IISF to focus on S&T outreach in Amrit Kaal

The theme of the ninth India International Science Festival (IISF), which is being hosted in Faridabad from January 17 to 20, is ‘Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal’.

It is being organized by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Space, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of Haryana, in collaboration with Vijnana Bharati.

IISF is an annual event initiated in 2015 by the Centre. The festival has been organized in different parts of the country in order to promote and celebrate science, across the country. The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, serves as the nodal agency for this year's IISF.

The aim is to engage the public with science and celebrate the joy of science and show ways how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) provide us with solutions to improve our lives.

The event is a science movement spearheaded by scientists with a swadeshi spirit. IISF's primary objective is to commemorate the world of science and making it accessible to all. The notion is to engage the general populace with the subject in an enjoyable and entertaining manner, thereby contributing to a healthy, prosperous and meaningful life. By means of its inventive programs and initiatives, IISF extends opportunities for people and scientific community, both within the country and internationally, to come together, collaborate and partake in the gratification of advancing scientific pursuits towards the betterment of humanity.

Talking to Bizz Buzz, Dr. Arvind C. Ranade, chief coordinator of the Festival and Director of National Innovation Foundation-India, says, “This festival will be attended by 12,000 delegates spanning from school-going children, teachers, engineering college students, innovators, start-ups, exhibitors and Science communicators.”

The Festival will have representation from 22 countries. This is bound to create a new record, he said.

According to Dr. Ranade, “The ‘Student Science Village’ will have the participation of more than 500 students from across the country. Special emphasis is given to the first village students from the border districts, which is in sync with the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his independence day speech, to call them first villages. Nearly 1000 students will be from remote places in Haryana. Apart from it, hundreds of S&T institutes will showcase their achievements in the past 75 years. This is the country’s biggest science and technology festival.”

Science and technology (S&T) are pivotal drivers of national growth and provide a solution to global challenges. To harness the full potential of existing and emerging scientific knowledge, it is imperative that societies actively engage in this endeavour. In this context, science communication is a proven method to disseminate information and cultivate scientific awareness among the general populace.

One of the important events, ‘S&T Media and Communicators Conclave’ holds a special importance in this mega science festival, as it will showcase the important role that the media plays in bringing India's scientific vision to the spotlight.

Debobrat Ghose, Editor, Science India, said, "Various sessions like Master Class and panel discussions on ways to enhance the representation of S&T in media are aimed at strengthening science communication to reach out to the masses, especially students.”

Besides, a panel discussion on ‘Science through cinema’, we've introduced a new session on a futuristic topic 'Science Diplomacy', which is gaining momentum in strengthening international relations, he added.