3-day 'Avishkar' in Nagpur from Feb 15

Mumbai, Feb 13 (UNI) Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna, who is also Chancellor of universities in the State, will inaugurate ''Avishkar'', a three-day Inter University Research Festival at Nagpur on February 15.

Addressing a joint press conference here today, secretary to the Governor, Sitaram Kunte, Nagpur University Vice Chancellor Dr S N Pathan and Mumbai University Pro Vice Chancellor A D Sawant said that the event, being hosted for the first time, will be held at the Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University.

The Festival is aimed at providing a proper forum to students to showcase their creative talent. The research work of the students will be reviewed and assessed by experts, and awards will be presented.

''Avishkar'', the brainchild of Mr Krishna himself, is an altogether different festival, catering to the academic needs of the students, Mr Kunte and Dr Pathan said.

It is aimed at inculcating a ''research culture'' among students right from the undergraduate level. The Governor feels that such type of activity is essential in the era of intellectual property rights and patenting of research, they added.

The Governor has also urged vice chancellors of various universities to identify potential researchers among students and provide them proper infrastructure, they said.

Incidentally, two other festivals -- ''Ashwamedh'' and ''Indradhanushya'' -- too had been initiated by past governors.

''Ashwamedh'' is an Inter University Sports Festival while ''Indradhanushya'' is an Inter University Cultural Festival.

''Avishkar'' is aimed at encouraging research not only in science and technology but also in humanities, languages, fine arts, commerce, management, law, agriculture and animal husbandry, engineering, medicine and pharmacy.

Students from all 19 universities, including agricultural universities, from across the state will participate in the festival.

UNI