S. Vishnu Sharma
IISF 2024 held at IIT Guwahati from 30 November to 3 December turned cynosure of all eyes. It left an indelible mark on India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in science, technology, and innovation.
India International Science Festival 2024 (IISF 2024) turned out to be a very impressive affair. Special point about IISF 2024 was that more than 50% of the participants in all events held as a part of the fest were from north east.
Footfall
The total footfall for IISF 2024 over four days is estimated around 45,000, that averages to more than 10,000 attendees per day, say sources from IIT Guwahati.
Chief guest for IISF 2024 Valedictory
Chief guest for the valedictory of IISF 2024 was Keshab Mahanta, Minister for Science, Technology and Climate Change, Government of Assam.
Other dignitaries who took part in the event were Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR; Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram.
Prof. Subhendu Sekhar Bag, Associate Dean, and IIT-G’s single point of contact for IISF 2024, Dr. V.M. Tiwari, Director, CSIR-NEIST, and Shri P.A. Vivekenenda Pai, Secretary General, Vijnana Bharati were also among those present.
Scientific achievements
Keshab Mahanta said IISF 2024 has truly been a remarkable celebration of India’s scientific achievements, underscoring the pivotal role of science and technology in shaping our future.
Over the last four days, we have witnessed an inspiring display of innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, with participants from all walks of life coming together to explore the transformative power of science, he said.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as all the partners who have supported this initiative, he said speaking during the valedictory of IISF 2024.
‘Assam is honoured to host such an important event, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to advance science and technology in the region.’
As we look ahead, we remain focused on leveraging science and innovation to build a more sustainable and self-reliant future for India, he said.
Events
IISF 2024 featured 25 distinct events with more than 150 technical sessions and panel discussions organized over three days.
The huge breadth of the events at IISF 2024 could be ascertained from the presence of more than 400 resource persons and 7,000+ registered delegates who attended the technical sessions.
Most of the visitors were engaged in interactions at the various exhibition halls.
Indian science
Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi said the 10th IISF is a landmark in celebrating Indian science and innovation. My gratitude to Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Government of India; Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, and IIT Guwahati for their support, and to the 400 IIT Guwahati student volunteers whose dedication made this event a success.
CSIR is proud to contribute to India’s scientific progress and will ensure the ‘Guwahati Declaration’ drives impactful initiatives, she said.
We are committed to nurturing innovative ideas from the student hackathon and tackling key challenges through mission-driven programs, she said.
Together, we are committed to strengthen IISF as a platform for inspiration and collaboration, advancing India’s global scientific leadership, she said.
Collaboration
Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram spoke about IISF 2024.
“IISF 2024 stands as a testament to the spirit of collaboration and innovation. This platform not only celebrates the strides made in scientific advancements but also strengthens the bond between science and society.
The festival has been instrumental in inspiring young minds, uniting diverse stakeholders, and showcasing the transformative potential of science and technology in driving India toward global leadership and self-reliance, he said.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, and all the collaborating bodies, including the Department of Atomic Energy, the Department of Space, IIT Guwahati, and Vijnana Bharati, for their unwavering support and dedication, he said.
Hackathon
The S&T Hackathon saw more than 80 problem statements being received from different Ministries of the Government of India.
Out of more than 280 registrations, 100 teams were selected for the final round at IISF 2024 and featured a non-stop engagement lasting continuously over 24 hours.
For the first time in the history of IISF, 18 teams were awarded and shall be forwarded to the corresponding Department of the Government of India for further action including implementation, internships, project positions, etc., with a year-long follow-up.
Young scientist
The Young Scientist Conclave featured Young Scientist Awardees, including the Vigyan Yuva SSB Awardees, as resource persons. With more than 1,40,800 recognized startups, India hosts the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world.
Mission Start-up brought together more than 200 entrepreneurs, investors, experts and other stakeholders from the start-up ecosystem and involved a Fire-side Talk on the first evening followed by success stories from Bharat, Pitch Sessions and Investors Meet.
Inspiration
As IISF 2024 concluded, it left a legacy of inspiration, collaboration, and a renewed commitment to positioning India as a global leader in science and technology. The festival highlighted the importance of nurturing curiosity, fostering innovation, and bridging regional diversity through science.
About IISF 2024
The 10th edition of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Science’s event India International Science Festival will be held from 30th November to 3rd December 2024 at IIT Guwahati campus.
The main purpose of IISF is the celebration of science by all. Through its creative programs and activities, IISF will provide opportunities to people and scientific fraternity in the country and abroad to come together and work together.
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