Beware of greenwash! Be aware of 'Green'

Going Green has become in thing these days. A new vocabulary where green is used as an adjective as well as a verb to show compassion to environment has emerged. It represents a wide and loosely defined spectrum of thought, attitude, philosophy and practice centered around the concern for the environment. We have green resources, products and processes like green energy, green buildings, green agriculture, green transport, green cities, green electronics, green computing, green chemistry, green pharmaceuticals, green fabrics to name a few.

Any product or process is ‘green’ if the emission of carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas is minimal during its fabrication and usage, it has consumed minimum of non renewable resources including energy and water, it has been made of recycled materials, it is recyclable after its useful life, it has utilized local resources, it respects other forms of life during its formation, usage and disposal. Going by this definition, there are shades of ‘green’ or degree of greenness. Getting completely green product or process is a mirage. A glossary of common green vocabulary is as follows.

A green economy is one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. The three pillars of a green economy are reduction in carbon emissions, improvement in resource efficiency and social equity.

Employment in low carbon sector is termed as green jobs.

Green sources of energy are those which are relatively free from the emissions of Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. The emission of carbon dioxide is negligible for renewable sources of energy like hydro, wind or Solar as well as for Nuclear energy.  It is however to be noted that renewable sources of energy are not fully green. The devices and technologies like water turbine, wind electric generator, solar cells etc. which are used to harness renewable energy, consume lots of conventional energy while fabrication and installation. This is known as their embodied energy. They become green only when they payback this energy. The issue of hazardous wastes makes Nuclear energy less green.

A green building depletes the natural resources to a minimum during its construction and operation. Green architecture is a wide ranging concept including solar passive design to minimize HVAC load, utilization of building materials having low embodied energy, recycled material and efficient water, waste and energy management during entire useful life of the building.

Green transport encompasses improving public transport system, running trains and other vehicles on biodiesel and ethanol, promotion of solar cars and battery operated vehicles and promotion of non-motorized transport like pedal bicycles. The ultimate green transport could be vehicles run on hydrogen as it produces water on combustion instead of carbon dioxide. 

Green buildings and green transport leads to green cities. The main features of a green city are that each house is to be built or retrofitted on solar passive concepts, is to be provided with solar water heaters, has  renewable energy based power generation plants, harvests rainwater, resorts to wastewater recycling etc. A green city has well developed rapid mass transport system and cycling and pedestrian tracks. The green city also has efficient waste collection and utilization system. The waste is segregated as biodegradable, non-biodegradable and toxic at household level and collected and disposed or reused likewise.

Green agriculture focuses on no-till farming, organic fertilizers, natural pesticides, rain water harvesting and drip irrigation.

Green Chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. It is an emerging philosophy which aims to protect environment by inventing new chemical processes that do not pollute. Anastas and Warner have proposed twelve principles of Green Chemistry which are now seen as a precursor to clean and green Pharmaceuticals.

Green engineering could be thought of as the transformation of existing engineering disciplines and practices to those that lead to sustainability The basic principles of green engineering include life cycle thinking in designing engineering products, minimization of depletion of resources including energy, proper handling of waste etc.

Green technology is intended to solve some of the environmental problem or at least should perform better than alternative ‘nongreen’ technologies. Nanotechnologies for providing energy, clean water and a good environment in a sustainable way are termed as Green nanotechnology.

Green electronics means design of energy efficient, safer electronic products with longer lifespan and recyclability potential.

Green washing is the practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service, technology or company practice. So beware of green wash.

Olympiad and National Standard Examinations in Sciences

Dr. Seemin Rubab (Life Member IAPT)

ask _rubab@yahoo.co.in

           

Olympiads are internationally recognised competitions in various fields of knowledge. These are the highest level examinations and are hosted by different countries every year.

Participation in any of these Olympiads has worldwide recognition and is considered as a great achievement. Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, TIFR is the nodal centre of the country for Olympiad programmes in mathematics and sciences including astronomy. The programmes aim at promoting excellence in science and mathematics among pre-university students and selecting teams of students to represent India at the International Olympiads in these subjects.  The Olympiad in Junior Science has been added from the year 2008. The programme is financially supported by Board of research in Nuclear Science of Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Space and Ministry of Human Resource Development. National Standard Examinations (NSE) in Sciences is the first stage of selection of students in the Science Olympiad Programme which is organised by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) in collaboration with HBCSE. Every student aspiring to go through successive stages of the programme must enroll for NSE. NSEs will be held at a large number of centres in the country.

