Young Scientists and Researchers should lead India into a developed nation
Rashtriya Yuva Vaigyanik Manch, a platform created by Vijnana Bharati for Young Scientists, Technocrats and Professional students has conducted its third edition of Young Scientists meet at Presidency University, Kolkata during 17,18 Feb, 2012. Nearly four hundred and fifty scientists and research scholars from all over the country participated in this two day meet.
This conference has been dedicated to Acharya PC Ray, the father of Indian Chemical Industry.
Acharya PC Ray Young Scientists’ Conference was inaugurated by His Excellency, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The two day conference was organized by Vivekananda Vijnan Mission, West Bengal state unit of Vijnana Bharati, along with Presidency University and Calcutta University to celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Acharya P C Ray. Shri Janab Abu Nasar Khan Choudhury, Minister, Science & Technology, Govt. of West Bengal graced the occasion as a Special Guest. Prof. Avtar Tulsi, IIT Mumbai, the youngest professor in India delivered the key note address, presided by Padmashri Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, National President, Vijnana Bharati.
Dr. Rakesh Bhandari, Chairman, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC); Prof. Siddhartha Roy, Director, IICB, Kolkata; Prof. Kankan Bhattacharya, Director, IACS, Kolkata; Dr. Amalendu Sinha, Director, Central Institute of Mining & Fuel Research, Dhanbad; Dr. Jayram Hazra, Director, National Research Institute of Ayurvedic Drug Development (NRIADD); Shri. G S Rautela, DG, National Council of Science Museums; Shri P S Bhattacharya, MD, Haldia Petrochemicals; Shri. D P Sahastrabudhe, ED, Basin Manager, ONGC; Col. Sabyasachi Bagchi, Chairman, West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation (WBSIDC) were the Guests-of-Honour.
Probe, but do not humiliate the icons of scientific community
Vijnana Bharati deplores the action taken by the Government against Dr.G.Madhavan Nair.
Statement by Shri A.Jayakumar, Secretary General, Vijnana Bharati.
It is quite unfortunate that the Government has taken such drastic actions against Dr.G.Madhavan Nair, one of the leading space scientists of India, and his colleagues based on an enquiry report. One should remember with gratitude, love and admiration that Dr.G.Madhavan Nair brought Indian Space Science to new heights – both in respect of technology and basic space science research. No doubt that India honoured him with Padma Awards. It looked like taking one to the highest peak and pushing down to create maximum damage. There are no parallels to this actions in the history of civilized human society It was an action of the unkindest cuts of all taken by the government without giving Dr.G.Madhavan Nair a chance to explain things. It seems that some dark forces in the expanse of Space Research in India are gathering more power to destroy the remaining miniscule of creativity, originality and sincerity in the field of Research and Development activities in general and Space Science in particular.
The Antrix –Devas deal was totally done following all the existing norms by a team of scientists and Dr BN Suresh committee had given clean chit to the deal. Hiding the entire facts of the review committee from the public and blacklisting the most respectful scientist ever recognised by the whole scientific community through a so-called report of former Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Pratyush Sinha seems to be immature and unethical in all ways and means.
5th World Ayurveda Congress & Arogya Expo
The fifth edition of the World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) is scheduled to be held at Lal Parade Ground, Bhopal from 27th to 30th December 2012. It is expected to consolidate the momentum created by the successive editions of the Congress and enhance the popularity of Ayurveda across the globe. This world summit jointly organised by Vijnana Bharati and Govt. of Madhya Pradesh being true to its past record would bring diverse stakeholders of Ayurveda on a common, meaningful and popular platform.
Objectives of the 5th World Ayurveda Congress
Having established itself as a major platform, this edition of the WAC will strive towards achieving the following goals :
- To facilitate acceptance and recognition of Ayurveda as a complete healthcare system adoptable in all countries across the globe.
