With the celebration of the “Children Science Congress”
and “National Science day”, the three day Chandigarh Science Congress (CHASCON)
concluded on the Panjab University campus, coinciding with the Science Day today when
celebrated scientist C.V. Raman discovered the ‘Raman Effects’, of which its 83rd
anniversary today.  

    Addressing a large gathering of school students, the Vice-Chancellor,
Prof R.C. Sobti elucidated the value system of the Indian culture. Making several
references to the development of science and technology in ancient India, he motivated
the students not to become a slave of the technology, which is only facilitative, and
emphasized the need to revive the scientific culture that was a part of the Indian
heritage.  It may be mentioned here that the event is the brainchild of Professor R.C.
Sobti who launched it five years ago to make it an annual affair.

    

    Prof. I.G.S. Bansal, former President, Punjab Academy of Sciences, delivered
the presidential address and highlighted the achievements of the academy.

    The chief guest for the function, Mr Virender Mohan Trehan, an entrepreneur,
social activist and founder member of Delhi Chapter of Indian Science Congress
Association, encouraged students to take up social and basic sciences as well, besides
Engineering and Technology. Prof Arvind Kumar from IISER, in a very interactive talk
spoke about the subtleties of quantum physics and tried to explain the students the
difference between classical and quantum physics. Prof. R.K. Jethy, head of the
Biotechnology department, Ambala College of engineering, talked about the applications
of enzymes on human health.

    As part of the Science Day celebration, the CSIO, CFSL and CIL opened their
labs for students to visit. Around 120 students visited these labs and got first hand
information about the latest technologies and research going on in these labs.

    To encourage the innovative ideas and creativity of students, a project
competition was held on February 27, wherein 14 teams presented their proposals on the
focal theme of the congress.  Prof R.P. Bambah, former Vice-Chancellor, Panjab
University and Prof S. V. Kesar, Prof Emeritus, department of Chemistry, Panjab
University (PU) graced the occasion and honored the project evaluation panel experts
from industry and academics.

    A panel discussion on the theme of “strengthening industry – institute
partnership for sustainable green communities” was held in which, Mr Dalip Kumar,
Regional director of Ph.D. Chamber, Mr Prateek Kishore from DRDO, Mr Rahul Singla,
Managing Director of SBMC, Mr Rajiv Ailawadi, DGM BEL, Prof S.K. Chadda from
University Business School (UBS) department of PU, Prof A.S. Ahluwalia, dean, science
faculty and Prof. I.S. Dua from Botany department participated. The panelists stressed
on the need of modification in the curricula to meet the requirements of industry and
also for undertaking joint projects in collaboration with the industry.

    Later Prof B.S. Bhoop read out the CHASCON report, wherein he mentioned that
around 340 papers and posters were presented in the congress.  Around 53 medals and
prizes were given for the best poster, best oral paper presentation and best project
presentation in  the categories of undergraduate, post graduate students and research
scholars in each of the sections i.e. physical sciences, life sciences, engineering
sciences, mathematical sciences, social sciences, pharmaceutical and medical sciences,
and environmental, public health and forensic sciences.

    In his valedictory remarks, Prof Sobti appreciated the efforts of students and
faculty in organizing and making CHASCON-2011 a successful affair.  He also promised
that the university will fund the viable projects of the students. The session ended
with a vote of thanks by Prof Renu Vig, Director, University Institute of Engineering
and Technology and the organizing secretary for the congress.