CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Pune Region have jointly organised the Regional Children’s Science Congress at CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur on 14-19 November, 2019 as part of the ‘Jigyasa: Student-Scientist Connect Programme’. Shri Ravindra Thakare, Collector & District Magistrate, Nagpur inaugurated the congress on 14th November 2019 in the NEERI Auditoirum in presence of Shri P. Ravi Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Pune Region; Dr. J S Pandey, Chief Scientist & Head, Climate Change and Skilling Division (CCSD), CSIR-NEERI; and Dr. Zareena Quireshi, Principal, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV).
Shri Ravindra Thakare, Collector and District Magistrate, Nagpur delivered an inspirational message and addressed the participating students as the “Future of India”. He also mentioned that science is important for the development of the society and the country.
The Children’s Science Congress provides a unique opportunity to students to use their scientific temperament and knowledge, and to quench their thirst for creativity by conducting scientific experiments to solve problems identified by them, he added. Earlier, Shri P. Ravi Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Pune Region informed that approximately 660 Navodaya Vidyalayas are operational across India. He advised the students to develop aptitude of listening and observing scientifically, which will enhance their knowledge. Thus, the knowledge acquired and implemented will be more useful for the society, he added.
Dr. J S Pandey, Chief Scientist & Head, Climate Change and Skilling Division (CCSD), CSIR-NEERI briefed about the activities and achievements of CSIR, in particular CSIR-NEERI. He also emphasized on a need to improve our primary education. Mr. Prakash Kumbhare, Sr. Principal Scientist, CSIR-NEERI outlined the activities of the Regional Children’s Science Congress aligning with the ‘Jigyasa: Student-Scientist Connect Programme’. Dr. Zareena Quireshi, Principal, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) proposed the vote of thanks.
150 students of Navodaya Vidyalayas from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Daman and Diu, along with the teachers are participating in this congress to learn fundamentals of science and technology with insight on agriculture, water technology and management, renewable energy, computer science, medical science, microbiology and genetics, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, nanotechnology, etc.
The students will visit various laboratories of CSIR-NEERI and other Institutes in Nagpur where they will get an opportunity to interact with the scientists. Various activities have been scheduled in the science congress which will help to nurture and bring out the hidden latent talent, and promote science, technology and innovations amongst the school children.
