Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
National Science Day celebrated at Chandigarh University with insights from Global and Indian Science leaders
‘Spreading Education and Eradicating illiteracy will solve most of the world’s current problems’: Noble Laureate, Prof Jean-Marie Lehn
National Science Day organized at Chandigarh University
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), February 28, 2025: Education is the basic tool that imparts knowledge and it must be spread all across the world.
Governments all over the world must make efforts to spread education as most of our problems stem from illiteracy; the day illiteracy is wiped out from the face of the planet earth, most of the world’s problems will be solved, said Nobel Laureate Professor (Dr) Jean-Marie Lehn who won Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1987 during the National Science Day event organized here at Chandigarh University on Friday.
Professor Lehn said this while delivering an inspirational talk ‘Steps towards Complex Matter’ to Chandigarh University students virtually (online) during the National Science Day event on the theme of Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for Viksit Bharat.
On India’s ascent in science and technology, Nobel Laureate Professor Lehn added, “India has made significant strides in Science and Technology in recent years and Indian scientists are world renowned for their exceptional work in the field of science. In innovation also India has achieved many milestones, and I am quite impressed as educational institutions like Chandigarh University has also filed so many patents in different domains.”
On AI use, Professor Lehn said, “AI is a very powerful tool but it’s not magic and it will change many more things, one must be optimistic about it. But AI must be used ethically as its adverse use can make people vulnerable and can even trigger wars.”
Emphasizing the importance of research in students’ (learner’s) life, the Nobel Laureate Professor Lehn said, “Researcher is essentially a learner who continues his learning process forever; those who quit learning cannot be researchers. Science shapes the future of humanity and it has no borders.”
Apart from Nobel Laureate Professor (Dr) Jean-Marie Lehn, Ravi Kumar Verma and Professor Sanjay Mandal, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (ISER) Mohali presided over the event as Guest of Honours, Pritpal Singh, Executive Director, Punjab State Council of Science & Technology (PSCST), Chandigarh presided over the event as Chief Guest. Professor Manpreet Singh Manna, Vice Chancellor, Chandigarh University, Professor Devinder Singh, Pro Vice Chancellor, Chandigarh University and SS Chauhan, Director University Institute of Science (UIS) touched on various facets of science in their talks delivered during the event.
Ravi Kumar Verma, Scientist & Engineer - SF, Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Ahmedabad in an interactive session with Chandigarh University students said, “The thrust laid on scientific advancements in the last one decade after the addition of Jai Anusandhan to the popular slogan of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and Jai Vigyan has, firmly established India as a rising force in the firmament of global scientific research and innovation and catalyzing the nation’s efforts to realize the Viksit Bharat vision by 2047.”
Verma added, “Nations like USA, Russia and China are global superpowers today because they have invested heavily on Science & Technology and Innovation. As India charts its course for unprecedented scientific revolution, the youth of the nation will have to play a pivotal role in realizing the Viksit Bharat vision. It’s almost close to one century since India has produced any Nobel Laureate after CV Raman in 1930. With over 1.4 billion population we do have potential to produce more Nobel Laureates.”
Professor Sanjay Mandal, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali while delivering an inspirational talk emphasized on the importance of SWOT - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis. He also dwelt on the basics of invention and innovation and importance of getting patents for inventions.
He quoted popular scientists to explain and motivate students to develop and enhance scientific temperament.
He also emphasized the significance of observation for science students, resources (what customers want), value addition, knowledge generation, research, Edison on Innovation and discoveries in chemistry in his talk. He also touched upon various accidental inventions that caused ‘irreparable loss to humanity and environment’.”
Pritpal Singh, Executive Director, Punjab State Council of Science & Technology (PSCST), Chandigarh talked about climate change and how it is affecting the agricultural yield and other aspects of life. He emphasized the importance of active Industry-Academia engagement for skilling of youth in science.
“Many problems faced by industry can be solved by students of science if there would be active engagement of industry and academia.”
Later, winners of various science competitions and projects were given prizes and a valedictory session marked the end of the event.