by NR INDRAN / INT

Somaiya Vidyavihar, will host a mega science and technology fair in Mumbai between 27th and 29th January, 2012. Aptly name  Vigyan Yagnya, keeping in mind our long standing tradition and values, the event will feature exhibition-cum-competition of working models in science and technology for students from Class VI to Undergraduate Science and Engineering and Polytechnic students across Maharashtra. Dr. Vijay Joshi, Principal, K.J.Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Somaiya Vidyavihar, is co-ordinating the entire activity pertaining to Vigyan Yagnya-2012.

Announcing the launch of Vigyan Yagnya at a press conference in Mumbai, Dr. Vijay Joshi,  Principal of  K.J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce said, “Of late, applied science has caught the fancy of everyone. People do not realise that the miracles of applied science are based upon the magic of Pure Science. Pure science as a fundamental science is the root of all discoveries. In order to stimulate greater interest in Pure Science in young minds, we have planned this mega Science and Technology fair, Vigyan Yagnya 2012. In fact, we have kept the motto of the mega Science and Technology fair as “Inspire, Invent and Innovate.”

Vigyan Yagnya will be divided in four categories that will include students from Class VI to Class Xth at Junior level, Intermediate category for 11th and 12th standard students of Junior Colleges while Senior category will include undergraduate and postgraduate science students, and the Engineering Category will have undergraduate Engineering and Polytechnic students participate in the event.

The last date to receive entries is 15th January, 2012. Winners from each category will be awarded cash prizes worth Rs One Lakh each.

Most schools and colleges eligible for participation across Maharashtra have already been informed of Vigyan Yagnya. After the elimination rounds, more than 100 projects in each of the above categories will be displayed around 50,000 square feet superstructure at the sprawling Somaiya Maidan in the heart of Mumbai on Eastern Express Highway at Sion.

Adds Principal Joshi, “The objective behind Vigyan Yagnya 2012 is to encourage students by stimulating their interest in pure science and engineering by providing a platform for showcasing and getting recognition of their innovative research knowledge, ability and achievement and give them an opportunity to have  quality interactions with judges as an  educational experience.” Dr Joshi also mentioned that Vigyan Yagnya is envisaged to become an annual feature in Mumbai’s calendar of events.

In addition to 400 selected exhibits of Science projects, Vigyan Yagnya will also host a Science Expo where major research organisations in India such as TIFR, DAE, BARC, CIFE, NIO, BNHS, HBSE, NEERI will showcase their achievements and present opportunities for young budding scientists. TIFR team in its “outreach programme” will organize, “Thunda” meaning use of Liquid Nitrogen on all the three days i.e. (27th, 28th and 29th January, 2012), “Wonderful Lab called Home” on 28th January, and “Colourful World called Exploring the Colours of Science” on the 29th January, 2012. Somaiya Vidyavihar will also invite a thematic lecture by an eminent scientist on each day of the exhibition. Sponsors will be allowed to display consumer technology for the visitors. “We will also have 50 high powered telescopes for night sky observation with mobile planetarium under Sky Gazing,” Prof.S.K.Saxena and his team will co-ordinate these activities.

Vigyan Yagnya 2012 will be monitored by an Advisory Committee whose members include Dr. Devang Khakhar, Director, IIT Bombay, Dr. G.D. Yadav, Vice Chancellor, Institute of Chemical technology, Dr. J.J. Rawal, Director, Indian Planetary Society, Dr. Ajay Dhar Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Dr. Anurag Gupta of BARC, Prof. S.C. Agarkar, Dr.B.N.Ganguli, Research Advisor, Somaiya Vidyavihar and Pravin Pathak of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, along with Umesh Rastogi from Nehru Science Centre, Dr. A.D. Yadav, Department of Physics, University of Mumbai and Dr. Rajiv Chitnis, Marathi Vigyan Parishad.

According to Dr. Joshi, Vigyan Yagnya will gradually aim to include students from all across India.

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