The Olympiads are conducted by Indian Association of Physics Teachers every year as per the following five stages: 

           

Stage I             National Standard Examination in the subject (NSEP, NSEC, NSEB, NSEA and NSEJS)

Stage II           Indian National Olympiad in the subject          (INPhO,INChO,INBO,                                  

                                                                                                    INAO,INJSO)

Stage III          Orientation cum selection camp

Stage IV          Pre-departure training camp

Stage V           Participation in International Olympiad

Stage I competition is conducted by Indian Association of Physics Teachers in different parts of the country generally in the month of November every year. This competition has CBSE Class XII syllabus standard level. All the remaining stages are organized by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai.

The exam schedule for the  is as follows:

Date of NSE : Last Sunday of  November 

Physics (NSEP)                 9:30 to 11:30 A.M.

Chemistry (NSEC)          12:30 to 2:30 P.M.

Biology (NSEB)             3:00 to 5:00 P.M.

Astronomy (NSEA)        3:00 to 5:00 P.M.

Junior Science (NSEJS) 3:00 to 5:00 P.M..

Last Date for Enrolment: 15 September 

Eligiblility

Science students studying in class XI or class XII   are eligible to take part in these competitions.  Those who have already passed class XII examination are not eligible.  For National Standard Examination in Junior Science, students of class X or lower classes and born on or after July 1998 are eligible. The detail information and students brochure is available on www.iapt.org.in

Mode of Application

Any student can apply through his/ her school for participation in any one of these Olympiads.  The Principal/ Senior Faculty Coordinator in the subject may contact IAPT office at Pune and get the institution registered for the conduct of examination after  completing necessary formalities. The information about forthcoming National Standard Examinations and Olympiads is  available on website of IAPT. The Registration form for applying to IAPT, Pune office is also available on this website.

Examination Fee

Examination fee of Rs. 100/- per student per subject is to be paid only to the Coordinator in the school desiring to enroll itself as a centre. In no case, the fee is to be sent to CBSE or IAPT.  Any further information with regard to the Olympiad can be had from

           

            Prof. M.L Ogalapurkar

            NSE Co-ordinator

            I.A.P.T Office, I.I.E Campus

            128/2, J.P Naik Marg, Kothrud

            Pune – 411 038

            Maharashtra

            Tel (Off.) 020-25420163;    email iapt@vsnl.net

           

Format of Examination

 Set of last four years’ question papers with answers/solutions (in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Astronomy) is available. It can be obtained by sending a DD of Rs. 100/- in favour of “IAPT”, payable at Pune, to IAPT office and set will be dispatched by Regd. Post / Courier. Applicants are advised to write their name and complete postal address.
A set of last four years’ question papers with answers/solutions (in Junior Science) is also available. It can be obtained by sending a DD of Rs. 50/- in favour of “IAPT”, payable at Pune.

Registration of Schools as Examination Centres

The IAPT website displays details of the centres which were registered previous year.  This may be of help to candidates in locating the centre nearest to their residence and in enrolling their name at the centre by paying the required fee.  If any school/ College wants to get itself registered for the first time, the form for the Registration can be downloaded from IAPT site and sent to IAPT office, Pune at the above address. Any further information can also be had from IAPT Examination office by sending a self addressed envelope (25cmX10cm) with Rs.5/- stamp affixed  to it.

For students of Kashmir valley, one of the centres is department of Chemistry, university of Kashmir. Dr Altaf Pandith of the department may be contacted for the purpose.

Incentives for participants

Top 10 % at each centre:         Certificate

Top 1% at state level:              Merit Certificate

Top 1% nation-wide:              Special Merit Certificate and Book

Gold Medals are awarded to the Top 35 students  from INPhO, INChO and INBO examinations.

