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

MAOISTS BLAST POLICE VEHICLE AT KANDHAMAL KILLING THREE POLICEMAN ,CM ANNOUNCES 8 LAKH EX-GRATIA

MAOISTS BLAST POLICE VEHICLE AT KANDHAMAL KILLING THREE POLICEMAN ,CM ANNOUNCES 8 LAKH EX-GRATIA 6/01/2012
ODISHA NEWS:


The Maoists on Thursday triggered a landmine blast in Kandhamal district, blowing up a police vehicle killing three policemen on the spot and critically injuring three.
Condemning the incident in the strongest terms, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 10 lakh as compensation and Rs 8 lakh towards insurance coverage for the family of each deceased, special pension and job for at least one member of the family.


The incident happened on the Kotagad-Srirampur road when a police team consisting of six members along with their sniffer squad was travelling towards the site of another landmine blast that took place on Wednesday, the first day of the bandh. The Tata Sumo in which they were travelling was damaged beyond recognition.

The deceased were identified as Umakant Jani, Sangram Lenka and Sunasira Mahanty. The injured under treatment include Basant Behra and Havildar Pandav.


The three injured constables were airlifted to Cuttack, and the helicopter carrying them arrived at around 5 pm at the Satybrata Stadium, from where they were rushed to the hospital by an ambulance.


A team of doctors from neurosurgery, orthopedic and surgery departments went for several clinical tests of the injured constables keeping under observation at the trauma care centre. Sources in the hospital said that while one constable was in critical condition with lever and stomach injury, the remaining two were out of danger.

Meanwhile, Odisha Constable, Havildar and Sepoy Confederation president Padmanabh Behera raised a question, saying the plight of the policemen could have been avoided had the authorities followed the SOP strictly.

SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,
BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS,
ODISHA

DR APJ ABDUL KALAM ADDRESSES AT XIMB

DR APJ ABDUL KALAM ADDRESSES AT XIMB 6/01/2012
ODISHA NEWS:

Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB) welcomed former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to their campus to address the students and faculty. Also present were the Director of XIMB, Fr. P.T. Joseph and Dean (Academics), Prof. Subhajyoti Ray.

The address was attended by the entire XIMB student community along with the faculty and institute administration. The talk focused on the importance of creative leadership for economic development, the relevance of sustainable development in the current global economic scenario, the implementation of PURA(Provision of Urban amenities in Rural areas) and his visualization of India in the year 2020. He was particularly verbose on tapping the managerial talent and channelizing it towards the development of the rural India so that this results in bringing down the rural urban divide. Dr. Kalam also stressed on the fact that apart from being responsible managers the other priority would be to become a responsible citizen of the country and to ensure that the society is free from corruption.


Towards the end of his speech he made the students take his characteristic oath in which he stresses on students dreaming big making them say that dreaming anything small is a crime and that it is dreams that make us achieve what others perceive to be impossible. Further he stressed in his oath that the students need to be responsible citizens where they shall work with integrity and achieve success with integrity, and in the process of becoming successful managers they shall bring laurels for the country.


Dr. Kalam’s address was both educative and inspirational for everyone present in the XIMB auditorium and it was very well received by the students and the faculty. The speech was followed by a round of interaction with the students with the former president welcoming questions from the gathering.


Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is one of the most distinguished scientists and thinkers of our day and age. He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997). Dr. Kalam has always given utmost importance to inspiring the minds of the youth in hopes of getting India closer to his vision of India as a superpower by 2020. He is also a visiting faculty in many reputed educational institutes.


SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,
BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS,
ODISHA

DR APJ ABDUL KALAM INAUGURATED THE CHILDREN SCIENCE CONGRESS AT BHUBANESWAR

DR APJ ABDUL KALAM INAUGURATED THE CHILDREN SCIENCE CONGRESS AT BHUBANESWAR 4/01/2012
ODISHA NEWS:


Renowned Scientist and Former President of India Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inaugurated the Children’s Science Congress today held at KIIT University campus on the 99th edition of Indian Science Congress (ISC).


On this occasion Dr. Kalam appealed to the school children participating in the ISC to work to make their home free from corruption and to be unique and work in the field of science and technology.


Replying to a question on how he managed to balance science and politics when he was the President of India, Kalam said “Science needs lots of money and money comes from politicians.”


During his interaction with the students Dr. Kalam also faced some difficult questions like why India spends so much on missiles and other defence programmes while so many people sleep on empty stomachs.
Avoiding any direct answer to this question Dr. Kalam replied, “I personally feel science is for people who have the capacity to do that, and you can select science or humanities.”


It is noteworthy to mention that the Children’s Science Congress is organized to provide an unique opportunity to children to use their scientific temperament and knowledge and to quench their thirst for creativity by conducting scientific experiments. It generally comprises of a three days event which encourages children to visualize science and stimulates their scientific temperament.


The former President hoped the coming generation will have great aim in life, acquire knowledge continuously, work hard and be the captain of all problems.

He also advised the young students to make great books, great human beings and great teachers as their true friends.

Dr. Kalam said imagination is the beginning of creation and young students should imagine what they desire. He said knowledge of science can give one better eyes and solve sea of problems.

Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patsani, Professor Geetha Bali, Vice Chancellor of the Karnataka State Women’s University, Bijapur, Science and Technology and Earth Science Minister Ashwani Kumar were present in the occasion.


About 20,000 children from different parts of the country have been participating in the Children's Science Congress that will continue till Friday.

SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,
BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS,
ODISHA

KALINGA CHAIR AWARD – 2009 TO VIETNAM SCIENTIST PROFESSOR TRINH XUAN THUAN

KALINGA CHAIR AWARD – 2009 TO VIETNAM SCIENTIST PROFESSOR TRINH XUAN THUAN 4/01/2012
ODISHA NEWS:

Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik giving Kalinga Chair-2009 to Prof. Trinh Xuan Thuan at the International Conference for Celebration of 60th Anniversary UNESCO Kalinga Prize for Popularization of Science at KIIT University campus on Wednesday.


