Faridabad: The ninth edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) concluded with a grand closing ceremony at A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Hall, featuring Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana, as the Chief Guest. During the ceremony, an announcement was made regarding the establishment of a cutting-edge “Science City” in Faridabad, Haryana, underlining the commitment to advancing scientific endeavors.
The mega science expo, a highlight of the IISF, witnessed a visit from Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Science & Technology, on its inaugural day. Shri Khattar graced the closing ceremony, emphasizing the significance of promoting science and technology.
Over 100 stalls were set up at the expo, showcasing remarkable innovations and advancements. Private organizations contributed 20 stalls, while government entities, including renowned institutions like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), and Department of Science and Technology (DST), and its autonomous bodies, occupied more than 80 stalls.
Reflecting the theme of “Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal,” the displays demonstrated India’s contemporary standing in the realm of Science and Technology. The exposition attracted over 1 lakh visitors, showcasing the nation’s youthful and enthusiastic spirit towards achieving scientific excellence.
One of the standout exhibits was a model of the Ram Mandir, featuring a unique design with the “Surya Tilak,” showcasing the scientific expertise involved in the monument’s construction. This design was crafted by the CSIR lab, Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), located in Roorkee, Uttarakhand. Another noteworthy display, “Pollution-Free Viksit Gaon, Viksit Bharat,” presented a vision for a sustainable and developed rural community contributing to India’s overall progress—an initiative by CSIR.
The National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), showcased its achievements, including “ADVIKA,” a novel, superior drought-tolerant, climate-smart chickpea variety.
The expo also featured several awards under different categories, recognizing outstanding participants. Notable winners included Raman Research Institute (RRI) for the Best Conceptual Pavilion, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Best Technology Pavilion, and National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) for the Best Interactive Pavilion.
In the prestigious category of the Best Pavilion in the Expo, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) secured the first position, followed by the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Science and Technology receiving the second and third prizes, respectively.
The IISF 2023 not only celebrated the achievements in the field of science but also marked the commitment towards fostering innovation and scientific exploration across the nation.