#IISF2020: Vice President concludes mega event; praises scientists who made indigenous COVID-19 vaccine

New Delhi, Dec 26: The mega event - India International Science Festival-2020 (IISF-2020) concluded on Friday evening with the address by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu in the presence of Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare and Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Secretary DSIR and DG, CSIR and other dignitaries.

 

The four days’ event saw the organization of a vast number of events and a large participation of people and scientists from India and abroad. In his address, the Vice President expressed happiness over the fact that India is on the verge of releasing its own indigenous COVID vaccine. He also praised the hard-working scientists who have made this possible.

 

 

 

 

Observing that false information on the nature of the coronavirus, medication, and the vaccine has caused panic and anxiety among the people, Naidu said that this ‘infodemic’ also reinforces the importance of scientific temper in our lives. Emphasizing that a citizen who thinks critically will be immune to such misinformation or fake news, he called for promoting the spirit of inquiry. “It is not vaccines or drugs that can defeat the ‘infodemic’, but a rational outlook among people", he said.

 

Expressing the need to promote science education and inculcate the scientific temper from a young age, the Vice President said, "Children have an inherent curiosity, and how we channelize that curiosity is very important. If we encourage them to ask questions and think critically, they will become confident, self-assured, and fearless for the rest of their lives, he said adding that ‘a confident generation means a confident nation!"

 

 

 

The Vice President emphasized that an important lesson taught by this pandemic is that we need to invest and sustain R&D and strive to become self-reliant. Our space program is a sterling example of how self-reliance can be achieved, he underlined.

 

Addressing on the occasion, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that the IISF has come a long way and informed, “Essentially, it was a means of science outreach. Idea was to rework the tried and tested approaches and make them unconventional and sometimes surprising. We wanted to push in a huge amount of creative energy in finding new ways to link scientists and science-watchers with audiences". He noted with pride, "I must say the IISF has now become a "Science Movement". Through various thoughtfully planned events, IISF has been deepening engagement between science and our citizens", he said.

 

The Minister pointed out, “IISF is a vibrant expression of science and technology of India which connects the world also. The festival has come a long way and is now attracting global attention”. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “It is a unique program because it brings students, teachers, scientists, innovators, artisans, farmers, diplomats, policymakers, and even S&T Ministers together to discuss the challenges and solutions. It is indeed a matter of great pride for me to look back and reflect on the exponential growth in the scale, size, and impact of IISF over the years", he added.

 

Elaborating on the role of science and scientists, Dr. Harsh Vardhan explained with an example, “Vaccines are being developed with record-breaking speed.SARS-CoV-2 will be one of the most thoroughly characterized of all pathogens, and the secrets it yields will deepen our understanding of other viruses, leaving the world better prepared to face the next pandemic”. “It has all been possible due to exemplary and collaborative efforts of scientists across the world. It has been an extraordinary level of sharing of science and its knowledge”, he emphasized.

 

Congratulating CSIR, team of CSIR-NISTADS, other Organiser Scientific Ministries – Departments and VijnanaBharatifor their hard work and untiring efforts, in organizing this IISF-2020, Dr. Harsh Vardhan expressed his wish, “this journey of the IISF must go on and on. And the next year, we connect more people with the engagement of science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship”.

 

 

• IISF-2020: Virtual Science Festival (2000 approx. per day at peak hour)
  
  
• Light, Shadow and Time Device Making (5,000 Students)
  
  
• Online Hand Hygiene lesson and Activity (30,000 Students)
  
  
• Applying Protective Masks and Taking an Oath Online (30,000 Students)
  
  
• Nutrition and Health Lesson (35,000 Students)

 

Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, DG. CSIR, Dr. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR_NISTADS, Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, National President, VIBHA, Shri Jayant Sahsrabudhe, National Organising Secretary, Vibha, secretaries of all departments of M/o S & T, M/o earth Sciences, scientists and international representatives attended the valedictory programme online.