New Delhi: The India International Science Festival (IISF) 2020 would be based on the theme ‘Science for Self-reliant India and Global Welfare’ and would focus on areas like history of Indian science, philosophy and science, agritech, clean air, energy, water, waste, and sanitation, biodiversity, and scientific diplomacy, Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary professor Ashutosh Sharma said at the curtain raiser and outreach programme of the 6th India International Science Festival (IISF).
“Atmanirbharta or self-reliance is deeply cultural, made up of three pillars of Atmavishwas, Atmasamman and Atmachintan and festivals like IISF have to convey these cultural aspects very strongly,” prof Sharma said at the curtain raiser programme jointly organised by Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), Navi Mumbai, an autonomous institute of DST, Government of India and Vijnana Bharathi (VIBHA).
Prof. Ashutosh Sharma shared the glorious journey of IISF- a brainchild of the Union Minister of Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, in 2015. He added that it was organised by DST at IIT Delhi with over 5 lakh footfall that year and has been growing very fast since then.
“IISF is a holistic projection of Science & Technology and Innovation as well as scientific temper involving primarily the young minds and a very wide stakeholder base ranging from students, innovators, craftsmen, farmers, scientists, technocrats, people from politics and so on. It shows that science does not work in silos and presents the picture of science in motion,” he added.
“We have learned the importance of resilience, adaptability, coexistence and especially the importance of understanding science from the pandemic and IIG and VIBHA will work on these learnings to bring awareness about science, technology, engineering and mathematics to the common people,” said Suhas Pednekar, VC, University of Mumbai while addressing the curtain raiser programme.
Prof. D.S. Ramesh, Director IIG, said, “IISF 2020 with the theme Science for Self-Reliant India and Global Welfare very aptly reflects India’s mood of overcoming adversity and its spirit of togetherness. Events like IISF truly highlight our country’s ancient and modern science and technology and reflects the national ethos like never before.”
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