The Children’s Science Congress opened today at the North Eastern Hill University,NEHU, providing an opportunity to hundreds of students in the hill capital of Meghalaya to have a glimpse of the Science and Technology scenario in the country. Held on the occasion of the 96th Indian Science Congress it was inaugurated by renowned scientist, Prof. M.G.K. Menon, who is also the Chancellor of the NEHU.

In his written message on the occasion, the former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam appealed to the young minds to ‘Observe, Experiment and Think”. He called upon students to pursue science as a career with passion to meet the challenges and derive happiness through providing better quality of life to their brethren. Dr. Kalam said that it should be the mission of our budding scientists to see that they make scientific discoveries, which will lay the foundation for future technologies of the country leading to new cost effective products for our people and also increase the wealth of the nation. He further asked them to take, what he called, an “Eight point Oath” as follows:

• Science is a life time mission. I will work, work and work and succeed.
  Wherever I am, a thought will always come to my mind. That is what I can innovate, invent or discover.
  
• I will always remember that ‘Let not my winged days, be spent in vain”.
  
• I realize I have to set a great scientific goal that will lead me to think high, work and persevere to realize the goal.
  
• My greatest friends will be great scientific minds, great teachers and great books.
  
• I firmly believe that no problem can defeat me; I will become the captain of the problem, defeat the problem and succeed.
  
• I will work and work for removing the problems faced by planet earth in the areas of water, energy, habitat, waste management and environment through the application of science and technology.
  
• My National Flag flies in my heart and I will bring glory to my nation.

The Children’s Science Congress is supported by the Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Prodyogiki Sanchar Parishad (NCSTC) of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

About 23 states are participating with over 200 students putting up more than 100 stalls, representing states such as Uttarkhand, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, as well as the NE states. Various subjects being projected in the exhibition include Space Technology, Environmental Awareness Projects, NCERT Science exhibits and Planet Earth and our Home-Explore, Care and Share etc.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : January 05, 2009