Lok Sabha Question No. 4075 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: National Science Day
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy, Manne Srinivas Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4075

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19/03/2021

## NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY

## 4075. SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY: SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY ौयोगक मंी be pleased to state:

वान  और

- (a)     whether the Government has recently observed National Science Day;
- (b)     if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (c) the details of the steps  taken  on  this  occasion  under  the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE; MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

वाय और परवार कयाण मंी , वान और ौयोगक मंी और पृवी वान मंी डॉ . हष वधन

- (a)   &   (b)    National  Science  Day  (NSD-  2021)  was  celebrated  by Department  of  Science  and  Technology  (DST)  at  India  International Centre, New Delhi on 28th February, 2021. The theme of NSD 2021 was 'Future of STI: Impacts on Education, Skills and Work' emphasizing the necessity of understanding of science and reaching out to people in the dynamic S&T scenario. National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) of DST is nodal agency to support, catalyze and  coordinate celebration of the NSD  throughout  the  country, particularly in scientific institutions & research laboratories. The NSD lecture  was  delivered  by  Dr  (Ms.)  Gargi  B  Dasgupta,  Director,  IBM Research India, Bangalore, India on the topic ' The future of jobs and the urgency of Science '.  Awards were given on February 28, 2021, the  National  Science  Day,  to  individuals/institutions  for  their  work related to S&T Communication & Popularisation, Science Journalism, Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) Awards and Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) Women Excellence Awards.  Two databases on ' S&T Awards in India ' and 'I ndian origin

academicians and scholars abroad ' were dedicated to the nation. The database on ' S&T Awards in India ' attempts to build and manage the information  about  science  and  technology  awards  instituted  since 1928 in India. It provides data on various aspects such as discipline, periodicity, categories, awards level, chronology and state-wise distribution  of  awards  and  their  sponsors.  It  aims  to  help  planners, policy makers, funding agencies and other stakeholders to plan their R&D  initiatives.  The  database  on  'Indian  Origin  Academicians',  in turn,  has  information  on  23,472  Indian  academicians  and  research scholars  working  in  various  countries.  It  explored  around  2,700 academic university websites to gather this information from selected countries (US, UK, Australia and Canada). It is of immense relevance in  the  present-day  scenario  where  international  collaborations  with knowledge  experts  are  the  key  factor  for  S&T  led  growth  and competitiveness. The Government has observed National Science Day by also organizing Educational Webinars, Online symposium, secured E-Pledges and virtual public talks. Department of Science & Technology provides a token support to several states for celebrating National  Science  Day  2021  wherein  several  activities  like,  Mobile Photography (Science In Nature), Science Models,  Declamation, Oral Presentations,  educational  tours,   Poster  &  Slogan  Competitions, Science Exhibitions, Lectures on Sir C.V. Raman,   Awareness Series on  Vaccination  of  Covid-19,  Debate  on  General  Science  &  Covid-19 were conducted.

- (c)     During NSD celebrations, students and teachers were exposed to concept  and  ideas  for  Atmanirbhar  Bharat  i.e.  the  applications  of Science and Technology for 'self-reliant India' in relation to economic development, growth and creation of new jobs in the country.  Students have been encouraged for science education, research and innovation through  young  entrepreneurs/start-ups  meet  and  popular  lectures  in order to bring creativeness and imagination/ideas that can be converted into real-time research to develop new indigenous products, address problems in the society thus leading to self-reliance. Various S&T  institutes  organized  Seminars  on  Atmanirbhar  Bharat  related topics  for  societal  benefit  and  for  improving  of  the  socio-  economic conditions.  Young curious minds have been motivated to think beyond and  come  up  with  ideas  for  challenging  problems,  where    science forms the base of decision making, pursue science and research as a career option and join the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign in building a robust ecosystem.

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