Chandigarh Science Congress (CHASCON) concludes with academic mega event CRIKC Shodh Samwad at PU 

Chandigarh, November 8, 2024: Chandigarh Science Congress (CHASCON) concluded with academic mega event CRIKC Shodh Samwad at Panjab University (PU) here today. Six shortlisted young scientists and research scholars from the CRIKC institutes presented their research work through science story.

The three day long CHASCON was organised by PU and ‘Chandigarh Region Innovation and Knowledge Cluster’ (CRIKC) institutions on the theme of “Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat”. As many as 1200 academicians, scientists and researchers from various institutions and industrial houses from Chandigarh region and various other parts participated and discussed on adopting the integrative approach in sciences. Many eminent scientists from different parts of the country addressed the participants about their respective study fields for the scientific sessions. 

Savitribai Phule Pune University Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Suresh Gosavi delivered the valedictory lecture. PU Registrar Prof. Y.P. Verma, Director Research and Development Cell Prof. Savita Bhagnagar, CHASCON Coordinator Prof. Y. K. Rawal and Prof. Sonal Singhal also addressed the valedictory session. 

Delivering the valedictory session, Prof. Suresh Gosavi emphasised that as India is going through significant transformations in energy, digitalisation, and AI, which align closely with the mandate of this conference. These changes offer great opportunities for the younger generation to contribute meaningfully to sustainable, self-reliant technological advancements in fields like AI and digital transformation, he added. 

Prof. Y. P. Verma motivated students by talking about India's growth trajectory. "Over the past 75 years of independence, we have gained significant national and international recognition. Now, we stand at a crossroads, where leveraging our indigenous technology is vital. To propel our country into a new era of growth, we need people-centric technologies that prioritise sustainability", he added. Sustainable solutions, efficient energy consumption and innovative technologies are important to harness our skills and knowledge to create sustainable wealth, he further added. Highlighting the rich resources and talent of India, he said that our goal should be to make India one of the world's top two economies. 

Prof. Savita Bhatnagar, Director Research & Development Cell, Panjab University, delivered the key address. She encouraged and motivated the young researchers to continue the research work for societal benefit. 

The conference report was read by Prof. Yogesh Kumar Rawal, Coordinator, CHASCON 2024, where provided details of all three day activities. Prof. Sonal Singhal Co-coordinator of the conference gave the vote of thanks.

Prof. Gaurav Verma, Coordinator, CRIKC, explained the role of CRIKC in fostering collaborations and partnership to encourage young budding scientists to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He emphasised that a developed India cannot be realized unless we discuss and apply our innovations and concepts to benefit society and technology. Since its inception, numerous programs have taken place under the umbrella of CRIKC and as a part of it, National Technology Day—a significant occasion that marks our pride in the nuclear tests of 1998—scholars gathered to discuss the future direction of research and innovation, last year. 

Prizes were also awarded to the winners of various oral and poster presentations. The function was followed by the award ceremony where the top three presenters from the Shodh Samwad competition were given cash prizes. Ankita, Harender and Deepak bagged the first, second and third prizes respectively, whereas, Parina, Komal and Panchali received consolation certificates. The awards for the best oral and poster presenters from all the nine scientific sections which include Basic Medical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Management, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physical Sciences were also given to the students.

The Sodh Samwad session was hosted by the Co-coordinator Shodh Samwad, Dr. Ravneet Kaur, Department of Zoology, Panjab University. The presentations were followed by a Valedictory function, hosted by Prof. Sakshi Kaushal, Co-coordinator of the conference.