India International Science Festival 2019: RISEN India – Research, Innovation, and Science Empowering the Nation
India has made significant strides in scientific and technological development. It is important to translate the scientific knowledge into innovations through start-ups and industry so as to facilitate India to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth in the coming decades. This goal can be achieved, through developing scientific temper among the masses and by strengthening India’s science and technology institutions and furthering their basic research and enticing talents to science.
In this context, the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Govt. of India and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), are jointly organizing the 5th ‘India International Science Festival (IISF)’ based on the theme ‘RISEN India – Research, Innovation, and Science Empowering the Nation’ from 05th – 08th November 2019, at Kolkata.
The prime objective of the festival is to instill scientific temper among the masses, showcase India’s contribution in the field of S&T over the years and encourage translation of its benefits to people. It aims to build a strategy for inclusive advancement of Science and Technology. Students from rural India, teachers, women and traditional artisans are only some of the audience that the IISF intends to extend its reach to and develop a movement of science in India. It aims to provide a platform for young students, scientists and technocrats from across India to exchange knowledge & ideas for sustainable development and new technological innovations.
Around 12,000 delegates, including 8,000 school and college students, from India and abroad are expected to participate in the fifth edition of IISF, which will consist of 28 different events.
Some of the major events are being highlighted below:
The Overseas Ministers & Diplomats Conclave will focus on Discussions on science policy and aims to foster dialogs and exchange of ideas between India and it’s partner countries to understand each other’s needs, formulating cohesive policies, foster collaborative efforts to alleviate yet unmet social needs.
The Young Scientists’ Conference based on the theme Young Scientists in the Making of Scientific India one of the major events of the IISF 2019. In this, young scientists, researchers, faculty, science innovators and professionals from national laboratories, academic institutions and industry will participate and enhance their research as well as academic network with other experts. There would be plenary, parallel and poster sessions including a special session for young achievers. A session on “Career Opportunities in India and Abroad after PhD” will deliberate on career opportunities in various industries and other domains. Young researchers will also be made aware about ‘Research Methodology and Funding Proposals’. Besides a general poster session on specified themes, the event will host a special poster session on the best ideas for “Water Crisis and Conservation” in India.
Another flagship event of IISF is Students Science Village. This will bring together select school students from all constituencies in India. It will reach out to the rural masses and propagate science as a solution to the diverse challenges facing our society, particularly rural India. Hon’ble Members of Parliament will be nominating students from class 9th to 11th and teachers from their respective adopted villages under Pradhan Mantri Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojna. Activities in this event include scientists- students’ interaction, hands on science experiments, visit to science and technology expo, laboratory visit, popular talks, cultural programs etc.
As a unique programme of IISF 2019, a Women Scientists’ & Entrepreneur’s Conclave is being organized with the theme Catalysing Sustainable Growth for New India. This will promote and encourage science education and entrepreneurship among the women. The conclave will discuss the opportunities and challenges for women in science, technology and innovation. In addition, women scientists would find as an encouraging platform to excel in their career through proper interaction with potential women leaders & mentors. Leading women scientists & entrepreneurs will participate in panel discussions on ‘Women Leaders in STI for Risen India’; ‘Women Entrepreneuship towards sustainable development’; ‘Women in STEMM: Opportunities and challenges for new India’. The event includes a poster session & exhibition by women entrepreneurs.
As a part of IISF 2019, VIGYANIKA is a platform to bring science and literature together showcasing India’s efforts in science promotion through communication for transforming India. It’s a stage to increase awareness about science, technology and innovation in the society and to reach out to the next generation. The major activities of VIGYANIKA is, Vigyan Manthan (Panel discussions), Vigyan Spandan (Scientific paper presentations, Science writing workshops, Scientoon & Debate competitions, Storytelling), Vigyan Manchan (Vigyan Kavi Sammelan, Science drama, Folk art), and Vigyan Prakashan (Book fair, Book release, Meet the author).
World record attempts have been a key part of IISF since 2015. In IISF 2019, students took a successful shot at the Guinness world record for carrying out similar kind of experiments at same location at the same time. More than 300 students will be participated in two experiments (spectroscopy experiment that won Raman the Nobel Prize for physics and Bose’s well-known experiment of detecting radio signals) at Science city, Kolkata.
Around 200 science journalists and communicators from India and some from abroad will attend Science & Technology Media Conclave. The conclave will discuss science communication & story telling in the age of convergence & new media. It will analyse how S&T can be taken to the masses through writers, visualizers and social media influencers from India & abroad. The conclave will also bring diverse perspectives from India & abroad to crystallise an ideal vision for S&T content & its dissemination and ways of creating a viable science niche in the media including the regional media.
Major Activities during IIFS-2019 at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, Science City, SRFTI, Bose Institute, IACS & IICB, Kolkata:
1. Global Indian Scientists & Technocrats Meet
2. Young Scientists Conference (YSC)
3. Students Science Village (SSV)
4. Women Scientists & Entrepreneurs Conclave
5. National Science Teachers Congress (NSTC)
6. National Social Organisations & Institutions Meet
7. International Science Literature Festival – VIGYANIKA
8. International Science Film Festival of India (ISFFI)
9. Industry Academia Conclave
10. National Start-up Conclave & Expo
11. Overseas Ministers & Diplomats Conclave
12. State S&T Ministers Conclave (SSTMC)
13. Traditional Crafts and Artisan Meet & Expo
14. Face-to-Face with new Frontiers in Science
15. Students & Engineering Model Competition
16. North-East Students Conclave
17. Wellness Conclave & Expo
18. Agriculture Scientists Meet
19. Nav Bharat Nirman – Building of the New India
20. Mega Science, Technology & Industry Expo
21. New Age Technology Show
22. Assistive Technologies Conclave & Expo for Divyangjan
23. Health Research Conclave (HRC)
24. Science & Technology Media Conclave
25. Vigyan Yatra
26. Outreach Programme & Satellite Communication Event
27. Guinness World Records
28. Cultural Programmes
