'Science Reporting Course will be revived'
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, July 29 2016 : The Department of Science & Technology will seriously think of reviving the Science Reporting Course which the department used to conduct and has been discontinued for some time, said Uttam Chand Laishram while replying to a query during a press conference organized by DIPR at its office complex at Moirangkhom.

He also welcomed the suggestion to use the media effectively to spread scientific awareness on some of the harmful impacts of our habits and lifestyle.

Uttam Chand also assured to look at the feasibility of coming out with a directory of scientists of the State and also of the State's scientists spread across the globe.

Among the major achievements of the department, Uttam Chand listed the launching of the Manipur Science Centre at Takyelpat on May 18, 2005 with the objective of building up scientific temper among the public, especially students.

The Centre was subsequently upgraded with 3-D Science Theatre facility.

The recently added features namely the Mirror Magic Gallery, Interactive Floor and Green Chroma-Key TV Studio have proved to be very popular with the public, especially youth, said the Director.

'Science Reporting Course will be revived'

The department has also been organizing the National Children's Science Congress every year in association with the Science Teacher's Forum , Manipur from district to State level.

To popularize the study of Science subjects, Science Popularisation Awards are being presented every year to students who have scored high marks in Science and Mathematics subjects in the HSLC examinations conducted BOSEM.

The department has also been organizing Science Excursion for school students to Kolkata and Guwahati since many years.

Among some of the very important ongoing activities are the construction of an 8-metre diameter dome, 50-seat Digital Planetarium with NEC funding which is nearing completion.

The digital projector with astro- related videos and accessories will be provided by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Government of India.

The planetarium is likely to be launched in the month of September, informed the Director.

Another important achievement of the Department is the upcoming Innovation Hub at Takyelpat which is being set up under the National Innovation Council through the NCSM at a total cost of Rs 2 crore.

This is likely to be inaugurated in the month of December and will have facilities for the general public and students to take up innovative projects with workshop, fabrication infrastructure, Idea Box etc with the help of the mentors.

The Department will also set up two District Science Centres in Ukhrul and Churachandpur with the NEC, Shillong funding upto 90 per cent of the cost and the State funding the remaining 10 per cent.

The Department is also planning to set up another District Science Centre in Thoubal.

The Department has also proposed to set up Science Centre and Planetarium in every district HQs in a phased manner.

The Department of Science and Technology, Government of Manipur was set up in January 1985 with the objectives of planning, coordinating and promoting Science and Technology towards meaningful applications in various developmental programmes for achieving the socio-economic objectives of the State.

At present, the Department has 2 registered societies which are Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre (MARSAC) and Manipur Science and Technology Council (MASTEC).

MARSAC has so far completed the Integrated Land Administration and Mapping (ILMAP) project using high-resolution satellite imagery for 4 valley districts, the Space-based Information System-Decentralised Planning (SIS- DP) project using mapping at 1:10,000 scale for the whole State, Groundwater Prospects Mapping, Sericulture Mapping, Management Information System for valley districts of Manipur, North East District Resource Plan(NEDRP) etc.

Besides, it is providing mapping services to many Line Departments in the State Government.

The Plan funds for MARSAC are utilized mainly for staff salaries of which 80% is provided by State and 20% is self-generated by MARSAC.

MASTEC on the other hand, is regularly conducting various short-term activities like Science Meet, Observation of World Intellectual Property Day, National Mathematics Day, National Science Day, Millennium Science Lectures, State level Aquarium and Flower exhibition, Training on Remote Sensing, GPS and GIS, Training in Learning Science through low- cost hands-on experiments etc.

Some other achievements of Science and Technology Department is the bringing out of Smart Manipuri to English E-Dictionary (SMEED) in association with NIELIT, Imphal.

The launching of Computerised Transliteration of Manipuri from Bengali script to Meitei Mayek script.

It has also provided LED TV sets to the Government Deaf and Mute School, Takyelpat to enable students to view TV programmes and also watch videos with sub- titles.

The Department also provided mobile handsets to the students of this school to enable them to communicate with others through SMS facility.

The department has also taken up a project for producing audio- books for class-X textbooks(BOSEM syllabus) in association with experienced teachers.

The Department in association with the Department of Commerce and Industries, Manipur is the process of setting up a Biotechnology Park/Incubator in the State.

The Department is also providing financial assistance of upto Rs 80,000 to young scientists of the State in order to attend International Scientific Conferences held abroad.

For employment generation, the Department has organized Skill Development Training courses in production of plastic utility items with special training for women entrepreneurs in association with CIPET, Imphal.

The trained individuals would then produce plastic items for marketing by using the machinery at CIPET by paying nominal charges thus becoming instant entrepreneurs without purchasing any costly machinery.