The Dibrugarh District Organising Committee of the National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) in association with Dibrugarh University hosted the Twenty Fourth State Level National Children’s Science Congress at the University campus from 13th to 16th October, 2016.
The four day conclave was supported by the District Administration, Dibrugarh. Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), Guwahati, the state organiser and the programme sponsored and catalysed by National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Deppartment of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi and Deppartment of Science and Technology, Government of Assam. Pilgrimage and NCSC, Dibrugarh is associated with the event as coordinating agency.
More than 300 budding child scientists along with their mentor teachers representing all the districts of Assam participated in showcasing their innovative projects and ideas in various.
The focal theme for NCSC 2016 was ‘Science Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development: With special emphasis on accessibility for persons with disabilities’. The sub themes were: Natural Resource Management; Food and Agriculture; Energy; Healthy, Hygiene and Sanitation; Lifestyle and Livelihood; Disaster Management and Traditional Knowledge System.
Some of the important highlights of the programme were the Book Fair and Science Exhibition, Display and presentation of the child scientists’ projects, Interaction and Video Conferencing with Scientists’ and Science Academicians, Visit to the University Laboratories, Learning Science with fun activities, Quiz, cultural events, sight-seeing etc..
The four day conclave was inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam. In his address he stated that science is not limited for the intellectuals but its significance lies in how science is applied in regular life in the civil society .
Also present in the august gathering were Shri Keshab Mahanta, Minister for Water Resource, Science and Technology and Information Technology, Laya Madurri, Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh, Professor Alak Kr. Buragohain, Vice Chancellor, Dibrugarh University,Dr. Arup Mishra, Director, ASTEC, Sri Prasanta Phukan, MLA, Dibrugarh, Sri Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, M.P. Jorhat, Sri Shokhro Gogoi, MLA Moran.
Technical sessions were being held at the Department of Education, DibrugarhUniversity with budding children scientists participating from various districts of Assam, showcasing their talents by presenting their outstanding projects on various local and general issues.
An interaction session was conducted with Mr.Arman Ali, Chief Executive Ofiicer, Shishu Sarothi Assam. He spoke on the participation of differently-able children and how science can be incorporated in creating innovative solutions to improve accessibility for all differently able individuals.
Later in the evening there will be more interactive sessions with eminent scientists as well as a video conferencing with Professor Achintya Narayan Bezbarua, North Dakota University, USA.
On the fourth day the valedictory session started at 11.30. pm where Prof. Alak Kr Buragohain, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Dibrugarh University, Prof. M.N.Dutta, Registrar, Dibrugarh University, Dr.Arup Kumar Mishra, Director, ASTEC, Ramen Gogoi, State Co-ordinator, NCSC, Joydeep Barua, Working President, NCSC, Prof Deba Pallab Rajkhowa, President, Pilgrimage, Prasanta Rajguru, State Academic Coordinator, NCSC were present.
Prof. Alak Kr Buragohain, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Dibrugarh University during the valedictory commented that Science cannot be limited to classrooms and textbooks, one should develop their own perspective by observing and analysing their surroundings which can be relatable to science. he also encouraged the students to read autobiographies of scientists to understand their struggle, works and though process and can get motivated and inspired.
Dr. Arup Kumar Mishra, President ASTEC stated that compared to the previous state level NCSC, the current NCSC has seen an increase in students participation from rural areas of various districts. ASTEC is an organising that links the society with science and helps in developing scientific temperament among the citizens. Every citizen should apply this scientific temperament to make the society a better place to live in. He also assured the gathering that ASTEC will include all the schools of state to increase this scientific temperament.
As part of the conclave the respective districts were asked to publish souvenirs' following which the best souvenirs were chosen by the panel and Prof. Jiten Hazarika, Dean of Students Affairs, Dibrugarh University declared the results for the same. District of Jorhat won the best souvenir, District of Dibrugarh and Hailakandi won the first and second runners up respectively.
District Tinsukia won the best organising district, District of Jorhat won the best academic district.
26 projects were selected which will be represented at the National Children's Science Congress, Varanasi. The projects were selected on the following criteria: age group, gender, area of representation and language.
Two projects have been exclusively selected for the Indian Science Congress which will be held in Maharashtra during January 2017. One of the projects are on Preservation technique of Potato destroying Moth without hampering the environment form the district of Lakhimpur and A model for multiple utilisation of energy in domestic kitchen from the district of Nagaon.
