All about the Indian Science Congress 2023

The great German-born theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein has stated about Science in the following words:

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day."

Questioning, Experimenting, Predictability, Consistency, and Observability are some of the quintessential characteristics of Science. To keep a check on the aforesaid characteristics of Science, the Indian Science Congress Association, popularly abbreviated as ISCA has been formed in the year 1914. The main purpose of the formation of the Indian Science Congress Association is to stimulate Research Workers and meet annually for the progression and development in the field of Science and Technology, at a mass level. The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) contemplates its origin to the prescience and initiative of two British chemists, namely, Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P. S. MacMahon.

The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) is headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Association conducts the annual meeting in several cities across the country to imbibe and celebrate the essence of the Scientific bent of mind. Many prominent Indian and foreign scientists, including Nobel laureates, attend and speak at the congress that is held on a yearly basis.

The following points are of major concern, as these have been the pillars of the formation of the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), at Kolkata in the year 1914:

• To advance and promote the cause of science in India;
• To hold an annual congress at a suitable place in India;
• To publish such proceedings, journals, transactions, and other publications as may be considered desirable;
• To secure and manage funds and endowments for the promotion of Science including the rights of disposing of or selling all or any portion of the properties of the Association;
• To do and perform any or all other acts, matters, and things as are conductive to, or incidental to, or necessary for, the above objects.

About ISC 2023 Events

The year 2023 will solemnize the 107th anniversary of conducting the Indian Science Congress Association at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) at its Amravati Road Campus, Nagpur, Maharashtra. The theme of the event this year is "Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women's Empowerment." The Public Talks and exhibitions are open to the general public. More and more participation is expected at the event. The Association conducts the event on varied themes to touch all the aspects of human lives that are interlinked in one or the other way. The event will take place on 3rd January 2023. Basically, from the very beginning, ISCA is organized during the very first week of January.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and witness the entire inaugural session of the 108th Indian Science Congress through video conferencing on January 3. The inaugural ceremony will start at 9.30 am. The event is being hosted by Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) at its Amravati Road Campus.

Top dignitaries who will grace the inaugural session

Among the top dignitaries who will grace the inaugural session are the Governor of Maharashtra and Chancellor of Maharashtra Public Universities, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Union Minister and Chairman of the Advisory Committee of RTMNU Centenary Celebrations, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis. Vice Chancellor of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Dr. Subhash R. Chaudhari, and General President of Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), Kolkata, Dr. (Mrs.) Vijay Laxmi Saxena will be prominently present.

The technical sessions of the 108th Indian Science Congress have been divided into 14 sections under which parallel sessions will be conducted at different venues in the University's Mahatma Jotiba Phule Educational Campus. Apart from these 14 sections, there will be a Women's Science Congress, a Farmers' Science Congress, a Children's Science Congress, a Tribal Meet, a section on Science and Society, and a Science Communicators' Congress.

Plenary Sessions in Indian Science Congress

The Plenary Sessions will feature Nobel Laureates, leading Indian and foreign researchers, experts, and technocrats from a wide variety of fields, including Space, Defense, IT, and Medical Research. The technical sessions will showcase path-breaking and Applied Research in Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Animal, Veterinary, and Fishery Sciences, Anthropological and Behavioral Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth System Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Information and Communication Science & Technology, Material Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Sciences, New Biology, Physical Sciences, and Plant Sciences.

There will be a special attraction of the event; a mega expo "Pride of India". The major developments, major achievements, and significant contributions largely of Indian Science and Technology to society will be showcased in the exhibition, which brings together and displays hundreds of new ideas, innovations, and products covering the entire canvas of the scientific world. Pride of India displays the strengths and achievements of Government, Corporate, PSUs, Academic and R&D Institutes, Innovators & Entrepreneurs from all across the country.

Rally in University Campus

In the run-up to the event, the Vigyan Jyot program, a tradition of the Indian Science Congress was held today. More than 400 school and college students gathered at Zero Milestone and, wearing special caps and T-shirts, proceeded in a rally to the university campus. They took a pledge to adopt scientific thinking in their lives. ISCA General President, Dr. (Mrs.) Vijay Laxmi Saxena urged them not to study science as merely a subject, but make it a part of life in anything that they do.

Vigyan Jyot - Flame of Knowledge

Vigyan Jyot - Flame of Knowledge will be ignited followed the lines of the Olympic flame. It is a movement dedicated to nurturing scientific temper in society, especially the youth. The flame was installed at the university campus and will continue to be alight until the end of the 108th Indian Science Congress!