PRESIDENT INAUGURATES NATIONAL SCIENCE EXHIBITION FOR CHILDREN AT SARAMSA Science and Mathematics powerful ways of understanding world: President

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 11 Nov: President of India, Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 40th Jawaharlal Nehru National Science, Mathematics and Environment Exhibition for Children 2013 on the occasion of National Education Day today here at Epica Garden, Saramsa. The event is being organized by the Human Resource Development Department in collaboration with the National Council of Educational Research and Training, New Delhi.
After inaugurating the exhibition, the President, accompanied by Governor Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil and Minister of State for HRD, Dr Sashi Tharoor, and other officials also visited the exhibition stalls and interacted with the participants.
In his inaugural address, the President stated that this day was celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first Education Minister of Independent India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who, he highlighted, was “a great visionary, freedom fighter, scholar, and eminent educationist”.
While speaking on Azad’s contributions, he said, “On this occasion, I take the opportunity to salute and pay homage to this great visionary and architect of our education system. We as a nation need to strive hard to turn his dreams into reality”.
He expressed that this national level exhibition has been organized to encourage, popularize and inculcate a scientific temper among the children of the country.
“I am glad to learn that NCERT organizes national level science exhibitions every year where children showcase their talents in science and mathematics and their applications in different areas related with our everyday life,” he added.
The President stated that the Exhibition commemorates the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who was of the opinion that science is capable of bringing about far reaching changes, the most vital of these being inculcation of scientific temper.
“This exhibition, in which potential mathematicians and scientists have put on display their multifarious talents, is an index of the infinite capacity of young men and women of the country to solve the problems the society faces – be it those relating to environment, industrial development, energy or security,” he added.
Speaking on the central theme of this year’s exhibition, “Science and Society”, the President mentioned that the event was an occasion to reflect on the issues and problems our society is facing. “On the one hand, we face challenges regarding conservation of our resources for future needs and on the other, the fulfillment of basic necessities of the ever increasing population continues to remain a persisting problem,” he said. He further added that it was high time to redefine the concept of development in a wider perspective, and try to find innovative ways based on scientific knowledge and mathematical understanding to tackle them and there should be no confrontation between the environment considerations and development requirements.
The President stressed that there was a need to make children aware of the nexus between problems like unchecked population growth and energy crisis, depletion of natural resources, pollution of the environment, and so on. He added that the younger generation needs to be made not only aware but also responsive to all the issues which have a direct bearing on our society.
“We should encourage children to visualise the future of the nation and help them to become sensitive and responsible citizens. Science and Mathematics are powerful ways of investigating and understanding the world. It is, therefore, extremely important to inculcate the ethos of science and mathematics in the minds of our young students who are the future scientists and technologists of this nation,” he adds.
“My vision is that India should become a knowledge power in the coming decade wherein every Indian is literate and has access to affordable, quality education. I am sure the visionary perspectives of Maulana Azad will continue to inspire and guide us to build a knowledge society,” said the President.
Speaking to students, he stated that Science, Technology and Innovation is the key to progress and prosperity for the nation and urged them to always move forward with an open mind and strive to reach new heights. He further conveyed his best wishes for a bright and productive future.
Governor Shriniwas Patil stated that the event was to encourage and inspire students to use science for society. He expressed his gratitude to the NCERT for hosting such an important event in the state. The Governor also mentioned that the state has been doing well in the educational and environmental sectors.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to promote Science education in Sikkim and such exhibitions provide an excellent opportunity for local children to exchange ideas with their counterparts from other States. He also mentioned about various schemes, programmes, assistance and initiatives of the government in education and science sectors.
Although Sikkim is surrounded by three international borders with Nepal, Bhutan and China, but it has remained an oasis of peace, security and all-round development and emerged as an exemplary State in the Country, said the CM. however, he added that the statehood demand of Gorkhaland in the Darjeeling district since 1986, has been causing disturbances and disruption of the state’s lifeline 31A National Highway.
“The Sikkimese people have suffered immensely, adversely affecting our development tempo wherein the cumulative loss we suffered is estimated at over Rs. 5000 crores,” he adds.
“In Sikkim, we have made huge sacrifices to keep the State peaceful, secure, and our society living in communal harmony and religious tolerance, free from insurgency and political extremism. I am happy to state that Sikkim has emerged as the most peaceful and progressive State in this region contributing towards overall progress and development of the Nation”, said the CM.
Union HRD Minister of State, Dr Sashi Tharoor spoke on the life and contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in the development of education in the country. While expressing his best wishes to the participants, he expressed hope that the exhibition would inspire more students to take up scientific projects.
NCERT Joint Director, Prof BK Tripathy gave a brief report on the exhibition. Earlier, the inaugural function started with the welcome address by HRDD Minister, NK Pradhan and concluded with the vote of thanks by HRDD Principal Secretary, Thomas Chandy.