Merit-wise top 300 students will be called for the Indian National Olympiad in respective subjects. About 35 students selected on the basis of their performance at the National Olympiads will be eligible for the respective Orientation cum selection Camps (OCSC) at the HBCSE, Mumbai. The final teams for International Olympiads will be chosen from these students at the end of these OCSC Camps.

            The entire selection process for International Olympiads starts from these five examinations. Fee mentioned above are the only fees to be paid by a student. No additional fee are charged in the selection process anywhere anytime. Students appearing in Indian National Olympiads and International Olympiads are eligible for TA/DA.

            

Report of Second Inspire Internship science camp at NIT Srinagar from 19-23 May 2012

The   five day Inspire science camp at National Institute of Technology Srinagar was held from 19-23 May, 2012 for the brilliant students of the valley. This time, about five hundred students from various schools of the valley participated in the camp.

The camp is supported by DST and the Inspire program launched by the hon’ble Prime Minister of India has unique objective to motivate the youth of the country towards excitements of creative pursuit of science. The other goals of camp are to attract talent to the study of science at an early age and thus build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the Science & Technology system and Research & Development base.

The camp was inaugurated on 19th May by Chairman, Board of Governers NIT Srinagar Janab Wajahat Habibullah. During inaugural session a special envelope on NIT was issued by department of post. The CPMG Jammu and Kashmir circle Mr John Samuel inaugurated a scientific philately exhibition on the occasion. During Inspire science camp several mentors from state and outside state were invited to interact with the students.  The first technical session began with a talk on ‘Remarkable scientists an engineer of India’ by Dr Seemin Rubab, the co-convener of the program. The other talks on first day were delivered by Dr Sunil Wanchoo of SMVDU  on ICT and Dr GM Malik Rector of Badarwah campus, Jammu university on Geology. Several mentors deliberated on Architechture, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biological sciences. Mohammed Jawaid Alam an entrepreneur conducted workshop on Hydroponics and Mr VSS Sastry conducted workshop on Mathematics through Origami. Workshop on “Day time Astronomy” and safe viewing of Transit of Venus and eclipses was conducted by Dr Vivek Monteiro and Dr. T.V. Venkateswaran from Vigyan Prasar. The talk on Advances in surgical sciences with particular reference to Laparoscopic techniques by renowned surgeon Dr Mushtaq Chalkoo was most inspiring for the students. Apart from showing some video clips on surgery, Dr Chalkoo enthralled audience with his anecdotes and poetry. The presentation on conservation of Heritage Buildings of Kashmir by Mr.  Saleem Beg, Convener INTACH, Jammu and Kashmir was most stimulating. Noted author of popular science and  former editor of Science Reporter Mr Biman Basu also interacted with students. Female scientists and science communicators like Dr Gopi Sharma, Dr Ranjani, Dr Kausar  and Architect Mona Chandra were very effective and popular among the students. The  deliberations on career choices by Dr. Rubab, Dr Maruf Shah, Syed Abid Shah (IAS) and Engineer Omar were informative and thought provoking during valedictory session. The students also appreciated the musical program presented by expressions and space communications group. The members from environmental group ‘Change Kashmir’ and Recycling Kashmir also interacted with students during the camp. 

Energy: Explore, Harness and Conserve

The theme of 20th  Children Science Congress is related with Energy.  It was decided on the basis of a brainstorming session conducted in Tezpur University, Assam. The Children's Science Congress (CSC) is a three tier competition. The congress is organized annually by NCSTC-Network, a registered society comprising a network of governmental and non-governmental organizations working for development of scientific temper and science popularization. NCSTC network works in tandem with Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Pradiyogiki Sanchar Parishad of Department of Science and Technology.
The primary objectives of the Children's Science Congress is to make a forum available to children of the age-group of 10-17 years to exhibit their creativity, innovativeness and  ability to solve a societal problem experienced locally using the method of science. Selection of subjects for activity and registration of teams is done around mid July every year. A team consists of a maximum of five students and a guide. The students then work on the projects for next 2-3 months. District Level Congress is conducted around mid October.  In Jammu & Kashmir, CSC is organized as a four tier event. After district level competition, regional level competitions are held in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh divisions of the state.  State-level competition is organized for the finalists of the three regions to select 16 teams for the national event. The teams are accompanied by five teachers/guide and a state coordinator. The state coordinator is selected alternatively from Jammu and Kashmir divisions.  The national level event which is held from 27-31 December is however represented by only one member of the team due to logistic constraints. In Kashmir division the district and regional level Children Science Congress is  coordinated by Anantnag based NGO Jammu and Kashmir Students Welfare Society. The theme of 20th National Children Science Congress 2012 is ‘Energy: Explore, Harness and Conserve’. 

