Page 4 - Science India August 2022

READERS’ SQUARE
COLLECTOR’S EDITION 2.0
Swatantrata ka Amrut Mahotsava
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO COMMEMORATE 161ST BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF LEGENDARY INDIAN CHEMIST ACHARYA PC RAY
Commemorating the 161st birth anniversary of legendary Indian chem- ist, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, a two-day international conference was organised at Delhi University as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, on 2-3 August. An initiative of the Indraprastha Vigyan Bharati (VIB- HA) in association with the Department of Chemistry, DU, and support- ed by the Union Ministry of Culture, the theme of the conference was ‘Contributions of Acharya PC Ray as a Chemist and Freedom Fighter’.
The Union Minister of State for Education, Dr Subhas Sarkar, related the learnings of Ray to Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India projects. At the inaugural session, Prof Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor, DU and Dr Shekhar C Mande, former Director General, CSIR and president, VIBHA, respectively threw light on the National Education Policy 2020,
and on the vision and ini- tiative of VIBHA. While, Jayant Sahasrabudhe, National Organising Secretary, VIBHA high- lighted the role of Indian scientists in the freedom movement, Padma Shri Dr Ramakrishna V Hossur, TIFR spoke on medicinal properties of various plants and the
work done by Ray. A short science film, Revolutionary in the garb of a scientist, directed by filmmaker Nandan Kudhyadi was screened. Two exhibitions, titled ‘Struggle for Swatantrata through Science: Untold Saga’ and ‘Emergence of Nationalist Scientists’ were displayed.
“This is a milestone conference which will inspire the gen-next to learn about the foundations on which modern India was established. The main objective was to create awareness that scientists were also free- dom fighters and led India to Swaraj. We received a huge response from school, college and university participants from all over India. Thanks
to the Ministry of Culture for supporting this unknown facet of India’s freedom struggle,” said Prof Rajeev Singh, secretary, Indraprastha VIBHA.
Second edition of Collector’s Edition is much needed
The Collec-
tor’s Edition
(August 2021) was truly a col- lector’s delight for the readers due to its rich, invaluable con- tent and rare photos, which we don’t get to see elsewhere.
Each and every story in the August 2021 edition was well- researched, special and rich with exclusive information.
The cover story — ‘Untold Saga of The Struggle for Swatantrata Through Science’ by Shri Jayant Sahasrabudhe is thoroughly revealing as it unfolds audacious scientific ventures of Indian scientists that helped create national impulse to achieve Independence.
The Editor’s write-up on ‘Science as a Tool of British Exploitation of India’, is an eye-opener as it reveals the harsh truth that the colonial rulers brought scientific developments to India as an aid to their loot of the sub- continent’s vast natural resources to fuel Industrial Revolution back home. It speaks volumes of the very objec- tive of the greedy British rulers on the pretext of development.
But, it is not the end of the other- wise horrific story of status of Science during the British rule in the country. Beyond all odds, our scientists were able to make strides during those diffi- cult days. The article, ‘The Emergence of Nationalist Scientists’, is a beauti- ful example of the same. This edition helped us know how Indian scientists in the 19th and early 20th centuries fought against British imperialism and domination using science as a tool.
I’m sure there’s more to it. It will be great, if Science India could bring out a second edition of the Collector’s Edition on its theme — Struggle for Swatantrata through Science —with untold stories and events.
In the field of science journalism,
4 SCIENCE INDIA AUGUST 2022
Science India magazine through its unique concept and content — stands out in the crowd. The need of the hour for Science India is to make a strong presence on the digital platform, so that more and more people can get
to read Science India and join the Swadesh Science Movement.
In this 75th anniversary of our
Independence, I wish Science India and its team a bright future and grand success.
Prof Kumud Das Associate Professor & Program Head, School of Media & Journalism, DY Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune
AUGUST 2021 VOL 19 ISSUE 65 www.scienceindiamag.in PUBLISHED BY VIJNANA BHARATI
Connecting science and people with an Indian perspective
STRUGGLE FOR SWATANTRATA THROUGH SCIENCE
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