PM to inaugurate Science Congress at Vizag

New Delhi, Jan 2: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the 95th Indian Science Congress at Visakhapatnam tomorrow. The five-day event will be held at Andhra University on the focal theme 'Knowledge-Based Society Using Environmentally Sustainable Science and Technology'. President Pratibha Patil will inaugurate the Children's Science Congress on January 5, held simultaneously with the main event organised by the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA).

While the Prime Minister will present awards to distinguished scientists on the opening day, the President will give awards to ISCA Young Scientists and interact with children after inaugurating the Children's Science Congress. An exhibition, 'Pride of India', showcasing the achievements in science and technology, will be held on the occasion.

The country's leading public and private sector organisations, government departments, research labs and institutions will participate in the exhibition.

During the period, several eminent scientists from India and abroad, including nobel laureates, are expected to lecture on various themes.

The thrust areas to be discussed include green technologies for addressing environmental challenges; biotechnology and bio-entrepreneurship; space technology and IT for disaster management and coastal afforestation; and nanotechnology in medicines and environment management.

The 94th Indian Science Congress was held at Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, on the theme 'Planet Earth'.

UNI