Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State (IC) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences felicitated science students and researchers who returned to the country today after interacting with Nobel Laureates at their Annual Meeting at Lindau, Germany. Awarding certificates to each one of them for their proud achievement at a function in New Delhi, the Minister said that such opportunity early in the career encourages brilliant students to join various science streams in the country.

Department of Science & Technology (DST) under a joint programme with Lindau Foundation, Germany, selects science students and researchers for interaction meet in Lindau with Nobel Laureates from across the world. DST sent 43 such student/ researchers this year for one- week interaction in the area of Chemistry, the focus area for the 2009 meeting. Important objective of the event is to encourage young students into science research by taking inspiration from world-renowned scientists in their respective areas.

Lindau meetings provide open and informal contact between Laureates & students and young researchers through roundtable debates, lectures and personal small group discussions. The event also provides platform to Indian students to interact with a wide matrix of students from all parts of the world. Countries from where science students come for the meetings, besides India include: hosts Germany, US, many European, Asian and African countries.

Nobel Laureates in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine have been meeting in one chosen year for interactions every year in Lindau, Germany.

India being partner country this year, DST was able to send larger number of students to the event.

Besides the interaction meet with the Nobel Laureates, the students were also taken to various research centres in Germany to introduce them to the research culture in these centres.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : July 12, 2009