Women science congress underway in Imphal

Imphal, March 18 (EMN): The 7th edition of the Women science congress was formally inaugurated at the Centenary hall of Manipur University which is currently hosting the first ever 105th Indian Science Congress at its Canchipur campus, 5km south of main town.
West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi was the chief guest of the formal inauguration function and it was presided by former general president of Indian Science congress Association (ISCA) Ashok Saxena.
Vice Chancellor AP Pandey of Manipur University, former general secretary ISCA Vijay Laxmi Saxena, ISCA General Secretaries Gangadhar,PP Mathur and Namita Gupta of Ministry of Science and Technology also attended the colourful inaugural function.
Speaking on the occasion, West Bengal Governor Tripathi said that women have overcome the traditional mindsets and have excelled in various professions.
Stating that the women equipped with scientific and technological acumen can go a long way in bringing overall development of the region and the nation at large.
The governor said he is confident that the 7th women science congress will act as a path breaking initiative taken up by the Indian Science Congress Association to empower women and bring about sustainable inclusive development.
He also lauded the contribution of the Manipuri women in the development of the state and maintaining peace and harmony. In fact all the local and traditional markets are run by the women only, the West Bengal governor added.
On the other hand, informing that there are only four women general presidents in the 105 years of ISCA, former ISCA president Ashok Saxena said so more women scientists should participate in spreading science as a career and also science as the proper approach in running the house hold or organisation.
In her speech, former general secretary ISCA Vijay Laxmi Saxena expressed that women empowerment is important for the development of the country and society in possible way in today’s era.VC of Manipur University Pandey and Namita Gupta of Ministry of Science and Technology also spoke on the occasion.
In the day’s first scientific session, three experts Prof Sadhana Singh of D.G. PG College Kanpur,Prof Chandrawati jee (Retd) of AN College Patna,Dr Vidyapatni,head of botany, Maharaja College Rajasthan University will make presentations on different topics and the session will be chaired by Prof Asha Gupta of Life science department of Manipur University.
In the second session, Dr Archana Verma of National dairy research institute Karnal, Dr Hemlata J Wangkhede of Institute of Science PG and Research Aurangabad, Dr Anukriti Verna of Christian Medical College Ludhiana and Prof Asha Gupta of Life science department Manipur University will also share their presentations. Prof Manjushree Majumdar,Department of Pure Mathemetics,Calcutta University will chaired the last session of the day.
It may be noted that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 105th Congress – the largest gathering of Indian scientists, in Imphal on Fri. March 16 and thus the Manipur state capital becomes the second city in the North East to host such a prestigious event after Shillong in 2009.
The Congress was scheduled to be held at Osmania University in Hyderabad from Jan. 3 to 7 but was rescheduled to March 16 till the 20th and its venue was moved to the Manipur University on Fri.
The focal theme for 2018 Science Congress is “Reaching the Unreached through Science and Technology”. This year the focus will be on translational science for promoting affordable sustainable innovation.
During the five-day program the focus will be on various scientific disciplines and how they can connect with the society.
On Sat. March 17, the children’s science congress, first of its kind in the ISC was inaugurated. In addition, there will be a Science Communicator’s Meet on March 19. Young Scientists Awards will also be conferred during the function.
A technology based start-up conclave also will be showcased inviting top innovators and entrepreneurial researchers.