Science Congress to focus on rural empowerment

VISAKHAPATNAM: The stage is set for the inauguration of the 95th Indian Science Congress in the Steel City by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday.

Though this edition will, as usual, witness scientists deliberating on different facets of scientific development, the major thrust is likely to be on emerging fields like biotechnology, nanotechnology and the much-talked about rural empowerment by leveraging technology. This can be clearly gauged from the importance attached to these areas that will figure in symposia, plenary sessions as well as special public lectures.

While eminent agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan will lead the country’s scientists in deliberations on rural knowledge revolution and “ever green revolution” that he is at present championing, Nobel laureate Robert Carl Jr will enlighten participants on the changes in the nanotechnology sector. Laying emphasis on rural development and empowerment to achieve sustainable development, experts led by eminent space research scientist U.R. Rao will discuss the modalities for dissemination of knowledge using space technologies for putting telemedicine and related concepts to effective use.

Coping up with challenges posed on bio-diversity, water scarcity and global warming & climate change will constitute the theme of the genomic and biology sectors where Nobel laureates Roger Kornberg and Paul Nurse will interact with participants giving them an overview of the advances achieved in these areas.

In the backdrop of the concerns expressed on the nuclear deal with the United States, scientists will deliberate on the country’s energy security and the measures needed to meet the ever-increasing demand.

One of the interesting elements in the five-day 95th edition of the ISC, expected to be attended by over 8,000 delegates from India and abroad, is a session on “interface between physics and Vedanta” bringing together physicists from the U.S. and the scholars of the Sri Venkateswara Vedic University.