Indian Science Congress set to begin on Friday                                                                 

Imphal, capital of Manipur is all set to host the annual session of the Indian Science Congress for the first time. The Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate the 105th session of the congress on Friday. Manipur University will host the science congress.

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.

Nobel laureates, Field Medal winners in mathematics and leading scientists will be among those slated to address different sessions at the annual event. 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.

The highlights of the program include children’s science congress which will be inaugurated on March 17 and Women's science congress to be held on March 18 and 19. In addition, there will be a Science Communicator’s Meet on March 19.

" This year the focus will be on translational science for promoting affordable sustainable innovation."

It is expected that around 5,000 delegates from all over the country will participate in the event including students, academicians, members of science and engineering academies, officials of  all ministers promoting science and technology and representatives of national science academies of different countries.

The 104th Indian Science Congress was held in Tirupati and the theme was “Science & Technology for National Development”. Last year Prime Minister in his inaugural speech had observed that “some of these important challenges are in the key sectors of clean water & energy, food, environment, climate, security, and healthcare.  We equally need to keep an eye on the rise of disruptive technologies and be prepared to leverage them for growth. We need to clearly assess the challenges and opportunities for our technology readiness and competitiveness.” This year as the theme suggests the congress is set to take these thoughts to the next level.

The 105th science congress was scheduled to take place in Hyderabad this year in January but postponed. Osmania University, which was supposed to host the event, had expressed its inability to hold it. (India Science Wire)