Participating Students are supposed to  consult scientists and academicians from higher institutes of learning like NIT, GMC, SKIMS, SKUAST, KGP, IUST, Central silk Board, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Indian Meteorology Department, various degree colleges  and Kashmir University. Students are also supposed to  conduct surveys in their vicinity to assess a local energy related issues and problem. Participants improve their project at successive levels. The selected teams for state level competition get expert advice from judges for further improvement of their work.

The CSC prompts children to think of some significant local problem, ponder over its causes and subsequently try and solve the same using the scientific process. This involves close and keen observation, raising pertinent questions, building models, predicting solutions on the basis of a model, trying out various possible alternatives and arriving at an optimum solution using experimentation, filed work, research and innovative ideas. CSC offers child scientists great opportunities for learning and peer group interaction. It is also a learning experience for science teachers who guide child scientists. The teachers/guides receive special orientation on the theme of the CSC every year. In short, CSC not only helps in initiating students towards scientific methodology but also helps in professional growth of science teachers who may guide their student’s projects.    

Some suggested projects on energy are  as follows

·         Explore and identify energy resources in and around you

·         Listing of household energy consumption pattern (For example: Electricity, petrol, diesel, LPG, wood etc. and quantify each)

·         Finding the cost of energy consumption

·         Finding out ways to minimize energy consumption.

·         Listing inefficient energy consuming devices and replacing those with energy efficient devices.

·         Students can make list of activities that can be taken up as a replacement of energy consumption (such as washing clothes manually and not using washing machine, walking and not using tread-mills etc. etc.!)

·         Finding the efficiency of cookstove at home using water boiling test

·         Finding energy consumed per typical meal of a region

·         Energy consumed per bath in cold climate( estimation of water per bath say 40 litre, then enrgy required to get it heated upto a particular temperature), Estimation of enrgy to pump water (KWh/litre) to storage tanks

·         comparison of energy per hour for lighting by IL, CFL, hurricane lantern, LPG mantle lamp, solar lantern etc

·         comparision of energy consumed per km distance per person  traveled by, car, bus, cycle etc

·         comparison or cost estimation of energy in agriculture end use particularly water pumping, 

·         estimation of energy for thermal comfort such as w/h for fan, cooler, Ac. In colder climate w/h and Rs/h for various heating options indigenous as well as modern

·         Students can make trip to the local industry and understand the energy consumption pattern of specific industries.

 Teachers and Students are urged to participate in Children Science Congress as it is a great hands on learning experience.

 A visit to  Pushpa Gujral Sciennce City

Dr Seemin Rubab

 AP, Physics, NIT, Srinagar

ask_rubab@yahoo.co.in

Much of the science we read in book is hard to imagine.  Imagining atomic structure, DNA  structure, tetrahederal carbon molecules, nuclear reactors, volcanoes, earthquakes etc. requires very fertile and creative minds. Science museums,  centres and science cities help in constructing complex ideas and explaining them through working models.  Exhibits of science museums are unique resources for non formal education. There are science museums in almost all states except Jammu and Kashmir. Pushpa Gujral Science city (PGSC) is situated on Jullandhur Kapurthala Road in Punjab. It is the nearest science city from Kashmir. It is connected to Jammu by train. It is open from 9 to 5 throughout year. Parents are requested to take their ward to PGSC during winter vacation instead of forcing them for tuitions. Visit to science city is a great learning experience for children and adults alike. What a child learns in one day is more than reading several text books throughout year. Children may be left there to explore, understand, and enjoy. It is in fact a family destination. There is lot of fun, amusement and excitement.   In Pushpa  Gujral Science City  models related to physics, astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, biology, health sciences, agriculture, geology, paleontology, Information technology, space technology, industry and industrial development etc. are displayed. The exhibits belong to three categories- passive, active and interactive. Passive exhibits include artifacts, graphics and  other visuals. Active exhibits can be operated by visitors with mechanical drive. Interactive exhibits are those which are operated by visitors on their own choice involving multiplicity of options. Some people prefer  interactive exhibits based on problem solving approach.    The main aim of PGSC  is to popularize science. It has become centre of entertainment and amusement apart from being a place of learning. It has something for everyone regardless of age or education. Science city organizes  summer camps for students and teachers. Days like World Environment day, Earth day, National Science day are observed.  On these days children are invited  from schools and popular talks and quizzes are organized.

