89th Annual Session of NASI & Symposium concluded at ICAR-NAARM

The 89^th Annual Session of National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) cum Symposium on ‘Science and Technology based Entrepreneurship Development’ commenced on 21^st December, 2019 at ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad. The three-days event has been jointly organized by the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) and ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NAARM), Hyderabad from 21-23 December, 2019. Distinguished NASI Fellows, Scientists including of eminence personalities such as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Sri Award winners and students participated in the symposium.

Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-NAARM while welcoming the dignitaries to the prestigious event, expressed his deep sense of gratitude to Prof. G. Padmanaban, President, NASI and Prof. (Mrs.) Manju Sharma, Former Secretary, DBT & Former President, NASI for their initiative to organize the symposium at ICAR-NAARM. Prof. (Mrs.) Manju Sharma highlighted the very theme of the symposium and the number of activities being undertaken by NASI for betterment of science in particular and for the benefit of society at large. Prof. G. Padmanaban appreciated the contribution of scientific interventions while emphasising the importance of research in basic sciences. Dr. A.V Rama Rao, Chairman & MD, AVRA Labs, Hyderabad was awarded the P.C Ray Memorial Award for his outstanding contribution in the field of science. While receiving the award, he highlighted the success of fundamental science to technology development and then commercialization.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and DG, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) in his inaugural address to a galaxy of scientists, NASI Fellows and students, applauded the efforts of scientists and farmers for making three revolutions happen in the country viz. green revolution, white revolution and recently the pulse revolution. The benefits reaped in terms production gains, self-reliance, greater cut in imports and exports of surplus were the highlights in his speech. He also emphasized the need for linking science, technology, innovation with entrepreneurship for not only retaining youth in agriculture but also for creating employment by making the entire value chain in agriculture, a profitable proposition. While recounting the current incubators across country being supported by ICAR, DST, DBT and other agencies. he calls for a paradigm shift towards science and technology led entrepreneurship, which is evidence based.  He along with other dignitaries then inaugurated the exhibition showcasing the products and services of research institutes, start ups and companies to mark the occasion.

Dr. Anil Kokadkar, Former Chiaman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India and former Secretary, Governement of India chaired panel discussions on Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship and emphasized the crtical need of Entrepreneurship to take faward the science led technology developments.

For spreading science and technology to diverse stakeholders, scientific and technical sessions in topics relevant to science and technology based entrepreneurship development in physical and biological sciences were conducted. Exhibits, children science meet and farmers meet were also a part of the event. An event of mainstreaming biodiversity-UNDP was also organised. A Souvenir and a Book on Farm innovations were released during the symposium. 

The event concluded on 23^rd December 2019 at ICAR-NAARM with the plenary session wherein Prof. G. Padmanaban, Dr. Manju Sharma, and Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, appreciated and lauded the togetherness of both NASI and NAARM for making the symposium so successful. Many eminent scientists were felicitated by NASI for their outstanding contributions in the field of Physical and Biological Sciences. NASI -Springer young scientist awards and NASI- Swarna Jayanti Puriskars Awards were presented to young and budding scientists from both biological and physical sciences.