New Delhi, November 16, 2023
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted India’s burgeoning scientific prowess, asserting that the nation’s global supremacy will be defined by its scientific advancements. Dr. Singh lauded India’s recent milestones, including the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission and the development of COVID-19 vaccines, positioning India’s scientific community on par with international benchmarks.
Addressing the media regarding the upcoming 9th India International Science Festival (IISF) – 2023 scheduled to be held in Faridabad in January 2024, Dr. Jitendra Singh underlined how scientific breakthroughs, over the past nine years under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, have significantly contributed to enhancing the ‘Ease of Living’ for the common populace.
Dr. Singh emphasized that the IISF serves as a platform to leverage science, technology, and innovation for the greater benefit of society. He stressed the pervasive role of science and technology across various sectors, from infrastructure projects like Roads, Railways, and Smart City initiatives to advancements in healthcare such as Telemedicine, Deep Sea Exploration, Groundwater Mapping, and Crop Imaging.
The Minister outlined three key facets of the upcoming Science Festival: firstly, sharing global impact success stories with stakeholders like Startups, Industry bodies, Innovators, Researchers, Students, and the global scientific community; secondly, India’s alignment with major global scientific breakthroughs, exemplified by the National Quantum Mission, collaborating with six other countries; and thirdly, India’s demonstration to the world that scientific research is pivotal for development purposes, visible in nearly all flagship schemes over the last decade, infused with the footprint of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, highlighted that the IISF will ignite entrepreneurial spirit among the youth and showcase the marvels of science through exhibitions and a Startup conclave.
Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), revealed that over 10,000 school children and 500 young researchers will partake in the festival, along with more than 100 Startups exhibiting their achievements. The event anticipates a gathering of over 12,000 delegates.
Scheduled to be hosted at the Campus of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) in Faridabad, the 9th edition of IISF 2023, themed ‘Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal,’ aims to inspire individuals from diverse backgrounds, including students, educators, scientists, researchers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and science communicators.
The festival will showcase 17 themes highlighting scientific achievements and offer diverse benefits to participants and the public at large. A distinctive feature of IISF-2023 will be the IISF Challenge, aimed at setting a new global record, with nearly 500 Satellites (WeMoSat) developed by a team of two Class 9 students. The meteorological satellites will measure pressure, temperature, humidity, and other parameters up to a height of 200 meters using paramotors.
Notably, around 100 women scientists and successful entrepreneurs will exhibit their achievements, while 40 to 50 international experts are expected to participate, fostering collaboration in various scientific domains.