 PGSC  has  big parks with outdoor exhibits like  sundial, swings and seesaw which children enjoy a lot. One can enjoy by observing time on sundial which consists of a pole pointing towards pole star at an inclination of Kapurthala’s latitude.  Me and my daughter visited explorium, science voyage, Planatarium, Laser show, Energy park, dinosaur park, cactus park, lake and Panaorama etc. In explorium, a majestic Focult’s pendulum caught my attention. The plane of pendulum’s swing shifts clockwise due to diurnal spin of earth.  The other attraction were Jacob’s ladder, Power transmission mechanism, Concept of Curie point in ferromagnets, Motion of straight line through hyperbola and illusion of ring.  The display on simple machines was also interesting. Ancient structures like pyramids were built using simple machines.  In planetarium, the show was on origin of universe. The dome shape  theatre was a delight to watch. The cruise through stars, galaxy and black hole was scary as well as exciting. In science voyage we experienced flight simulator. There was Einstein gallery and display on chandrayan, Agni mission, satellites, scientific philately museum.  We enjoyed laser show and 3D theatre very much. The ride through Vortex was scary. For sports lovers there is science of sports gallery. The amazing living machine gallery was very interesting.  The giant walk through beating Heart Model of 12 feet tall demonstrates the working of circulatory system while visitors walk through it.

The boating in an annular lake around dinosaur park was challenging. In dinosaur park all sorts of dinos were there.  It shows the Evolution of dinosaurs on earth and also some of the probable reasons of their extinction. Dinosaur Park has been divided in three periods: Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous. Twenty six   different types of Dinosaurs have been shown by 45 different dinosaur models in their natural habitat. Starting from the smallest known dinosaur “Compsognathus”, to the giant dinosaurs like “Seismosaurus” of Jurassic period and “Argentinosaurus” of Cretaceous period have been shown.   Plants like Araucaria, Cycads, Palms and Ferns also resemble the plantation of that era. Even the rock models represent the structure of rocks of that era. 

 The panorama was a delight to watch. It depicted the journey of homo sapiens from origin of life to present age.  From fire making, to burial of dead, discovery of wheel, cave painting and tool making showed the social and intellectual evolution of humans. What one can experience in half an hour of walk through the panels is worth reading several books on the topic.

One can make a virtual visit to the city through http://www.pgsciencecity.org/

Green Transport

Going Green has become fashionable these days. I wonder whether all of us fully understand the nuances  of Green or we are trapped in oxymoronic definition of its synonym Sustainable. Green actually represents consciousness of our age. It represents a wide and loosely defined spectrum of thought, attitude, philosophy and practice centered around the concern for the environment. We have green resources, products and processes like green energy, green buildings, green agriculture, green transport, green cities, green electronics, green computing, green chemistry, green pharmaceuticals, green fabrics to name a few.

 Any product or process is green if the emission of carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas is minimal during its fabrication and usage, it has consumed minimum of non renewable resources including energy and water, it has been made of recycled materials, it is recyclable after its useful life, it has utilized local resources, it respects other forms of life during its formation, usage and disposal.  It seem a tall order but it is not necessary that the entire wish-list is fulfilled, the more of it the better. 

We realise that there are shades of ‘greenness’. Getting completely green product or process is utopian. We also realise that green revolution is not green. The objectives of green revolution were noble but the means such as use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation techniques were not green. Now people are shifting to truly green ‘green revolution’ which focuses on no-till farming, organic fertilizers, natural pesticides, rain water harvesting and drip irrigation.

