GUWAHATI, Nov 30: The 10th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF 2024) commenced today at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, celebrating India’s scientific achievements with a focus on fostering innovation and global partnerships. The event is organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, in association with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Vijnana Bharati. The CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, serves as the nodal institute for the festival.
The inaugural ceremony featured esteemed dignitaries, including Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma as the Chief Guest and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, delivering the Presidential Address. Other notable attendees included Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet Minister Smr. Dasanglu Pul, Assam Science and Technology Minister Keshab Mahanta, and senior officials from India’s scientific community, such as Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST; Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, DBT; Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES; and Prof. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, DAE.
Highlighting the festival’s significance, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma remarked, “IISF 2024 is a celebration of collective efforts in scientific innovation and collaboration. This event showcases India’s remarkable achievements, such as Chandrayaan-2, and features activities like the Young Scientists’ Conclave, Science Safari, and Tinker Labs, designed to ignite curiosity among students.”
He further emphasized India’s growing stature in the global scientific community, stating, “With initiatives like Nari Shakti celebrating women in STEM, Science Beyond Borders fostering international partnerships, and programs like Sagrika and Science Village, IISF 2024 reflects innovation and sustainability. Ranking among the top three in scientific research and excelling in startups, India is poised to become a global leader in innovation, supported by being the third-highest producer of PhDs worldwide.”
Delivering the Presidential Address, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the Northeast region’s transformation into a hub of economic and scientific growth, adding, “Over the past decade, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, India has achieved revolutionary breakthroughs in biotechnology, space, quantum science, and startups. As we approach India@2047, empowering youth and fostering innovation are pivotal to achieving self-reliance and global leadership.”
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the India Science, Technology & Innovation (ISTI) Portal by Dr. Jitendra Singh. The portal is a centralized platform providing comprehensive information on fellowships, scholarships, funding opportunities, and startup initiatives, designed to engage students, researchers, and the public in India’s science and technology ecosystem.
The four-day festival, running until December 3, aims to popularize science and technology across communities. It is expected to host over 8,000 delegates, researchers, and representatives from leading scientific organizations, along with an additional 10,000 students from schools and colleges.
Among the various exhibitions inaugurated by the dignitaries, the Chandrayaan – Museum of The Moon Exhibition garnered significant attention. Created by British artist Dr. Luke Jerram, the exhibit features a seven-meter replica of the moon with detailed NASA imagery, aiming to engage the public in discussions about space exploration and humanity’s cosmic connections, while celebrating India’s Chandrayaan missions.
