RT team
The India International Science Festival 2024 (IISF 2024), hosted at IIT Guwahati, showcased groundbreaking advancements in science and innovation over its second and third days. Organized by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and managed by CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, the event brought together over 20,000 students, educators, and policymakers. The festival focused on fostering sustainable practices and technological progress across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Dr. S. Somanath, ISRO Chairperson, inspired students during the “Face to Face with New Frontiers in S&T” program, urging them to explore careers in space research and scientific innovation. He emphasized the role of young minds in shaping the future, calling them “torchbearers of tomorrow.”
Key moments included the signing of three MoUs under CSIR’s Lab to Life Initiative. Highlights included biodegradable cutlery technology transferred to Bengaluru’s Devaki Engineering Enterprises and road infrastructure research collaborations between CSIR-CRRI and Rajasthan Technical University. Floriculture advancements were also bolstered through CSIR-IHBT’s partnership with the Shansha Cut-Flower Cluster in Lahaul & Spiti.
Interactive sessions captivated attendees, with 4,500 students engaging directly with leading scientists. Teachers benefited from innovative pedagogical workshops like “The Gurukula,” while students explored STEM challenges in “The New Nalanda.”
Cultural aspects shone at Vigyanika, the Science Literature Festival, emphasizing Indian languages in science communication. Pragya Bharat discussions spotlighted quantum computing breakthroughs under the National Quantum Mission, setting ambitious goals for India to lead globally by 2047.
IISF 2024 affirmed India’s commitment to innovation, education, and sustainable development.