Worldwide transport  is the most non sustainable sector. Efforts are being made to make it green.  Improving public transport system, running trains and other vehicles on biodiesel and ethanol, promotion of solar cars and battery operated vehicles, non motorized transport like pedal bicycles are some efforts in this direction. The ultimate green transport could be vehicles run on hydrogen as hydrogen produces water on combustion instead of carbon dioxide.  As of now not much innovation has either achieved in solar cars or fuel cell operated vehicles or the generation of hydrogen from renewable sources.

 In hybrid and  battery operated vehicles the issue is regarding the electricity which has been used to charge the battery. If electricity is green meaning if it is hydro or solar then the vehicle is green whereas if the electricity has been obtained from thermal means then the vehicle is not green. So the only green transport choices we are left with include Bus Rapid Transport System, car pool and bicycles. Of course walking, the first mode of transport is most sustainable. One bus of commuters is six times more efficient than a car with single person. Bus Rapid Transport system of Curitiba of Brazil is worth emulating.

 Individual efforts like promotion of cycling or car pool is not going to be sustained until and unless government takes some concrete steps. These could be anything from streamlining of public transport system and providing lane/track for cyclists on all important routes. There should be adequate and free parking space available for cyclists. Walking and cycling environment could be improved in cities by introducing arterial bye-passes and ring roads.

Recently  faction of environment conscious people have started a group ‘Re-cycling Kashmir’ to promote cycling. Hope they are able to motivate masses towards this green mode of commuting. Apart from a green option, cycling is a healthy option too. My cardiologist friends would agree that cycling is a good aerobic activity and pedaling at 10 kilometers per hour burns 240 calories per hour. Let us hope that administration provides cycling friendly infrastructure and policies for cyclists of Kashmir. Let us make Srinagar a cycle friendly city like Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Groningen, Gothenburg and Delft. Green transport leads to green cities. So our next target should be to make Srinagar a green city like Curitiba and Masdar.

Report on Inspire Science Camp at NIT Srinagar (17-21) March 2012

One of the mandates of National Knowledge Commission is to attract talented students for a career in basic sciences and mathematics. A strong foundation in basic sciences is needed to create the next generation of competent teachers and scientific talent. Technology development is impossible without a strong research and development base of basic science and mathematics. To revive and consoli­date ‘Science’ as a career option for bright students from across the country National Knowledge Commission  has suggested to increase the number of existing fellowships  such as  Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojna (KVPY) and to start new fellowships schemes like INSPIRE. Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) is thus a programme by the Department of Science and Technology for attraction of talent to study science and opt careers with research. The motivation behind INSPIRE is to enlarge the pool of scientific human power and foster research in the sciences. The Scheme includes three sub-components viz.,  Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS), Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) and Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC).  As one sub components of SEATS, Summer/winter camps for about 50,000 youth are being organised throughout India in which students  interact with global science leaders.  Summer/Winter Camps are organized for age group 16 – 17 years, Class XI students. According to Dr. Umesh Kumar, Scientist  DST who was present at the inaugural session of Inspire Camp at NIT, it was the third such camp in Kashmir valley. Six camps have been organized in Jammu region and one has been organized in Ladakh. More such camps will follow regularly in this region.

The inaugural session of the camp began with an introduction of the Institute by Prof. MD Mufti, Dean R&D and chairman Inspire Camp. The director NIT, Prof. Rajat Gupta elaborated on the genesis of Inspire programme. Prof. Gupta urged the young participants to undertake research in future on contemporary issues such as solar power, climate, environment, wildlife conservation, eradication  of epidemic diseases etc.  Jenab Wajahat Habibullah, Chairman Board of Governors, NIT Srinagar who was the Chief guest emphasised on the importance of this programme. He expressed that this programme is an acknowledgement of the excellence achieved by the students of Jammu and Kashmir. 

A book on Nanotechnology entitled ‘ Principles of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology’ co-authored by Convener of Inspire Camp Dr. Ashraf Shah was  released on the occasion. A review of the book was presented by Prof Anima Nanda of Sathyabama University, Chennai.

