Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh (November 11) celebrated the National Education Day by organizing a seminar on ‘Science and Society’. 11 November has been declared National Education Day by Government of India today on the birth date of Sh Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister in Independent India. On the occasion, Prof Nandita Shukla Singh, Department of Education gave a comprehensive presentation on the Life and Works of Maulana Azad and Prof D V S jain, Prof Emeritus & INSA honorary scientist at Department of Chemistry gave a talk on Science and Society. The guest of honour was Prof Madhu Raka, Dean University Instruction, PU. An essay competition on Science and Society for students was also organized on the occasion.

Prof Nandita highlighted the persistent efforts of Maulana Azad for giving independent India its present structure of inclusive and secular education. Prof Jain gave a lucid account of human progress outlining the responsibilities of society towards scientific progress and vice-versa. The seminar provided an opportunity at stock taking of educational and scientific progress, responsibilities of society towards decisions related to educational and scientific outcome and future of relationship between science and society. The DUI drew attention towards the present competition based education and its pit falls in the back drop of vision of education of Sh Maulana Azad.

The seminar was coordinated by Prof Tankeshwar Kumar, Director of Computer Centre. It was attended by faculty and research scholars of the University.