Nagpur News.
National Science Day is being celebrated on February 28 2014 across the country specifically by college and university students to inspire scientific temper among them. The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is having around 300 students in Nagpur Central Jail and they celebrated National Science Day in the jail premises. An Induction Meeting for the newly admitted students was also held on the occasion. Harshad Aher Rao, Deputy Jail Superintendent, welcomed the guests and thanked IGNOU for organizing National Science Day Lecture in Nagpur Central Jail.
Dr. Ramesh Thakre, former World Bank Adviser, delivered a talk on Science and Society with special reference to agriculture. He appreciated the students for their interest in utilizing their time in pursuing IGNOU courses. Dr Thakre said that IGNOU courses are of international standards and once they complete sincerely then it will be useful for them in getting employment after their release from the prison. He gave details of National Science Day in India and said that the population of India has increased three times since Independence. But the land available for agriculture remained the same. So new techniques are being invented by agriculture scientists for providing food to the increased population.
For the newly admitted students of the Nagpur Central Jail, induction was also held in which Dr. P. Sivaswaroop, Regional Director of IGNOU apprised them about the Open University and the study methods. He also stated various initiatives taken by IGNOU for education of prisoners. The Regional Director advised them to study honestly so that it can be useful for them after their release. He also said that very soon IGNOU will start a vocational course for bike mechanics in the Central Jail.
Dr. Rammurti Meena, Assistant Regional Director, elaborated about counselling and evaluation system in IGNOU. Study material was also distributed to the students.
The programme was conducted by Yogesh Patil, Co-ordinator of IGNOU Jail Centre. Dilip Sonkusale and Dr. Priya Thakre also participated in the programme. The programme was well attended by the prisoners.