During the camp the students from all over the valley  got a chance to interact with renowned scientists from prestigious scientific organizations of the country. The keynote address was delivered by Prof T Pal from IIT Kharagpur on Nanotechnology.  The other mentors include  Prof Talat Ahmad, VC Kashmir University, Prof. Anjali Pal from IIT Kharagpur, Prof Ranjani Vishvanathan from JNCASR, Prof R Tondon from Delhi University, Prof Shaijumon from IISER,  Prof. BB Kale from C-MET Pune and Prof. S Lone from IIT Kanpur.

Apart from lectures, the students of the camp  got a chance to visit various labs of NIT Srinagar.  They Participated in science quiz and essay competition. They keenly watched screening of scientific documentary ‘Behind the Dark Ages’ made by Mr. Akif Mufti, a student IUST. The documentary highlights the achievements of medieval scientists and polymaths like Ibn al Haytham, Ibn Sina, Abu Rehan Alberuni and al Khwarizmi.

Students also appreciated the scientific philately exhibition displayed by Dr Seemin Rubab, co-convener of the Camp. The stamps exhibition was on several themes including remarkable scientists from Arab, India and world. The other theme was centered around conservation of natural resources. Stamps on astronomy and astrophysics were also on display.

At valedictory function the students interacted with Dr. Faisal Shah, an IAS officer of  Jammu and Kashmir cadre and topper of civil services examination. In the same session there was a lecture on career by Mr. Maruf Shah.

 After lunch, the students from various districts of the valley were flagged off to their respective destinations by Convener of the programme Dr. Ashraf Shah

Ode to women in Chemistry

Many women have contributed towards the growth and development of science in general and chemistry in particular from the time immemorial.  Several women contributed to the proto-science of alchemy in Alexandria around the 1st or 2nd centuries AD. The best known among them, Mary the Jewess, is credited with invention of several chemical instruments, including the double boiler (bain-marie) and a type of still.  In medieval Europe, many of the women chemists were self taught and worked clandestinely. These women worked as assistants to their fathers, brothers and husbands. Hildegard  of Bingen, Germany practised naturopathy. She  was well known for her healing powers involving practical application of tinctures, herbs, and precious stones. Hildegard also wrote   about the need to boil water as early as in twelfth century in her medicinal texts. Marie-Anne was Lavoisier's wife and colleague. She used to conduct chemistry experiments at home. She translated documents from English for him and prepared sketches and engravings of laboratory instruments. She hosted parties at which prominent scientists could discuss chemistry and other scientific ideas. These early chemists were not very well known, were allowed less access to research facilities than their male counterparts, had fewer job opportunities, published less and received lesser awards and recognition.

It was however Madam Curie who changed the rule. She defied all norms and won two Nobel prizes in Physics and Chemistry. In doing so she inspired a whole generation of future women scientists and engineers. Her daughter Irene Curie-Joliot was also a Nobel laureate in Chemistry. Marguerite Perry started her career as assistant to Madam Curie and discovered eighty seventh element of periodic table.  In fact International Year of Chemistry 2011 coincided with the 100^th anniversary of Nobel prize in Chemistry to Madam Curie. Despite winning Nobel Prize she was denied a post in her native place Warsaw because of her gender. She was not allowed membership in French academy of science due to the same reason. She however overcame all prejudices and discrimination. Madam Curie clearly changed the role of women in Society too.

Many, other women chemists and biochemists, made important contributions in their fields. Some won Nobel Prize while others won various types of accolades and recognition.  Rosalind Franklin used x-ray crystallography to see the structure of DNA.  Gerti Cori was a biochemist and became first American woman to win a Nobel Prize in science. Dorothy Crowfoot-Hodgkin was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for using x-rays to determine the structure of biologically important molecules. Recently, Ada Yonath of Israel received Nobel Prize for her work on Ribosomes. Emma Perry Carr was the first recipient of the America society Garvan medal for her work on ultra violet spectra of simple unsaturated hydrocarbon. Marjori Caserio is an expert  educator  and  author of organic chemistry.

Maria Telkes an industrial chemist is known for creating the first thermoelectric power generator in 1947 and the first thermoelectric refrigerator in 1953 using the principles of semiconductor thermoelectricity. She designed a house using Phase Change Material  to make it warm without using fuel . Rachel Carson’s powerful book ‘Silent Springs’ documents the impact of Pesticide on Marine life. She is a pioneer of Green Chemistry. Ruth Wiener is another environmental chemist of repute.

