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.
