By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun 22 Dec: On the occasion of the inauguration of the 31st State Children’s Science Congress – 2023, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told students and teachers from 13 districts of Uttarakhand through a video message that it is very important for science and technology to reach the common people because new technologies are constantly being developed. “We are using new technologies, but with the understanding of science we will be able to use technology in a better way,” he asserted. “Considering the pace at which the country is progressing today, it is very important that scientific thinking develops in every child, this is also our objective,” Dhami declared. “There is immense potential for work in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, tourism, energy and environment in our state, but it is important that we create a model of development in the state by coordinating economy and ecology. We all know that we have a wealth of traditional knowledge, which needs to be utilised well and there is a need to work faster towards new livelihood options and environmental protection. Special attention is being given to research, research and innovation in the state because in today’s era it is not possible to envisage development without all these.”
UCOST Director General Prof Durgesh Pant welcomed and congratulated all the child scientists, guidance teachers and school coordinators from all the 95 blocks of Uttarakhand in the Himalayan state at the state level 31st State Children’s Science Congress.
He said that, this year, more than 130 child scientists and about 50 guiding teachers are participating in the State Level Children’s Science Congress and who are participating in various sub-themes under this year’s theme “Understanding the Ecosystem for Health and Wellness”. He said that it is a matter of great pride that they are continuously trying to connect the students of the state directly with science through various programmes.
In the inaugural session, the quarterly magazine Science Discussion ‘Himalaya Special Section’ published by UCOST was also released. On this occasion, Kamla Pant, GS Rautela, Advisor, Science City, DP Uniyal, Joint Director, UCOST, and all the officers and employees of UCOST were present.
Banshidhar Tiwari, Director General, Education and Information, was present as the Chief Guest in the concluding session. He inspired all the students and child scientists from across the state to awaken scientific consciousness in the society. Congratulated the 16 students awarded in the state level 31st National Children’s Science Congress and inspired other students to work hard in the future to bring glory to themselves and the state across the country.
Under the focal theme ‘Understanding the Ecosystem for Health and Wellness’, 16 child scientists were awarded in various sub-themes and selected for the National Level Children’s Science Congress.
The first sub-topic was: Know your dependants – Yutika Jheegwan, Gopeshwar Chamoli were first, Nitika Aswal, Barkot Uttarkashi, second, and Ritika, Ukhimath Rudraprayag, third. In the second topic: Promoting health, nutrition and well-being, the first place was taken by Princi Pandey, Joshimath, second by Isha Negi Kandikhal Tehri, and third, Hema Bhandari Takula, Almora.
In the third topic, Ecosystem-based approach to self-reliance’, Nikhil Pandey, Moonakot Pithoragarh was first, Riddhi Gupta, Udham Singh Nagar, was second, while Aaradhya Pant, Champawat, was third. In the fourth topic, Social and cultural practices for ecosystem and health, Himanshi Rana Udham Singh Nagar was first, Shivang Saklani, Tehri Garhwal, second, and Nikita, Chamoli, third. In the fifth topic, Technological innovations for health and wellness, Akash Dhyani, Pauri Garhwal’, Rafia, Haldwani, was second, and Akshat Giri, Haldwani, was third.
In Know Your Ecosystem, Shuhani Dhanyadriyal, Pauri Garhwal, etc., were awarded.
Also, experts presented their views on NASI Lecture Series and National Mathematics Day.
