PM Modi is addressing 108th Indian Science Congress on the theme “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment.”
The focal theme of this year’s ISC is “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment”. It will witness discussions on issues of sustainable development, women empowerment and the role of science & technology in achieving this. The participants will discuss and deliberate on ways to increase the number of women in higher echelons of teaching, research and industry, along with trying to find ways to provide women with equal access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education, research opportunities and economic participation. A special programme to showcase the contribution of women in science and technology will also be held, which will also witness lectures by renowned women scientists.
Several other programmes will also be organised alongside ISC. Children’s Science Congress will also be organised to help stimulate scientific interest and temperament among children. Farmer’s Science Congress will provide a platform to improve the bio-economy and attract youth to agriculture. Tribal Science Congress will also be held, which will also be a platform for scientific display of indigenous ancient knowledge system and practice, along with focusing on the empowerment of tribal women.
The first session of the Congress was held in 1914. The 108th annual session of ISC is being held at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, which is also celebrating its centenary this year.
The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) owes its origin to the foresight and initiative of two British Chemists, namely, Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P. S. Mac Mahon. It was their view that scientific research in India would be stimulated if an annual meeting of research workers somewhat on the lines of the British Association for the Advancement of Science could be arranged.
The Association was formed with the following objectives : i) To advance and promote the cause of Science in India; ii) To hold an annual Congress at a suitable place in India; iii) To publish such proceedings, journals, transactions and other publications as may be considered desirable; iv) To secure and manage funds and endowments for the promotion of Science including the rights of disposing of or selling all or any portion of the properties of the Association; and v) To do and perform any or all other acts, matters and things as are conducive to, or incidental to, or necessary for, the above objects.
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