28 Feb 2013|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
"India’s R&D investment should be increased to 2% of GDP in order to step up Science, Technology, Innovation and Research initiatives in the country” says Dr. Subodh Mahanti, Scientist ‘G’, Vigyan Prasar during “SCIENCE DAY” celebrations at Amity
Amity Science, Technology & Innovation Foundation (ASTIF) celebrated “SCIENCE DAY” at Amity University, Sector- 125, Noida to remember great Scientist Mr. C V Raman, his brilliant discovery and to promote Science and R&D culture amongst Amity students.
February 28th is celebrated as National Science Day all over the country, commemorating the discovery of the Raman Effect by C.V. Raman, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
Welcoming the august speaker and addressing the gathering, Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group announced the launch of Amity Science Club which will work towards the promotion of Science in the country, especially amidst the youth. Dr. Chauhan revealed that Amity Science Club would create a synergy of best brains in R&D and empower them with best infrastructure and equipments to pursue high end research which can be commercialized and utilized for the benefit of the society and country. Dr. Chauhan applauded the great research work being carried out by the Scientists and Researchers of India and called upon them to accelerate the quantity and quantity of research work being done by them.
Delivering a lecture on “Why should we practice Science” during the occasion, Dr. Subodh Mahanti, Scientist ‘G’, Vigyan Prasar lamented the plummeting number of brilliant scientists, Nobel Prize winners and exceptional research works being produced from India. Sharing few facts, Dr. Mahanti said, “Global investment in Science, Technology, Innovation and Research is 1.2 trillion US dollars whereas India’s R&D investment is less than 2.5% of the global investment. Currently, 1% of GDP in India is spent on R&D which should be increased to 2%. The R&D investment in private sector has grown by 250%. The Indian contribution by global research publications have increased from 1. 8% in 2001 to 3.5% in 2011 at the same time, India’s contribution to the total papers published in the top 1% journals across the globe is only 1%.”
Dr. Mahanti remarked, “Though Nobel Prizes are just symbolic and are not the only yardsticks to measure the efficacy of Indian R&D, but surely one of the important yardsticks. Hunger for knowledge and learning and love for Science should be there in all the human beings. Today, society has become totally dependant on Science but there is a Paradox- number of Scientists and Engineers are getting lesser. The interest in basic sciences is diminishing at all levels, particularly noteworthy is the lukewarm interest shown towards the Science by bright students at high school level in developed as well as developing nations. This trend requires urgent attention.”
Talking about the importance of Science, Dr. Mahanti stressed “the pure Science that has become the main stay of our civilization is the natural extension of age old and continuing efforts of the human to understand the mysteries of the nature. We are all intrigued by the questions posed by nature. Since its beginning, Science has endeavored to answer these questions; it is a continuous and endless process. In the process of finding solutions to the problems posed by nature, scientists discovered new things. For science to serve as a powerful factor in our national development, it should be vigorously practiced. The creation of new scientific knowledge rests on those who understand the fundamentals laws of the nature and are skilled in scientific research.”
During the celebrations, a film on “Life of Sir C.V. Raman” was also screened.
Also present during the occasion were Dr. A.L. Verma, Advisor, Science & Technology Research who shared his views on “Recent Advances in Laser Raman Spectroscopy”, Dr. R.P. Singh-Vice Chairman, Amity Science, Technology & Innovation Foundation (ASTIF) who briefed the gathering with the importance of “Science Day’ & Sir C.V. Raman’s Discovery”.