpur University Alumni Association, Hyderabad Chapter is organizing a Symposium on Popular Science for school children
on 29 August 2009.
The importance of the Symposium on Popular Science cannot be over emphasized. It is recognized globally that public understanding of science and technology is critical for its acceptance by the masses and also for its sustainable use. Public communication of science thus assumes great importance. To get public appreciation and support, the benefits of science have to be translated into the everyday language of people. There is an enormous range of grave social issues where science is central to the solution - from greenhouse warming and ozone depletion to nuclear arms race and the Swine flu pand-mic. For science, engineering and technology to thrive, it must be embedded in the society it serves.
The academicians and the media have a role to play, no doubt but scientists too must recognize their responsibility. There is no substitute for scientists speaking directly to people about their own work.
I am certain that the Symposium will help demystify science and thus attract fresh talent into its fold; paving the way for the education of the bright young scientists of tomorrow.
I wish the Symposium on Popular Science for school children, every success.
(Samik K. Brahmachari)
Telephone Office: 23710472, 23717053, Fax: 91-11-23710618; Residence: 91-11-26834596
E-mail: dgcsir@csir.res.in&dg@cslr.res.in
Dr P M Bhargava
Former Vice Chairman,
National Knowledge Commission, Government of India;
Former Member, Hyderabad. 7th August 2009
National Security Advisory Board, Government of India
Message
Science and technology are today intimately intermeshed into our everyday life. We, probably, do not take any step today which does not have an element of science or technology in it. Food and agriculture, health and nutrition, education and entertainment, travel and communication, defence and crime detection - in fact, every profession today is vastly dependent on science and technology.
When I was young, I lived in houses where there was no electric fired a slide rule and log tables for quick calculations, and I have travelled in bullock carts. My first plane ride was when was 24, at which age I had not heard of air-conditioning. The first fan in our house came in when was 20, in spite of my living in a city where the summer temperatures went upto 45 degrees centigrade. We slept in winter in room in which the temperature was 5-6 degrees centigrade, for room heaters were unknown. At that time, radio was a rarity and television unknown in India. I had never seen a refrigerator even as a university student. Cooking on gas was unknown in most parts of the country. Today, on account of science and technology, all of the above is common phenomenon: so much so that most of our airports today are no better than bus stations.
But science and technology have also given us weapons of mass destruction and means of mass deceipt and exploitation. How do we make sure that Governments, societies and individuals, use the fruits of science and technology only for the real benefit of all mankind? The only way is to make all our people all around the world understand the basis of science and technology, and the principles that underlie scientific discoveries, so that we can, on the one hand, appreciate the uses they can be put to while, on the other hand, we can understand and thus control their misuse.
Let me give you an example. The world's most deadly poison is a protein called botulin produced by a bacterium. It is an intestinal poison, half a kilogram of which can kill virtually the entire population of the world; but extremely small amounts of botulin are used as injections to prevent wrinkles on people's faces. We also understand the mechanism by which botulin can kill on the one hand and beautify our faces on the other. Therefore, we can set up a mechanism to control its production and use. That is what the International Convention on Biological Weapons has attempted to do.
We must also remember that man is inherently curious. Just observe a child, if you are not already convinced! Science is the only means we have to satisfy our curiosity about natural phenomena. It is the only antidote against superstitions and irrational beliefs such as in astrology, homeopathy, or black magic, which are the greatest stumbling blocks to mankind's progress towards universal peace and contentment.
The beauty of science is that it is not magic and that everyone can understand it if it is communicated in the right way. Popularisation of science in an appropriate manner is, thus, one of the most important activities that mankind may indulge in today.
Against this background, I wish the one-day symposium on popularization of science for school students scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on 29th August 2009 all success.
Sri Amitabha Roy Choudhuri
President,
Alumni Association, NCE Bengal & Jadavpur University Head Quarters, Jadavpur University Campus, Kolkata - 700032
Message
I am glad to learn that our Hyderabad Chapter is going to organize a Symposium on Popular Science for School Children on 29th August, 2009.
I am sure this event will create a great impact on the understanding of Science on the participants and help them develop scientific attitude towards the world and the society.
I wish a grand success of the event and would request the Hyderabad Chapter to organize more such events, so that the commitment of the members of the Association become visible to the society at large.
Sincerely
Sd/-
Amitabha Roy Chowdhury
President
Prof. Chandan Mazumdar
Hony. Secretary
Alumni Association, NCE Bengal & Jadavpur University Head Quarters, Jadavpur University Campus, Kolkata - 700032
Message
It gives me immense pleasure to know that our Hyderabad Chapter is going to organize a Symposium on Popular Science for School Children on 29th August,
2009.
I understand the school students can listen to and interact with renowned scientists and technologists in different fields. This will give them a unique opportunity for understanding the basics of current research by dialogue with the leading researchers. Surely, this will enable the students to raise questions in different fields, which is prime mover of any scientific enquiry.
I hope Hyderabad Chapter will organize many more events like this and will be a model for the other Chapters and Branches.
I wish all success of the event.
Sincerely
Sd/-
Chandan Mazumdar
Hony. Secretary