Traditional science, knowledge from elderly & innovations at ground level shall form basis for sustainable development: Dr. Anil Gupta

- Punjab Science Congress comes to an end with 5 key messages
- Chief guest interacted with participants through webcast-video conferencing
- President's mantra of 'search, spread, science and celebration' disseminated
- Lot of ideas but we need to create a force that executes them: Dr. Arora
Jalandhar, February 16, 2014: “It is a matter of immense pride that there's science in every nook and corner of the country. All that is required is to identify the talent and promote it. India has been a leader in science since long. We need to examine this leadership from close quarter, and to interact with our elderly such that we are able to adopt and promote science. If we make this possible then we shall be able to achieve sustainable growth." These ideas were put forth by Dr.Anil Gupta, Professor, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad; Founder, Honey Bee Network; & Executive Vice Chair, National Innovation Foundation. Dr. Gupta was supposed to attend the valedictory function of the Punjab Science Congress as Chief Guest however because of a flight delay he could not make it. The Organising Committee members of PTU immediately arranged for a video conferencing and he was able to address the participants through webcast. His organisation Honey Bee Network is a group which has been pursuing the goal of promoting innovation in different sectors at grassroots level.
Dr. Gupta referred to the Shodh Yatra that Honey Bee had conducted recently and said that innovations at rural level need to be connected with science education. Even though the villagers are not as educated but they understand science and achievers from rural areas can be made to teach as faculty. He expressed concern over the fact that though Punjab produces fruits and vegetables in adequate quantity but they do not get processed. Food processing is a big opportunity that should be tapped. The youth of Punjab are increasingly becoming addicts but if their energy is channeled in the right manner through applied sciences, we would have at least 1000 new entrepreneurs every year. They can then generate employment for several thousands. Dr. Gupta also spoke about the President Pranab Mukherjee's mantra - search, spread, science and celebration. Here search means identification of talent; spread means dissemination of their prowess; science means utility of the subject in steering the talent in right direction; and celebration means jubilation over these achievements.
Dr. Pawan Kapoor, Former Director, CSIO, who chaired the proceedings said, "Doctors teaching at medical colleges also do OPDs such that they get acquaited with new diseases and find out ways in which they can be treated. Similarly, the engineering and science faculty should also interact with the industry closely."
Dr. Rajneesh Arora, Vice Chancellor, Punjab Technical University (PTU) said that there is abundance of ideas however we need to create a force which can implement them as well and that shall be the step in right direction. He presented five conclusions that the Science Congress arrived at. A technique should be developed that delivers sustainable growth to the next generation. Science at rural level needs to be recognized. Besides, the subject needs to be taught in an easy manner and in native language such that students retain interest in it. A better command shall be form the basis for sustainable growth and last but not the least, people associated with science and technology should be involved in policy making at state level.
Dr. Anirudh Pratap Singh, Chairman, Organizing Committee of Punjab Science Congress and Dean – Research, Innovation & Consultancy (RIC) thanked everyone in the end for making the three-day event a grad success.  
Scientists awarded in different categories
During the Science Congress, besides those who exhibited and presented papers, teachers and students who came up with innovative ways to promote science were also awarded. Harleen Kaur of Nankana Sahib Public School, Khasi Kalan was felicitated with Hardev Singh Banga Sponsor Award.  Maninder Kaur, student of Punjabi University; and Karamjit Kaur, Principal, Government School, Sarhali Kalan won the Kulwant Singh Dhalla award. Dr. Roshan Lal Best Science Teacher award was conferred upon Dr. balwinder Singh of Khalsa College, Amritsar.
In the five categories of poster-making competition, Maninder Kaur Sindhu and Akshita Dhaliwal from Khalsa College, Patiala; Pradeep Kumar from Himachal University; Navriti Chaddha of Punjabi University; Lalit Sharma of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College Firozepur won the laurels. In the A category of Young Scientist Student Award, Kamalpreet kaur of Punjabi University, Patiala; and in the B categoty, Nandan Singh of ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga were declared the winners. The Young Scientist Faculty Award was bagged by Ashish Kumar Aggarwal of Naipar Mohali; Shally Rani of SSIT, Bathinda; and PTU's Assistant Registrar Vivek Talwal.
Exhibition Innovation Award
PTU announced innovation awards for exhibitors wherein RIMT College Mandi Gobindgarh won the first position and a cash prize of Rs 10000; Radiant College won the second position and a cash prize of Rs 7000; while SBS State Engineering College won the third position and a cash prize id Rs 5000.  //jalandhar news,  jalandhar current news,  jalandhar news live, jalandhar breaking news, jalandhar headlines, jalandhar latest news, india news, punjab news, punjab news live, punjab news online, punjab news, punjab news headlines, punjab breaking news, kapurthala news, india news, punjab news,

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