Imphal, March 28: Governor Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu, who is also the Chief Rector of Manipur University today inaugurated the 11th manipur Science Congress at the MU Centenary Hall.

The Science Congress being hosted by School of Science MU under the theme 'Science and Technology for Sustainable Development' will continue till march 30. Vice chancellor of the University Prof C Amuba Singh presided the inaugural session while director of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Prof Vikash Singha with reference to the programme theme elucidated on the phenomena of 'cosmic journey: big bang to now'.

According warm welcome to the delegates, especially from outside the state, the Governor in his address as the chief guest stressed on continuous endeavour towards bringing social equality and improving the quality of life.

Highlighting on the pressing need for harnessing knowledge of science and technology in solving ever increasing need of a vast country like India without compromising on the inevitability of joining race for global knowledge, Dr Sidhu said particular emphasis should be on solving the pressing issue of mankind relating to health, food and nutrition, shelter, etc, besides infrastructure like energy, transportation and communications.

While elaborating on positive impact advancement in science and technology had brought to all aspects of human endeavours, he reminded that challenges still lie ahead to fend human kind from natural adversities and rapidly changing global environment.

The Governor also expressed grim concern over human advancement gradually snipping at natural resources and causing disturbances to ecological balance further suggested 'it is imperative that methods and ways need to be found out to manage our resources in a more sustainable way'.

With reference to the expanding human habitation putting mankind in an imperious situation, the chief guest highlighted that necessity of to educate man about the human need and its impact on the biosphere for which a massive campaign of awareness and action is called for before it is too late.

Regarding huge natural resources blessed to the North Eastern region and suggesting its purposeful tapping, he stressed on the necessity to frame relevant laws so as to ensure sustainable harvesting and culture of the abundance.

Insisting that traditional knowledge too need to be preserved inspite of rapid advancement in contemporary science and technology, he cautioned that failure to understand the inherent relationship between modernity and age old traditional methods of conservation of environment would only aggravate the situation from the ecological point of view.

Strongly prescribing that utmost effort should be made to ensure development in science and technology reaches and benefits people living in far and remote corner of the country, he said "for a better tomorrow, we have to tap the knowledge of science to our advantage".

"This Congress would provide a platform to scientists, experts and scholars to have a valuable exchange of scientific information among themselves.

The young scientists will also have the opportunity to interact so that the vision of all is widened," added the Governor.

Comment