Jawaharlal Nehru, G D Birla to decorate Hall of Pride

Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu), Jan 2: Late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and renowned industrialist Ghanshyam Das Birla will decorate the 'Hall of Pride' at the 94th Indian Science Congress, beginning here tomorrow.

The Hall of Pride was a mammoth 6,000 sqft area having displayed, rare photographs and audio visual and static models, besides showcasing the life and achievements of the two great personalities as an inspiration for thousands of students visiting the show.

While the late Prime Minister propagated science and technology, Mr Birla promoted industry and technical education. Pandit Nehru was the general President of the Indian Science Congress 60 years ago in 1947 - the only non-scientist to hold that position. He strongly believed that science would play a significant role in building modern India.

The Chidambaram Hall of Pride would be the fifth after the Science Congress authorities decided to induct two personalities - one from the scientific fraternity and another from industry each year. The personalities were selected on the basis of contribution and commitment to the growth of India in general, and science and technology in particular.

The first Hall of Pride was dedicated to the nation by former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee at the Bangalore Science Congress, when ISRO Chairman K Kasturirangan was the general president.

With the inaugural honours going to Dr Vikram Sarabhai and Dhirubhai Ambani in 2003, others to be inducted into the Hall of Pride were Dr Homi Bhabha and JRD Tata in 2004, Dr Raja Ramanna and Kasturbhai Lalbhai in 2005 and Dr M S Swaminathan and Y C Deveshwar in 2006.

Hall of Pride was a part of the Pride of India science exposition that had emerged as a unique platform for India's top notch organisations both in private and public sectors to showcase their achievements in the field of science and technology.

The theme pavilion this year would focus on optimum energy use and highlight prime energy reinforcement process that energy use and conservation were both balanced in the years to come for life on earth. More than 100 exhibitors would showcase their achievements.

UNI