By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, NOV 17, 2023: UNION Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh, yesterday said, India's global supremacy will be determined by its scientific prowess.

He said that the recent twin achievements of Chandrayaan-3 and Covid vaccine have placed India's scientific community at par with international benchmarks.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh was briefing the media about the upcoming 9th India International Science Festival (IISF) - 2023 to be held in Faridabad in January 2024.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, in the last over 9 years under the Government headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, scientific breakthroughs have been used to bring 'Ease of Living' for the common man.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, IISF is an outreach festival for those who could get benefitted by Science, Technology and Innovation. The role of science & technology has permeated in every aspect of our lives as almost all Ministries and Departments are having STI applications for sectoral development, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, whether it is the Roads, Railways, Smart City project, Telemedicine, Deep Sea Exploration, Ground Water Mapping, Crop Imaging, the applications of S&T are quite visible to all.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Science Festival will be celebrated at three levels, - first, the number of success stories which are of global implications, will be shared with key stakeholders like Startups, Industry bodies, Innovators, Researchers, Students and scientific community from India and abroad; second, we are at the same page now in major global scientific breakthroughs as the National Quantum Mission recently announced, is having the R&D with an elite league of six other countries.

The Third reason mentioned by the S&T Minister is that India has set an example before the world that scientific research is meant for development purposes and more so, in the last almost ten years, almost all the Flagship Schemes have the footprint of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Speaking on the occasion, Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood said that IISF will kindle the spirit of entrepreneurship in our young people and will provide an opportunity to showcase the marvels of science around us through exhibitions and Startup conclave.

Secretary, DST, Dr Abhay Karandikar said that more than 10,000 school children will participate in IISF, apart from 500 young researchers who will deliberate on new initiatives and cutting edge technologies. More than 100 Startups will exhibit their achievements and it is expected that over 12,000 delegates will be part of this grand event.

The 9 th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 will be held at Faridabad, Haryana from January 17th -20th, 2024.

India's mega Science Fair will be held at the Campus of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) of Department of Biotechnology in Faridabad.

The theme of the present edition is 'Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal'. IISF 2023 aims to provide a platform for inspiring the public at large and individuals with diverse levels of interests like students, educators, scientists, researchers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs and science communicators.

IISF 2023 will have a total of 17 themes to showcase scientific achievements offering diverse benefits to participants and the general public.

During the IISF-2023, IISF Challenge will be a unique event wherein a new record will be created and put up at global level as a challenge. This year nearly 500 Satellites (WeMoSat) will be developed by the team of two students from Class 9th. All such meteorological satellites will measure pressure, temperature, humidity etc. upto the height of 200 meter. All the assembled satellites will be taken to such height by paramotor.

Nearly 100 women scientists and successful entrepreneurs will participate in the festival and will showcase their achievements and successful stories among the delegates. Besides, nearly 40 to 50 international experts are likely to visit the festival and will deliver talks and interact with various stakeholders for the possible collaboration in various streams of S&T.