HYDERABAD, FEBRUARY 27, 2025: Rashtrapati Nilayam in Bolarum, Secunderabad, is hosting two-day celebrations from 27th to 28th February, to commemorate National Science Day. The event features a variety of sessions and competitions aimed at promoting scientific curiosity and engagement among students and the public.
This event was graced by Dr.Chintakagiri Mohan Rao, Former Director (CCMB) and SS Bhatnagar Awardee, and Dr.Sesikeran Boindala, MD, FAMS, Former Director of ICMR – National Institute of Nutrition. The Scientific R&D exhibits and Book exhibition was inaugurated by the guests. In his speech, Dr.Chintakagiri Mohan Rao provided an insightful overview of the Raman Effect, shedding light on its significance in the field of spectroscopy. He explained how this phenomenon, discovered by Sir C.V. Raman, occurs when light is scattered by molecules and emphasized its role in explaining natural phenomena such as the blue color of the sky and the sea. He described how the scattering of light by molecules, a result of the Raman Effect, causes shorter wavelengths, like blue, to be scattered more than others, giving the sky and sea their characteristic color.
In a thought-provoking speech delivered by Dr. Sesikeran Boindala, he highlighted several health issues, focusing on the science behind everyday practices and their long-term effects. He emphasized the importance of mindful cooking, using biryani as an example to demonstrate how proper preparation can preserve nutritional value and reduce health risks. Dr. Boindala also addressed the rise in early heart strokes among impoverished communities, attributing this to poor maternal nutrition and low birth weight. Additionally, he discussed the higher incidence of large intestine cancer in Asians compared to Africans, linking this disparity to diet and lifestyle factors, including high processed food intake, low fiber consumption, and lack of physical activity.
The inauguration of these celebrations included welcome dances by Shri Punya Keerthi and a curated dance on Science by CRPF public school, Hakimpet students.
Science R&D Exhibits display: Leading R&D institutions are showcasing their latest advancements such as the
- Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) – Description of Genetic disorder, display of Plant DNA fingerprinting methods, CDFD technology Incubator
- National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) – They shared the knowledge related to Space science of Astrophysics and also promoted their space activities.
- Survey of India – Display of Drone surveys, Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS), Anaglyph Stereo Vision, National Geospecial project of Urban Habitation.
- Indian Institute of Chemical Technology – Sustainable innovation for Societal use, the pheromone application of technology towards Sustainable Agriculture, Lipid technology, Enorbic gas reacted energy and Environment Bio waste to healthy generations, methods of converting Bio-compost to plastic
- National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) – Food Adulteration and Body composition
- Startup company working on STEM – Zentrix India Pvt Ltd – Concepts of STEM education in careers
- Startup company working on STEM – Next Skills 360 – coding of AI and computational thinking skills for students without using computer or internet
- Startup company working on STEM – Maker verse – STEM education for students
Book Exhibition: Organized by the National Book Trust, Jana Vignana Vedika, and Deccan Heritage Academy Trust, this exhibition offers a diverse collection of books on science, technology, and heritage, providing valuable resources for attendees. Deccan Heritage Academy Trust holds valuable books on Science information and special books written by Children of various districts of Telangana to their parents and grandparents.
Photo Exhibition: A captivating display honoring around 50 Indian scientists, highlighting their contributions to various scientific fields. Also, it captured the evolution of Science phase wise showcasing from Industrial revolution to automation.
Workshops: Interactive sessions led by renowned scientists and innovators were organized where the topics covered today are
- ‘Raman Effect‘ by A.Ramachandraiah from Jana Vignana Vedika – He described Raman Effect as the most fascinating phenomena in the field of optics and stated its importance, advancements, challenges and future with an example to understand its immense contributions to science.
- ‘Popularizing Science‘ by Dr. Naga Suri Venu Gopal, Science writer, Broadcaster, and Media researcher – He stated that popularizing science is breaking down complex scientific concepts into understandable and engaging content that anyone regardless of their background can enjoy and learn from. He also said that it is important to make science important. As science continues to shape our world, it is essential that we engage, inspire, and educate people from all walks of life. Science belongs to everyone, and it has the power to change lives, communities, and the future itself.
- ‘Careers in STEM courses’ by Prof. Geedipalli Surender Reddy, Chief Advisor, Centre for Energy Technology, Osmania University and Director, Ramkee Group, Hyderabad – He stated STEM as an interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes the integration of four fields to solve real-world problems and innovate across various industries. The innovations from STEM research have global impacts, influencing healthcare, the economy, and society. From climate change to pandemics, STEM fields provide the knowledge and tools necessary to address critical issues facing the world today. STEM careers contribute significantly to national economies by creating jobs, fostering innovation, and improving productivity across sectors. He also described the Key characteristics of STEM, Rapid Technological Advancements, The Rise of Digital Transformation, Sustainability and Green Technologies, Interdisciplinary Approach of STEM, Emerging fields in STEM like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Quantum Computing, Biotechnology and Genomics, Robotics and Automation etc.
- ‘Robotics – Innovation and Technology’ by Shri Aashik Rahaman, Chief Executive Officer, Propeller Technologies. – Connecting the concept of Robotics to Societal needs with examples such as the utilization of Robotics services with AI technology during COVID for treating patients.
Competitions: The event includes engaging competitions with the participation of around 500 students from various schools and colleges, including a quiz, Scientific R&D exhibits display, and poster-making contests, designed to encourage active participation and learning among attendees.
This program has the participation of around 2700 participants from various schools and colleges. National Science Day celebrations will continue on 28th February 2025 including the Book exhibition and Scientific R&D exhibits.
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