Inculcating scientific temper among students my aim: Modi

Chief Minister Narendra Modi has said it has been his endeavour to inculcate a scientific temper among students in Gujarat. He was interacting with selected groups of child scientists attending the 17th National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) at Science City on Monday afternoon.

Answering a question by a child scientist from Andhra Pradesh, Modi said he had discovered that 30 talukas in the State were without any science school. Following this revelation, he had decided to open at least one science school in every block of the State, the Chief Minister told the budding scientists, who have come from all over the country to attend the five-day child science meet which began here on Sunday.

Asked about the secret of his success, Modi said it was sheer hard work and the love of people, which were open secrets of his life.

In reply to another question about scientific institutions, the Chief Minister said these were opened according to the requirement of each State. He added that Gujarat had a disaster management institute because it was in the G-5 category of earthquake prone zones. Gujarat also has a forensic science university and a Kamdhenu university (veterinary science), Modi underlined.

On a question about how to balance two contradictory trends like global warming and development, the Chief Minister replied that planting more trees was the solution.

Designed to encourage children in scientific innovations, the annual event is being hosted in Gujarat for the first time. Apart from selected child scientists from all over the country, nearly 12,000 students from various schools of Gujarat are also participating in various activities at the five-day meet.

On the sidelines of the meet, eminent scientist Professor Yashpal expressed concern over the dwindling numbers of common birds like crows, sparrows and owls. Apart from pollution affecting biodiversity, one reason could be proliferation of cellphone towers, which send out radiation signals, he told a child scientist from Assam.

Among the 156 presentations shortlisted by evaluators on Sunday, a majority of the child scientists have dealt with conservation of energy and use renewable energy. “This proves how much children are concerned about the planet’s energy crisis,” said State Principal Secretary (Science & Technology) Ravi Saxena.

Some interesting presentations made include natural insect repellents, ecofriendly double-heated ovens, a study on anthill, preservation and storage of vegetables by solar energy and a hydro-electric bike, according to Saxena.

Presentations were also made on safe drinking water, vertical farming and water harvesting, according to one of the organisers at the meet.