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Science congress to showcase Indian space success

Fakir Chand in Bangalore

Befitting the host city of the ensuing 90th Indian Science Congress, the success of the Indian space programs will be the hallmark of the mega event in Bangalore.

To be inaugurated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on January 3, 2003, the five-day congress will showcase the sterling achievements of the Indian Space Research Organisation and its associated agencies during the last four decades as 'Pride of India'.

As a co-host of the science congress, Isro is organsing a Global Space Summit to bring leading experts from international space agencies on a single platform for brain-storming sessions on related fields of space transportation, space technology, space applications, space science and space policy.

The summit will have keynote addresses by eminent scientists on the future of space vision, with a live demo on space-bridge and a panel discussion on "space technology applications - perspective for the future", with eminent scientist M G K Menon in chair.

According to Isro chairman K Kasturirangan, a Space Galleria will be put up as part of the event to enable space organisations to showcase their products and technologies.

"Engineering units, IT companies, research organisations and associates of Isro, dealing in satellite systems, launch vehicle technology and remote sensing applications from India and other countries will be participating to enlighten thousands of delegates, attending the congress," Kasturirangan stated in Bangalore at a pre-view of the forthcoming show.

Being the science capital of India, with leading scientific, defence, space, IT and research institutions located across Bangalore, the congress has chosen for its 90th prestigious event "Frontier Science and Cutting Edge Technologies Mega Expo" as its main theme.

"Pride of India offers excellent platform to all organizations, which have made the country proud with their products, technologies, researches and services. Many Indian companies are quickly adapting to new challenges and acquiring new skills to become globally competitive," Kasturirangan stated.

Making a path-breaking departure from its conservative approach to the subject and confining itself to pure science, the organisers, including the Bangalore University as its other co-host, have decided to focus this time on new age technologies such as agri-tech, bio-tech and information technology.

"We have chosen six fields, viz., bio-tech, agro-food tech, health, IT & communications technology, energy and education as the main areas of focus, with a view to highlighting their relevance and importance for sustainable development of India," Kasturirangan affirmed.

Bangalore University will throw open its sprawling Jnana Bharathi green campus on the outskirts of the city for the annual congress as well as its mega show Science Expo 2003.

According to Bangalore University vice-chancellor M S Thimmappa, India's best of public and private sector organisations will showcase their products, technologies, and research work in the 'Pride of India' exhibition, spread over 8000sq metres.

"For the first time, several leading states from across the country have also evinced keen interest to participate in the expo to present their achievements, strengths and vision to attract global and domestic investments in diverse fields, especially in the new-growth areas of IT, bio-tech, agro-food tech, healthcare, and multiple services," Thimmappa disclosed.

States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala and Goa have already confirmed their participation.

In the Hall of Pride, Reliance Industries will take the visitors through the inspiring journey of life and times of its patriarch Dhirubhai Ambani, and his struggle to make his global company India's leading corporate entity. "As part of the expo, a symposium on "Leadership through Technology" will also be held to address several issues pertaining to the academia, industry, research and development institutions, management, and the issue of Intellectual Property Rights," Thimmappa said.

Incidentally, for the first time, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies & Industries are associating with India's premier science congress.

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