Author: Dr Kishore Paknikar

When India celebrates 100 years of independence in 2047, the nation envisions itself not only as an economic powerhouse but also as a global intellectual engine, confident in its science, proud of its technology, and open to sharing its innovations. Under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, a fully developed India is imagined as a place where prosperity is created through ideas and shared through collaboration. Becoming a developed nation requires more than high GDP or modern infrastructure. It requires scientific self-belief, resilient institutions, and a continuous cycle of learning and innovation. How effectively India builds and connects its research, development,…

The recent India AI Summit held in New Delhi has generated widespread interest across the country, particularly among students and young professionals. The discus­sions around indigenous AI platforms, emerging applications, and future pos­sibilities have created a strong sense of excitement. For many, it marks a shift in perception, with India moving from be­ing largely a user of artificial intelligence to becoming an active contributor. At the same time, this visibility has brought a new set of questions into homes, classrooms, and workplaces. Students are trying to understand what this means for their future. Parents are wondering how to guide their…

NATIONAL SPACE DAY On 23 August 2023, the world watched with ad­miration as India’s Chan­drayaan-3 mission made a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole, a region no other country had reached. It was a moment of quiet triumph, a symbol of indigenous scientific strength, and a testament to India’s long-term commitment to building its own space programme. The government’s decision to declare this day as National Space Day was both symbolic and timely. But as the celebration faded, it stirred an important question: Why do moments of indigenous scientific glory still seem so rare in India’s broader re­search and…

IN FOCUS: | MACS-AGHARKAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE, PUNE In a country where science is often discussed in terms of missions, mega laboratories, and cutting edge technologies, it is easy to forget that enduring scientific institu­tions are not built overnight. They grow through patience, purpose, and a steady commitment to society. Few Indian in­stitutes embody this spirit as clearly as the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, functioning under the Maharash­tra Association for the Cultivation of Science (MACS). Nestled in the heart of Pune’s aca­demic precinct, ARI stands today as one of India’s oldest continuously func­tioning multidisciplinary research in­stitutes in the life sciences.…

TRIVIA Certain dates acquire a quiet distinction in the history of sci­ence, and February 28 is one such day. In India, it is observed as the National Science Day to commemorate the announcement of the Raman Effect on 28 February 1928 by C V Raman at the Indian Association for the Cultiva­tion of Science (IACS) in Kolkata. By demonstrating that a small fraction of scattered light changes its wavelength after interacting with matter, Raman revealed how light can carry a molecu­lar signature of substances. This insight laid the foundation of modern spectros­copy and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics…