Phagwara, Jan 3, 2019: The 106th edition of the Indian Science Congress, the largest scientific congregation in the world, was kicked off today at Lovely Professional University, the largest university in India, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As many as 20,000 delegates, including three Nobel Laureates, from across 60 countries are participating in the 5-day-long Science Congress. The event is also playing host to about 50000 students from across the country. This is the first time that a private university is hosting the Indian Science Congress in its 100-year history.
Speaking after inaugurating the Science Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has made significant progress in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ index but a lot more was needed with respect to ‘Ease of Living’ index. He called on the scientific fraternity to develop simple and affordable technologies that can connect with the common man to increase ease of living.
Prime Minister Modi also had a ‘Chai pe Charcha’ with three Nobel Laureates who are attending the Science Congress.
“Research for research sake does not help. We are building an ecosystem to commercialise innovations to benefit the farming community and common people. We have set up more incubation centres in the last four years than in the last 40 years,” added Mr Modi.
Scientific fraternity has to come out with a way of linking scientific advances to societal development, he said, adding that more scientific work is needed in the areas of affordable healthcare, agricultural productivity, food processing and related fields.
Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan, Indian Science Congress Association General President Dr Manoj Kumar Chakrabarti and Lovely Professional University Chancellor Ashok Mittal were also present at the inaugural ceremony.
LPU Chancellor Mr. Ashok Mittal said, “We are excited to welcome the Honourable PM and the leaders of the global and national scientific community to our campus”.
The 5-day Science Congress includes a host of events with the theme ‘Future India: Science and Technology’. Children’s Science Congress and Women Science Congress are two of the key events.
The Children’s Science Congress is a unique opportunity for children in the age group of 10-17 years to showcase their innovative ideas. Over 5,000 school students, selected after qualifying in State and District level competitions, will showcase their exhibits, models, and charts.
The Women Science Congress will highlight the contribution of women in science and technology. It will have 12 women leaders and scientists delivering lectures.
About LPU
Established in 2005, Lovely Professional University (LPU) is a private university based out of Jalandhar, Punjab. The university campus spreads over 600 acres on the outskirts of Jalandhar. LPU offers a wide variety of courses such as engineering streams, Hotel Management, and Tourism, Architecture and Design, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Agriculture, Fashion Design, Journalism, Films and Creative Arts, Law, Physiotherapy and Paramedical Sciences as well as Art and Languages.
With over 25,000 students currently enrolled LPU offers students full-time as well as part-time courses. LPU houses students from over 50 countries and encourages diversity. The sprawling campus consists of its own shopping mall, a MAC lab for students to develop & deploy Apple apps, an aviation lab, a skating rink, in-house bowling complex, convenience stores, and numerous food kiosks.
The vision of LPU is to be a premier academic institution, recognized internationally for its contribution to industry and society through excellence in teaching, learning, research, internationalization, entrepreneurship, and leadership. LPU aims to implement a relationship of cooperation between industry and academia and to prepare graduates to be lifelong learners with strong analytical and leadership skills.
For more details: https://www.lpu.in/
About Indian Science Congress Association
Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) is a premier scientific organisation of India with headquarters at Kolkata, West Bengal. The association started in the year 1914 in Kolkata, it owes its origin to the foresight and initiative of two British chemists, namely, Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P. S. MacMahon, who were keen to conduct an annual meeting of research workers somewhat on the lines of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, in India. From a modest beginning of only hundred and five members, ISCA has today grown into a strong fraternity with membership of more than 30,000 scientists.
For more details: http://www.sciencecongress.nic.in/