The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI)
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The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) Annual Report (April 2018 – March 2019) Established: 1930 Oldest Science Academy of India; Recognised by the DST, GoI as Professional Body; and by the DSIR, GoI as the SIRO POSTAL ADDRESS The National Academy of Sciences, India 5, Lajpatrai Road, Prayagraj– 211002, India PHONE +91-532-2640224, 2441243 FAX +91-532-2641183 E-MAIL [email protected] WEBSITE http://www.nasi.nic.in http://www.nasi.org.in NASI, Allahabad is also on the FACEBOOK & TWITTER Published by the General Secretary (HQ), NASI for The National Academy of Sciences, India, Prayagraj ii “An Academy of Science can do a great deal by educating public opinion, undertaking particular problems, and bringing out scientific workers in various fields for discussion and cooperative research. But the main function of the Academy should be towards cultural improvement by contributions to human knowledge”. - Prof. Meghnad Saha on the Inaugural Session of the Academy India is justified in feeling proud for its unique contributions to science in ancient days. However, successive foreign invasions and alien rule for centuries pushed science in the background and the country went through with what may be described as the Dark Age for science. Western science attracted Indian intelligentsia after the establishment of the western system of education and the universities; and despite many constraints, the country could produce giants like Prof. Meghnad Saha, Prof. S. N. Bose, Sir J.C. Bose and Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray. The First World War and the world-wide economic depression caused a set back to scientific research globally much more so in India whose scientists found it difficult even to publish their research work since they had to be almost entirely dependent on foreign journals. The post World War India saw the rise of the freedom movement, which incidentally drew attention to the numerous problems of the Indian populace like poverty, hunger, diseases, recurrent floods, droughts, famines etc. Patriotic scientists felt deeply concerned with these. It was in this background that the idea of establishing a forum for scientists, which would help them in publishing their researches and bring them together to discuss and find scientific solutions to the problems of the country, was mooted by Prof. Meghnad Saha, a great scientist, patriot and the then Professor of Physics at the University of Allahabad in 1929. His views were published in the article entitled 'A Plea for an Academy of Sciences' in December 1929 issue of the University of Allahabad magazine. The National Academy of Sciences, India was thus established as the first Science Academy of this country in 1930. iii NASI –Envisions: The cultivation and promotion of Science & Technology in all its branches - through • organizing meetings and holding discussions on scientific and technological problems • recognition of scientific and social achievements by electing Fellows, Members, awarding Chairs, research support and promoting excellence • popularization of science among the students and communities • undertaking scientific works of public importance as may be called upon to perform • promoting scientific excellence in research by giving due recognition/awards to scientists/researchers • publication of proceedings, journals, memoirs, books and other works as considered desirable • maintaining a Library • co-operating with other Academies in India and to appoint representatives of the Academy • opening Chapters of the Academy in the country • securing endowments for the promotion of science and technology • promoting scientific and technological research/projects for societal welfare iv organizing meetings and holding discussions on scientific and recognition of scientific promoting scientific and technological problems and social achievements technological by electing Fellows, research/projects for Members, awarding societal welfare Chairs, research support and promoting excellence securing endowments for the promotion of popularization of science science and technology among the students and communities Vision & Mission undertaking scientific opening Chapters of the works of public Academy in the country importance as may be called upon to perform promoting scientific co-operating with other excellence in research by Academies in India and to giving due appoint representatives of recognition/awards to the Academy scientists/researchers publication of proceedings, journals, memoirs, books and maintaining a Library other works as considered desirable v Prof. G. Padmanaban President-NASI, Prayagraj Foreword Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome. - Arthur Ashe The announcement by the Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi (on March 27, 2019), that India has successfully tested its Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile by destroying an LEO satellite, is a true reflection of India’s successful journey in the unending space of aspirations and innovations. India has become the fourth country after the US, Russia and China in the world to achieve this historic feat. The team Mission Shakti completed this feat in just three minutes, making India's way in the space power league. NASI also have the pride of being associated with such National Missions; and several fellows of NASI are part of such prestigious moments. It is worth mentioning that Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, former President of India, and the ‘Missile Man’, was a distinguished Fellow of our Academy; Dr. K. Kasturirangan and Dr. Anil Kakodkar, the Past Presidents of NASI are intimately associated and led the prestigious missions of Space and Atomic Energy in India. As per mandate of NASI, ‘Science & Society’, enunciated by the founder President Prof. Meghnad Saha, the Academy since its inception in 1930, always focused its attention towards solving the societal problems through scientific interventions. The long list of its symposia/seminars/brainstorming, held earlier and the recommendations published as memorable volumes are the depository of such initiatives. Dr. Manju Sharma, Chair, NASI New Initiatives (after Prof. M. G. K. Menon), took several steps to organize discussions with fruitful recommendations, which gave vision to provide solutions to several societal problems. A few examples are: Technological Empowerment of Women Scientists, Entrepreneurship Development, Eradication of Malnutrition in India, Tribal Development, etc. The proceedings of such initiatives as vision documents are available on the websites of NASI. The Tribal Welfare Programmes have already gained momentum in about 21 centres spread all across the country. The year 2018-19, also witnessed several other programmes aimed towards connecting rural India to the pace of development. These were as a part of celebration of 150th Birth Anniversary of ‘Ba & Bapu’ and 125th Birth Anniversary of Prof. Meghnad Saha. The Academy organized several societal activities with emphasis on Science in different parts of the country through its 20 Local Chapters; the proceedings are to be released, just after the closing ceremony of these programmes of celebration in October 2019. vi Our endeavour to make people aware of water conservation, and use safe water, has gained strength with the establishment of the third river gallery on Cauvery at Mysuru, this year; the Vth Brainstorming on ‘Safe Water & Sanitation’, is to be organized shortly involving many stake holders including the academia and industries. Three reports on Nutritional Survey & Analysis (in collaboration with ICMR-NIN, Hyderabad) on the rural/semi-urban population of Allahabad, Hyderabad and Vadodara, published this year are repositories of the status of malnutrition, and the pragmatic approach to provide feasible solutions. Indian Science, its Competitive Strength and its Relevance to National Needs (a report by the NASI Study Group), published last year is a road-map for taking strides in the relevant field of science by our country to compete in the world scenario. The Academy also took keen interest in the national debates on Education Policy of India, Ethical Issues in Science, Publication Policies on Open Access and the CARE Group Issues, as part of its responsibility as a ‘Think Tank’ to divulge and deliver on important policy issues of the country. There are many more issues to discuss and deliberate such as Harvesting the Bio-economy, Enhancing Food Production & Security etc. The next Annual Session is aimed towards discussing these issues in detail at NAARM, Hyderabad, with the participation of many leaders of Indian science. Let us join hands to serve our motherland with devotion and dedication. Seeking your kind cooperation in all the endeavours of the Academy, With good wishes for the entire scientific fraternity- (G. Padmanaban) President, NASI vii CONTENTS Page Nos. 1. Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………… 1 2. Activities related to scientific awareness: 2.1.1 Scheduled Tribe Sub-Plan Programmes……………………………………. 6 2.1.2 Science Communication Activities …………………………………… 8 2.1.3 ―Ba & Bapu‖ Programmes on the auspicious occasion of their 150th Birth Anniversary ……………………………………………… 17 2.1.4 Celebrating 125th Birth Anniversary of Professor Meghnad Saha ……………… 19 2.1.5 National Conference on Technological Empowerment of Women………………………………………………………… 20 2.1.6 88th Annual Session and Symposium on ‗Science, Technology and Ecosystem for Sustainable Rural Development‘,………………………………..... 22 2.1.7 Prototype of the ‗Ganga-gallery‘ on ‗Parvasi Bharatya