Numerous organisations in the state undertook celebrations of National Science Day today. The day marks the discovery of the Raman effect by Indian physicist CV Raman on February 28, 1928.
In Upper Shillong, the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), celebrated the day with the theme ‘Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat’.
During this event, IBSD organised an interactive session and lecture on “Bioeconomy from traditional bioresources of North East Region”.
Prof. Pulok Kumar Mukherjee, Director, IBSD delivered the inaugural address and highlighted the initiatives of IBSD for exploring the traditional bioresources of the North East for the development of bioeconomy of the region. He mentioned that IBSD is working for the promotion of bio-entrepreneurs including traditional healers, women entrepreneurs and farmers for the developed India.
During the programme, Dr G. Narahari Sastry, former Director, North East Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat highlighted various opportunities in the areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning for translational research in India. He mentioned that the North East has huge potential for making a self-reliant and strong India.
Dr. Marco Leonti, Professor, University of Cagliari, Italy highlighted various examples of ethnopharmacological and phytochemical evaluation of indigenous medicinal plants. He highlighted the methodology of documentation, data evaluation and presentation of traditional knowledge and bioresources.
The programme was attended by students, research scholars, scientists from BRDC, IBSD, Imphal, Shillong and other institutes from Meghalaya.
The State Council of Science Technology and Environment (SCSTE), Meghalaya in collaboration with the Shillong Science Centre and the Science Department of Shillong College also held a programme on the theme ‘Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat’ at the State Convention Centre here.
Rakkam A Sangma, Education Minister, attended the programme in the presence of Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary and Developmental Commissioner, along with Gunanka DB, Joint Secretary in the Planning Department & Member Secretary of SCSTE.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma said that it is great to see the enthusiasm of educators and students for education and advancement of knowledge in science and technology. The initiatives of the government and contributions of Indian scientists indeed play a crucial role in motivating students and advancing technology. Keeping up with the latest technologies and having a global standard are key aspects of learning and innovation, he added.
During the programme, the Education Minister launched the Knight’s Gambit: A New Era of Chess Education, Meghalaya STAR 30: Guiding Aspirations for NEET/JEE exams, PULSE (Promoting Understanding and Learning in Science Education), Tech Tutor Meghalaya: Exploring Science and Mathematics in Virtual Classroom.
Meritorious students who scored the highest marks in science, technology and mathematics in the Secondary and Higher Secondary MBOSE examinations in 2022-2023 were also felicitated by the minister.
Meanwhile, the Survey of India, held an exhibition on surveying and mapping at its Malki office today. The exhibition was inaugurated by Rajiv Kumar Srivastava, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh Director of the Survey of India.
Modern and old surveying instruments like drones, GPS, digital level, plane-table and different types of maps were exhibited. Utilization of drone data for the SVAMITVA project, use of CORS for precise location, activities related to map making, importance of maps in our day-to-day life were displayed in the exhibition.
A series of spot quizzes for the students were also organised on the day.
The map sale counter displayed various thematic maps, which was an attraction for visitors. A good number of students from St Edmund’s college, Army Public School, Seven Set School, Bengali Girls HS School, Pine Mount School, Bengali Boys HS School and ITI Shillong participated in the exhibition.
