Source: scienceindiafest.org

NEW DELHI: The fifth edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) will be held in Kolkata from November 5-8. The Biswa Bangla Convention Centre and the Science City will be prime sites for various events during the festival.

The idea behind the festival, an annual event organised jointly by the science and technology ministry and Vijnana Bharati ((Vibha) is to expose students to real science through multiple events at one platform. Vibha is the science and technology wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

IISF 2019 is expected to host a gathering of around 12,000 participants, including nearly 8,000 students, from India and abroad. This year’s IISF will also witness the Science Literature Festival - called Vigyanika - where several programmes related to various genre will be organised.

“IISF 2019 will play a crucial role in promoting love and passion of science among students by bringing science outside the lab. It is time to make science a ‘Jan Andolan’ (people movement),” science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan said on Tuesday.

The theme for this year’s festival is ‘RISEN India’ — Research, Innovation and Science Empowering the Nation.

Recalling the contributions of several eminent scientists, Vardhan said Kolkata was chosen as the venue this year as the city’s scientific institutions had been the workplace of several scientists who gave shape to science in India.

“IISF is a festival to celebrate the achievements of India’s scientific and technological advancements with students, innovators, craftsmen, farmers, scientists and technocrats from India and abroad,” he added.

A Students Science Village will be a major highlight of IISF 2019. The Students Science Village programme is linked with Pradhan Mantri Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, where every member of Parliament has been asked to nominate five students along with their teacher from villages of their respective constituencies.

“The IISF is the largest science festival in the world. Real science cannot be learned in classroom atmosphere. The festival provides the youths an opportunity to learn science in action and motion,” said Ashutosh Sharma , department of science & technology (DST) secretary, while emphasising on importance of holding such festival.

The special role of women scientists and entrepreneurs in shaping the scientific growth trajectory will be another highlight of this festival. Approximately 700 women scientist/entrepreneurs will attend the event.

Besides, the IISF will see the north-east science students’ meet which will bring hundreds of innovative, dedicated and award-winning students on a single platform to share their experiences and put forth new dimensions of science.

“IISF aims to strengthen and integrate the scientific knowledge in accordance with the changing conditions. It also aims to promote to build scientific temper among the masses and the young children,” said Madhavan Rajeevan , secretary, ministry of earth sciences.

