OREANDA-NEWS. The First India International Science Festival (IISF) is being organized at IIT Delhi from 4th to 8th December 2015. The event is jointly being organized by the Ministries of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Govt. of India. Technology Information, Forecasting & Assessment Council (TIFAC) has been chosen as the nodal government institution to organize the mega event in collaboration with Vijnana Bharati, an NGO that works for promotion of Science & Technology.

In order to promote access and spread of knowledge to wider audience, IISF 2015 targets to involve and include commoners with a view to improve their scientific understanding, temperament and appreciation for various feats in science & technology by showcasing Indian achievements.

The objectives of IISF 2015 are as follows:

• Exposing the fruits of Science & Technology to the masses

• Building strategy to instil scientific temper among the masses

• Showcasing Indian contributions in the field of S&T over the years

• Providing platform to young scientists for exchange of knowledge & ideas

• Supporting flagship programs like Make in India, Digital India, Start-ups, Smart Villages, Smart Cities, etc. initiated by the Govt. of India

Approximately 3000 young scientists from the country are expected to participate as delegates in this Festival, which has the following components:

a) Young Scientists' Conference

b) Techno-Industrial Expo

c) Science Film Festival

d) National Level Exhibition & Project Competition (NLEPC) showcasing innovative models under ‘INSPIRE’ Programme of DST

e) Industry-Academia Conclave

f) Largest Practical Science Lab Demo

g) Interactive Workshops & Informative Sessions

The Techno-Industrial Expo associated with IISF will witness participation from major Research Organisations, Industrial Units, Technological Institutes, Laboratories, Educational Institutions, Public/private sector companies apart from Govt. Departments and Councils.

India has made invaluable contribution in generating and distributing scientific knowledge and has made many landmark scientific achievements. In the present day scenario, India has a huge number of technically qualified professionals, yet scientific temper is not absolutely evident across the nation. Hence, fostering scientific temper is considered far more relevant today than ever before. Diffusion of science and technology across the entire societal fabric shall help foster scientific temper and reinforce a rational attitude. Today we need path-breaking inventions to support flagship programs such as Make in India, Digital India, Smart Villages and Smart Cities that were initiated by the Prime Minister. Listening to the voice of young scientists from the country on the topics of relevance to our global world is considered essential to fulfil these initiatives for a better tomorrow. It is with these objectives that the 1st India International Science Festival is being organised in Delhi from 4th to 8th December 2015.

As a run-up to this event, and to inspire the general public to use green energy, Shri. Syed Sajjad Ahmed is undertaking a journey from Bangalore to Delhi by a ‘Solar-powered Car’. The journey from 1st November to 2nd December 2015 is planned from Bangalore to Delhi via Bengaluru – Hindupur – Anantapur – Kurnool – Mahaboobnagar – Hyderabad – Bhopal – Itarsi – Jhansi – Agra – New Delhi.