- To create appropriate platform for scientific basing of Ayurveda along with suitable infrastructure to popularize the outcomes
- To create interest groups across 30 countries including those in the European Union, Soth-east Asian nations, the United Arab Emirates and North America
Welcome to Vijnanabharati
Bharath, the land of eternal knowledge which churned out the secrets of material as well as metaphysical world, is becoming an important global player. The materialistic world around, weary of the ever increasing competition, is hopefully listening to her wisdom of Vedas and Upanishads. But can she rise to the occasion and lead the nation states to a sustainable world order? Does she have her inner strengths that gave birth to the Vedas and Upanishads still intact? The womb that gave birth to Veda Vyasa, Adi Shankara, Varahamihira, Aryabhata, Shusrurha and Bhaskara had become sterile. After Sir C.V. Raman, we have none to be proud of among the golden array of Nobel Laureates. |
About VijnanabharatiIndia faces critical challenges as a nation in its march towards a welfare state. Considering the nature of the challenges which are so unique, only rapid strides in the sector of science and technology, in resonance with India's heritage can meet those challenges. In this context Vijnanabharati, a science movement with swadeshi spirit has a greater role to play. |
Message from the president of Vijnanabharati
I see the future of Vijnana Bharati beautifully embedded in its name itself. The future of Vijnana Bharati is 'Bharatiya Vijnana' and we will try to bring it to the fore not only in the Indian context but also in the entire world context. Vijnana Bharati stands for the synthesis of science and spirituality for the service of humanity. We have three flagship programs, name Bharatiya Vijnana Sammelan, World Congress of Vedic Sciences and the World Ayurveda Congress, complemented by a spectrum of conferences, workshops and events covering research, education and extension. Our publications, particularly the well received 'Science India' should reach out to more and more young minds who hold the key to India's future. |
The Farm Challenge | by Shri M S Swaminathan
In India, the world leader in annual milk production at 100 million tonnes, an estimated 75 million women are involved in growing or collecting the fodder and feed essential for the dairy animals to produce more milk. In contrast, hardly 1,00,000 dairy farmers are involved in producing nearly 70 million tonnes of milk in the US. This is a good illustration of what Mahatma Gandhi described as “production by masses”, in contrast to the “mass production” technologies of the West. There are two important implications. First, we must improve the productivity and profitability of mass production technologies through labour diversification and not displacement. Second, we must mainstream gender considerations in all areas of agricultural research, education and extension. |
Technology and Education | by Prof. Yashpal.
I am a bit at a loss as to how I should constrain the scope of my remarks. You can say so much on science as also on education. Should one write on ‘science in education’ or ‘education in science’ or about science and education quite independently? Since the constraints have not been explicitly stated I will go by the antecedents of the people who have organized this affair. As I understand they seem to believe that education, including that in science and technology could be tremendously improved if the infrastructure for delivery could be more technological. Besides improving the pedagogy of transaction, information from the world would become accessible to our students and teachers. And then we will be on our way to becoming a world superpower. Let me try to lend some perspective. I hope this is not seen as too censorious in respect of our present enthusiasm about I.T. |
Time to ignite young minds | by Shri A P J Abdul Kalam
In science, impossible does not exist. Inventions and discoveries are the products of constant endeavour by creative minds, envisioning ever-new outcomes. With vivid imagination and consistent effort, the forces of the universe can be made to work for an inspired mind. How do we fire up the minds of India's youth who are the foundation for cutting edge research and usher in a renaissance in Indian science? We need a new generation of creative scientists. For that, we need an environment for research and challenging missions. Above all, academic institutions must have well-equipped laboratories and professors who have the proven capacity to attract youth to science. I have noticed that Indian universities lack a research culture. I believe where there is good research, good teaching is possible; where there is good teaching, good research emanates. |
Impact of advances in science and new technologies on society | by Shri M G K Menon
The advancement of science and technology is surely one of the greatest organised creative activities of humankind today. The material world that we see around us, and the way society functions today are direct manifestations of these advances. |
Nuclear Power in India: An Inevitable Option for Sustainable Development of a Sixth of Humanity | by Dr.Anil Kakodkar
India is the world’s largest democracy with a population of about 1.045 billion and low per capita income. In recent years, it has witnessed an impressive growth rate in GDP. The development aspirations of its populace demand that this growth rate be sustained for a long enough time so as to enable them to have a decent quality of life. This requires matching growth in the availability of energy. Further, the development process is also driving, as expected, a shift in energy use from non-commercial energy sources to commercial sources, particularly electricity. This phenomenon is similar to what has been witnessed by the developed countries in the West. But the situation in India is more complex because of the high density of its population. |
Science and Technology for social harmony"We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made" - Albert Einstein We have to teach our younger generation the untold contributions and history of our great grandfathers and mothers. These will inspire and give them the courage and confidence to follow those footsteps. Vijnana Bharati has to take them to the modern world and equip them to face the challenges and move forward. With one hand on the mouse of the computer and the other on the lines of our traditional knowledge and culture, let us walk towards the future with strong steps and full conviction. Let us regain the past glory and lead this world into a paradise of peace and prosperity. |
Heralding Education-To-Home through e-Learning | by Shri Vijay P Bhatkar
From Vedic times, India advented and nurtured a unique ‘Gurukul’ system of learning. Literally, entering Gurukul meant becoming a devoted member of Guru’s family of learners. In the Indian tradition, the supreme Guru has been equated with God, being the creator, the sustainer and the ultimate liberator of the aspiring learner. The Gurukul system still exists in India in many traditional branches of learning such as music, performing arts, indigenous medicine and traditional arts and crafts. Slowly, the Gurukul system however gave way to class room based learning at all levels of learning from pre-school to higher education. |
