National Science Day is celebrated in India every year on 28 February to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian physicist Sir C.V. Raman. National Science Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC) and CSIR Madras Complex (CMC) during 28-29 February 2024.

 

The National Science Day function was organized on 29.2.2024 and was presided over by Dr. N. Anandavalli, Director, CSIR-SERC and Coordinating Director, CMC. Prof. S.K. Bhattacharyya, Vice Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University, Chennai, and Former Director, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI), Roorkee, was the Chief Guest of the function. In her welcome address, Dr. Anandavalli mentioned that science and technology are integral parts of Indian culture, deeply interlinked, and are also fundamental to the growth of the country and humanity. Speaking briefly on Sir CV Raman and the genesis of National Science Day, she said that this day is a powerful reminder of the impact of science and technology in our everyday lives. Talking about the theme of National Science Day 2024 – Indigenous Technology for Viksit Bharat, she said that India has always been a land of innovation and highlighted on the contributions of CSIR towards developing indigenous technologies. Dr. Anandavalli also remembered the contributions of Dr. N. Lakshmanan, Former Director of CSIR-SERC, for the structural engineering field and his outstanding work at CSIR-SERC.

 

As a part of the National Science Day celebrations, the first edition of Dr. N. Lakshmanan Memorial Science Quiz Competition was organized at the CSIR Campus on 28 February 2024, exclusively for the Corporation of Chennai School students. The main aim of the quiz was to inculcate the aptitude for scientific research in young minds. The quiz was organized by Shri. A.K. Farvaze Ahmed, Principal Scientist, CSIR-SERC, and his team. A total of sixty-three students from twenty-one schools from all across Chennai actively participated in the quiz. Six teams (3 members per team) were selected for the finals following the qualifying round. The finals were organized on the same day and consisted of several rounds of science questions, including audio-visuals. All students participated in the quiz enthusiastically. The first prize was won by CHSS, Taramani. CHS, Kallikuppam, won the second prize, and CHS, Kamaraj Avenue, won the third prize. The consolation prizes went to CHS, Puliyur, CHS, Cholapuram, and CHSS, Velachery.

A brief report on the organization of Dr. N. Lakshmanan Memorial Science Quiz Competition was given by Dr. M.B. Anoop, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-SERC. The prizes were given to the winning students on 29.2.2024 by the chief guest, Prof. Bhattacharyya, Director Dr. Anandavalli, and Dr. Gomathi Lakshmanan, wife of Dr. N. Lakshmanan.

 

Dr. J. Rajasankar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC, introduced the chief guest to the audience.

 

The chief guest Prof. Bhattacharyya, delivered the National Science Day lecture on Global Problem – Indigenous Solution. In his speech, Prof. Bhattacharyya highlighted on the availability/accessibility of indigenous solutions/capabilities for many of our existing problems. He spoke in detail on the fire accident at the Bagri Market, Kolkata, in the year 2018 and the studies/analysis that his team had done in the aftermath of the fire, and the solutions arrived at. He also mentioned various fire accidents in the recent past and said that detailed studies focussing on various aspects of the cause of fire and comprehensive scientific solutions are necessary for retrofitting the structures that are affected or destroyed by fire. Prof. Bhattarcharyya highlighted that their study was one such detailed one with which one can know the temperature at which the structure was exposed to during fire – based on which an apt solution can be given to retrofit/strengthen the structure.

 

Dr. Robert Sam, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-SERC, proposed a vote of thanks.

        

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