INDIAN AMBASSADOR IN USA NIRUPAMA RAO INAUGURATED THE FIRST WOMEN SCIENCE CONGRESS AND MEETS ODISHA CM

INDIAN AMBASSADOR IN USA NIRUPAMA RAO INAUGURATED THE FIRST WOMEN SCIENCE CONGRESS AND MEETS ODISHA CM 6/01/2012
ODISHA NEWS:

Indian Ambassador in USA Nirupama Rao meets Odisha CM Naveen Pattnaik at Naveen Niwas. It should be noted that Nirupama in Bhubaneswar to take part in Indian Science Congress. Nirupama Rao to inaugurate Women's Science Congress at KIIT University campus.


Mentioning that role of science is important for building strong India ambassador of India to US Nirupama Rao said that number of women in science is still few. To increase this number policy decision need to be taken.


Inaugurating the first women science congress during the 99th National Science Congress (NSC) organized at KIT University she said that, “question must be put to our self why there less women in science. Pursuit of science is gender neutral. But In many developing countries like India have fewer women on science and research field. Fewer women in major national science academy in India.


She calls for increase science literacy rate in the country. People must understand the basic scientific terms. To become global leader in innovation we have to create scientific temper among us. She added.


During 12th century great mathematician Leela Bati was enlighten the image of India in global arena. It also proves that women in science are a part of our old civilization.


In 1975 , the number of women engineer limited to 600 only. But currently this number crossed more than numbers of thousands. In 1950 only 50 women were able to got PhD degree in science. Now number of women PhD holder in science in India has more than 6000.

Government of India set up a task force in 2005 for women in science. To implement and evaluate the recommendation of the task force a standing committee has been set up under the chairmanship of minister of science and technology and earth science. She added.

She said that, “ Few years ago little numbers of Indian women make it to sky. Indian sky needs more women for success.”


Many women passed in science stream and got higher degree also. To help them government should create mid career opportunity for them basically those who are live in rural India. They have to be provided opportunity to excel their career in the field of food processing, food science and post harvest process, etc.
To attract more women for science and research ministry of science and technology launched various scheme. Through women science scheme more than 2000 women got fellowship. Under Curie programme 6 university of India benefitted.




The theme chosen for the 99th science congress is “Science and Technology for Inclusive Innovation – Role of Women”. This pre-centenary science congress will be unique and has many special features. This is the first science congress focusing on women. As the slogan “Reaching the Unreached” indicates, this science congress will deliberate on how to employ Science and Technology effectively to ensure development of all sections of the society.


The congress will especially focus on innovations to ensure the benefits of science and technology reach people irrespective of whether they are rich or poor, urban or rural, men or women, thus empowering every citizen to achieve inclusive development for successful transition into a developed country. It is now accepted across the world that any developmental project which is not engendered is only endangered.
The women’s science congress is being conducted on the theme”Women in Science and Science for Women” for the first time. This programme is designed to spread the understanding of the need to empower women who constitute nearly 50% of the population and involve them effectively in nation building activities tapping their potential as innovators and implementers of innovations other than being beneficiaries of innovations.


While Science and Technology can be powerful tools in empowering women, Science and Technology can be vastly enriched by women’s involvement. Thus, women’s science congress will also showcase the contributions of women for Science and Technology.

Leading women scientists will deliver lectures on their contributions. This, it is hoped, will help in breaking the myth that still persists that women are less suited to pursue science and encourage more women to pursue science. Scientists, teachers and students, policy makers and representatives from the industrial sector and employers will be invited to participate.


During the inaugural ceremony general president of the 99th NSC prof. Geetha Bali gives welcome address. Other dignitaries like Union minister of state for human resource development Dr D Purandeswari and assistant director-general for natural science, UNESCO Dr Gretchen Kalonji present on the stage.

SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,
BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS,ODISHA