Roorkee, India – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee celebrated National Science Day 2024 on February 28, 2024, with a series of events aimed at promoting sustainability, responsible science, and innovation. This year’s theme of the science day was “Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat”. The annual Science Day lecture, titled “Sustainability & Responsible Science: Towards a New Social Contract,” was delivered by the Chief Guest, Padma Shri Prof. Anil Kumar Gupta, Founder of The Honey Bee Network.
Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma, Dean of Academic Affairs, in his welcome address, stressed upon the importance of science in our life. Further, he appreciated all the schools of Roorkee for their overwhelming participation in the Inter-School Science Quiz – InQUIZitive, Innovative Idea Competition, Science Exhibition, and Open House held in January 2024. Montfort School, Roorkee, won the 1st prize in the Science Quiz and Innovative Idea competitions. Mount Litra Zee School won the 1st prize in the Science Exhibition. A total of fourteen schools with 84 students participated in the Science Exhibition competition. The school children also visited Medlicott Museum, Tinkering Lab, Institute Instrumentation Centre, and the laboratories of the Department of Physics and Chemistry during the Open House. A Painting Competition on the topic “Global Science for Global Wellbeing” was organized by the Diversity and Inclusive Committee (DInC), IIT Roorkee, in collaboration with the Academic Affairs Office and NSS, IIT Roorkee. More than 50 students from 10 schools participated in the Painting competition organized by DInC, IIT Roorkee.
Prizes were distributed to the winners by the Chief Guest, Padma Shri Prof. Anil Kumar Gupta, and Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, on Science Day. A total of 60 students from various schools won awards in different categories. In his address, Prof. K. K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, advised the students to be innovative and bring their science knowledge to practice at the grassroots level. He also emphasised the holistic development of the students. Prof. Pant also highlighted the importance of fostering inquisitive young minds in developing indigenous technologies to fulfil India’s dream of becoming a developed nation. He also encouraged the youth to connect with the idea of sustainable innovation to benefit society.
Deputy Director, Prof. U. P. Singh, motivated the students in his speech, emphasizing the importance of science in our life. He also highlighted the significance of global science for global well-being.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. N. K. Navani, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (Evaluation).
The celebration of National Science Day at IIT Roorkee served as a platform to inspire and motivate young minds to explore the wonders of science and innovation, with a focus on sustainability and global well-being.