Indus Valley Times

By Sukanta Kumar Mohanty

BHUBANESWAR,MAY 12: CSIR-IMMT celebrated National Technology Day on Wednesday. On this Occasion “Science & Technology Based Model Competition” among the school student was organized in the campus, where more than 35 projects by 100 participants from different schools across the state showcased their innovative minds. This exhibition was organized under JIGYASA initiative.  The Science Exhibition was inaugurated by Prof, S Basu, Director, CSIR-IMMT in the presence of guests, dignitaries, students, their parents and teachers from the participating Schools. 

Inaugurating the Science Exhibition, Prof Basu, said, ” All of you know the significance of the day. On this day in 1999 Pokhran test was conducted were three nuclear bombs were dissonated on May 11 and more two in May 13.  Prior to that in 1974 Pokharan test was done and nuclear capability of India was known to the world. Except for the Prime Minister and few scientists no one knew that the Pokharan. Atal Bihari Bajpayee, Late Prime Minister of India declared to celebrate the day as National technology day. So today we are here to celebrate the day in our campus with Science Exhibition and a thought-provoking session.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Debi Prasad Das, Coordinator and Nodal Scientist of JIGYASA Project said, “This is a Scientific Social Responsibility Programme of CSIR. Under JIGYASA Progrmme, we conduct various student scientist connect programmes to enhance the interest of the students to pursue science as a career. Today on this occasion of National Technology Day we conducted this competition among school children where students can design solution for societal problems in the form of models and prototypes.  

The competitors were evaluated by experts from Institute of Physics, NISER, Institute of Chemical Technology, Utkal University and RD Women’s University.

National Technology Day celebration ended with a session where Chief Guest Sri Subroto Bagchi, Chairman Odisha Skill Development Authority delivered a lecture on “Lessons from the World of Technology”.

Mr Bagchi said, Today Odisha is one of the leading states with Metals and Minerals reserves and its utilization.  IMMT plays a big role in the development of Odisha. We are proud of CSIR -IMMT Bhubaneswar. On behalf of Odisha Govt, I congratulate each and every scientist of IMMT

I am very much familiar with this campus. It’s nice to be here in this campus on National Technology Day. Throughout of my life, I am associated with technology, from that I learnt – Technology and technologist, basically scientists are the real weird heroes or strange heroes of the society. If you are not strange or weird then you can’t be a scientist or technologist. When I joined the IT Industry I worked very closely with the R&D department. Technology plays a big role in all our lives. Added Mr Bagchi.

Students participated in 2 groups- Junior & Senior. The winners were awarded with cash prize, certificate and mementos. The awards were given during National Technology Day celebration in the afternoon in CSIR-IMMT auditorium.