The above list is just indicative and not exhaustive. Presently many female Chemists are working, around the globe for the growth of knowledge in chemistry and betterment of society. Although their percentage is small as compared to their male counterparts but their contributions are by no means small.

Women possess indigenous technical knowledge and practice chemistry in their everyday lives. It is however a pity that the sciences which are of practical use in the household are excluded from recognition. All home makers are expert in kitchen chemistry, molecular gastronomy and food processing. They perform chemical operations like ignition, combustion, boiling, measuring, facilitation of heat transfer, mass transfer, phase change, fermentation, Pasturization, Coagulation et al on daily basis. Moreover women process fruits and vegetables available in one season to be used in lean season. Due credit must be given to the practice of open sun drying of vegetables by Kashmiri women in summer. These dried vegetables known as ‘Hokh Seun’ in local parlance provides assortment and nutritional security in harsh winter months. By experimentation and practice home makers ensures the right moisture content in dried vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are home processed to make Jams and pickles. Homemakers also process milk to obtain cottage cheese, butter and curd which have longer shelf life, better nutritional values and provide range in food value. Every woman is an expert in kitchen chemistry, thermodynamics and heat transfer which she has learnt by practice and experience. Due credits should be given to grandmothers and great grand mothers who wrap the pots  full of cooked rice with blankets to ensure that it remains hot at time of consumption. Warm milk is mixed with right amount of culture to prepare yoghurt. The temperature is maintained to ensure proper reaction. Grandmas are practical chemists and drugists. Many common ailments are treated at home using kitchen condiments like turmeric, tulsi, garlic, clove, amla etc.

Scientific Temper

Scientific temper

Science and Technology have become an inseparable part of our daily life; hence creation of scientific awareness and inculcation of scientific temper has now a days become the need of the hour. It was Pandit Nehru who introduced the concept of modern ‘scientific temper’ – a phrase taken to mean an enquiring attitude and analytical approach that leads to rational thinking and the pursuit of truth without prejudice in his book Discovery of India. Scientific temper has to be fostered with care at the individual, institutional, social and political level. The spread of scientific temper in a society should be  more pervasive than the spread of science and technology.   Scientific temper is an attitude of mind which calls for a particular outlook and pattern of behaviour. It is of universal applicability and has to permeate through our society as the dominant value system influencing the way we think and approach our problems. The spirit of enquiry and the acceptance of the right to question and to be questioned are fundamental to scientific temper. It recognises the fact that knowledge often progress by disproving earlier ideas, beliefs, theories and laws. It considers knowledge as open ended and ever evolving. Scientific temper and humanism are included as fundamental duty of all citizens in our constitution in 1976. Various stakeholders are involved in developing statement of scientific temper and its dissemination. A meeting of manyacademicians, scientists and eminent citizens was convened in 1981 at Coonoor near Ooty for this purpose. Scientific temper statement was revisited and revised in 2011 at Palampur in wake of newer development in terms of growth of ICT and shift of economy from industry based to knowledge based. The scientific temper was recently discussed and deliberated in an ‘International Conference on Science Communication for Scientific Temper’ at New Delhi from 10-12 January 2012 convened by NISCAIR. The scope of scientific temper was broadened by including experts from arts and humanities apart from natural and social scientists. The conference consisted of four plenary sessions and fifteen parallel sessions.  During these deliberations strategies were developed to disseminate scientific temper. Several methods and media were selected for this purpose. It was decided that education is the foremost medium to inculcate scientific temper among children and youth. Role of Radio, Television and new electronic medium was discussed. Hands on science activities, science movements,  science museums and extension centres play important role in building scientific temper among masses.  Science fiction can also be used to inculcate scientific temper. Science communication and rational thinking has played a great role in diluting superstitions related with natural phenomenon like solar or lunar eclipses. Role of government practices and policy issues in spreading of scientific temper was also deliberated upon.  Several studies are also being conducted to find out or quantify scientific temper among masses. Science communicators are trying to develop indicators for gauging scientific temper. During valedictory session of the conference a revised statementof scientific temperendorsed by all participants was released.  Valedictory session was addressed by eminent scientists and scientific policy makers.