Earlier Kalinga Foundation announces Rene Raul Drucker Colin of Mexico as the winner of the prestigious Unesco Kalinga Prize for the year 2011 for his contribution to popularise science among common men, according to an announcement made by the Kalinga Foundation Trust (KFT). Dr Drucker Colin will receive the Unesco Kalinga Prize 2011 for his contribution to popularise science among common men, KFT president B C Patnaik. The winner of the Unesco Kalinga Prize gets a cash award of USD 20,000, Unesco Albert Einstein Silver Medal and a citation.

Dr Drucker was the president of Mexican Academy of Sciences during 2000-01. He worked in the field of brain chemistry and functions, mechanism of sleep, neural transmission, brain physiology and neuro hormones. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik today sent a congratulatory message to Dr Drucker.

The Unesco — Kalinga Prize will complete 60 years in 2012. In order to commemorate it, the Unesco has chalked out an ambitious plan to celebrate the event in Bhubaneswar concurrently with the 99th Indian Science Congress from January 3 to January 7, 2012.

The winner also gets the award of Kalinga Chair introduced by the Centre to mark the 50th anniversary of Kalinga Prize.

The holder of the Kalinga Chair travels to India for a period of two to four weeks as a guest of government of India and delivers talks on popularization of science at different educational institutions. Kalinga Chair also carries a token honorarium of USD 5,000.

SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,
BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS,
ODISHA

99TH SCIENCE CONGRESS WILL BE HELD IN ODISHA

99TH SCIENCE CONGRESS WILL BE HELD IN ODISHA 1/01/2012
ODISHA NEWS:

Odisha's capital city Bhubaneswar in full swing for 99th Indian Science Congress which will be held from from January 3 to January 7 at KIIT Campus. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate it on January 3 and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and Science Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmuk and many other eminent persons, including Nobel laureates, are expected to grace the five-day mega event.


More than 11,000 scientists have sought registration so far and the final tally is expected to cross 15,000. The Venue can accommodate 20,000 persons at a time and over 1 lakh visitors are expected to visit the event over the five-day period.


Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh scheduled to arrive here on January 2 evening and spend the night at the Raj Bhawan. After inaugurating the Science Congress at 10 am on January 3, he will visit the Pradesh Congress headquarters to interact with State Congress leaders and workers and leave for New Delhi at 12.25 pm on the same day. Singh will be at the Science Congress from 10 am to 11.30 am.


The KIIT University is the host, and it is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the Science Congress, being held in the city after a gap of over three decades, would be an event to remember. The sprawling campus would be the venue of the main event and all the side shows that include Children’s Science Congress, Women’s Science Congress, India Pride Science Exhibition, the UNESCO Kalinga Award, scientific film festivals and an Odisha Mandap to showcase the rich art, culture, heritage, history and tradition of the State. A veritable art exhibition with well over 100 sculptures, two- kilometre long murals and over a kilometer-long painting awaits to greet the visitors to the venue.


The State Government has pitched in with efforts to spruce up the looks of the city and beef up security to the level demanded by the visit of the Prime Minister. The Bhubaneswar Commissioner ate police are looking after security and safety issues. Civic authorities have a plan in place for cleanliness. The road from Patia to Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) is being widened.

SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,
BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS,
ODISHA

UNIFORMITY IN RITUALS IN ALL JAGANNAT TEMPLE ACROSS INDIA

UNIFORMITY IN RITUALS IN ALL JAGANNAT TEMPLE ACROSS INDIA 1/01/2012
ODISHA NEWS:

The Jagannath temple in Puri has started efforts to standardize uniform rituals in all Jagannath temples across the globe and is organizing a national conference in this regard.

Talking to the media persons on Saturday, Gajapati Maharaja of Puri Dibyasingha Deb said a five-day meet titled ‘Sri Jagannath Aikya Sthapana’ would be held at Puri from February 9 to 14 this year focusing on bringing about uniformity in rituals and festivities in all Jagannath temples.

As per sources, there are about 3,421 Jagannath temples in India, including 1,638 in Odisha. However, the temples follow their daily rituals and customs while observing the annual festivals on their own.


The Jagannath Temple Administration (JTA) will bring together chiefs of more than 1,000 temples from across India, scholars and Jagannath cult propagators to deliberate on the issue in February, said Deb.


Hundreds of Jagannath temples are there in the state and abroad and new temples are also coming up. Srimandir administration requests them to follow at least some rituals in their service to Lord Jagannath, out of those being followed in Srimandir.

A national-level conference will be held on February 10 and 11 to make the administrators of the Jagannath temples aware about the rituals followed at the Srimandir for bringing parity in rituals and festivals in all temples throughout the world, the Gajapati said.

He said that apart from similar rituals and festivals, the traditional restrictions at the Puri temple on the basis of religion may not be applicable to the Jagannath temples elsewhere in the state, country and abroad.

He also informed that while other epics are silent about Jagannath, the epic ‘Skandha Purana’ has narrated about Purusottam Khetra Puri and the glory of Lord Jagannath in detail in a chapter.

During the ‘Sri Jagannath Pancha Ratra’, different topics regarding Lord Jagannath, based on the epic, will be discussed.

For five days, a special analysis on ‘Skandha Purana’ will be organised.

The conference will be inaugurated by Sankaracharya of Puri Nischalananda Saraswati Maharaj and all the programmes will be held at Saradhabali, Town Hall and collector’s conference hall in Puri.

SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA
BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS,
ODISHA