9^th Chandigarh Science Congress (CHASCON-2015) started today at Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh.

The most Prestigious Science event of Chandigarh, CHASCON is being organised on the topic of ‘Marching Ahead through Science & Technology Development’ by PU in collaboration with the Chandigarh Region Innovation and Knowledge Cluster (CRICK) institutions from February 25 to 27 at PU.

Internationally acclaimed Scientist and former Director of Indian Institute of Sciences (IISC), Bengaluru Prof Padmanabhan Balram inaugurated the three day CHASCON with a highly knowledgeable and motivating lecture.

Padma Bhushan Prof Balram spoke on the topic of “Chemistry at the Fringes of Biology”. In his lecture, Prof Balram referred the Darwin, Mendeleev, Louis Pasteur, Faraday, Benezen and their distinguished contribution in the field of science. He said that the students should be guarded while referring to the cited research and papers as the number of publications was quite huge. He said that if the published papers were put one over other, it would make the paper mountain of 6,000 meter height.

Prof Balram’s talk energised everyone in the audience.  He emphasized on the necessity for Basic science in the present world. He discussed basic molecules of life, what he called as ‘bio-molecules’ and also exemplified how these work in dexterity to give different phenomena that exist around us. He strongly advised the youngsters to read the basic papers of the  field one is in and also keep one’ s eyes open and venture into other fields.  He also reiterated on the need for the newer initiatives in academics by exemplifying on the Chemical ecology as well as systems biology multidisciplinary fields.  “For making this country a force to reckon with, the slogan for indianisation goes back to knowing the basic of the science, may it be chemistry , Physics, Biology material science etc.”, he added.

In other important reference to the ‘Make in India’ program, Prof Balram said that rare elements like Lithium, which are used for cutting edge technology, are not present in India, so the government should enter into long term agreements with other countries where these rare elements are present in abundance.   

During the inauguration Director, PEC, Prof Manoj Kumar Arora shared his views and emphasized the need for taking science to the grass root level.

PU Vice Chancellor, Prof Arun Kumar Grover welcomed all the guests and shared how this event has been shaping up through joint collaboration with CRICK institution to make this tri-city a research hub of the country.