National Seminars (16-20 October 2008)

FRONTIER AREAS IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India is playing a key role in many emerging technologies like Information Technology, Bio-Technology, Nano Technology , Bio Informatics etc. Our premier R&D institutions have made significant contributions in various areas. The seminar will deliberate on the strategies and action programmes to ensure India's leadership role in various emerging technologies.

GREEN INDIA - NATIONAL SEMINAR ON ENVIRONMENT

We have a great tradition of preserving environment .When the challenges like global warming pose a threat to the very existence of humanity, the Indian approach to environmental protection, which has a motherly reverence to the earth, can lead the world out of this crisis. The seminar will try to evolve a synergy of development and environmental protection and the significance of the Indian ethos in this turbulent scenario.

This seminar will discuss issues related to environmental protection, eco tourism, promotion of eco-friendly living and waste management. UN Decade on 'Water for Life' and International Triennial Campaign - “Understanding Planet Earth” will be special topics of the seminar.

SELF RELIANCE IN HEALTH SCIENCE

Discussion on the challenges faced by the various sections of the society with regard to Health and Hygiene, and Remedial measures will be discussed. Possibilities of an integrated approach to health and hygiene with contributions from all the streams like Allopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy will be discussed.

NATIONAL SELF RELIANCE IN ENERGY

Industrial and economic development is pushing our energy demand higher and higher. Focus is now shifting more to nuclear and alternative energy sources due to growing demand. A comprehensive programme to meet the energy demand and the role and extent of various energy options for India including nuclear energy, hydro ,wind and solar power, bio fuels, hydrogen energy and optimization of conventional energy sources will be discussed in the seminar.

SELF RELIANCE IN AGRICULTURE

Agricultural sector is facing huge challenges due to the combination of various factors. At the same time the food security of our nation and the world in general seems to be threatened. The paradoxical situation of high food prices and suicides of farmers due to low and negligible returns need to be analysed and remedial measures to be sought. The seminar will deliberate on these and other vital areas like water management & sanitation, food production & processing.

NATIONAL SELF RELIANCE IN SPACE & DEFENCE

We have significant achievements in the space programme. Our salient success stories in launch vehicles, The Space capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1) and advanced satellite technology as well as upcoming programmes like ‘Chandrayaan’ make the nation proud. At the same time the process of applications of space programme for societal benefits need to be strengthened and carried on to a larger section of the society. Initiatives in space applications related to tele-medicine, tele-education and village resource centres present a great opportunity for social upliftment.
National security is a pre-requisite for development. Our nation has a formidable defence force, which has proved its mettle at the appropriate occasions. The global scenario poses ever-changing challenges to security and a sustainable effort is needed to keep ourselves prepared to face any challenge. We need to strengthen our core competence and augment self reliance in critical technologies. Contributions of the three armed forces, DRDO and other agencies to national security will be highlighted in this seminar. The seminar on space and defence will deliberate on these aspects.

Apart from a national seminar each on the above topic at Kochi, there will be 140 seminars in these six subjects all over the state. Each of the fourteen districts of Kerala will host 10 seminars.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Women play a very significant role in maintaining our families, which is the foundation of Indian society. Hence empowering women will result in the overall development of society. The seminar will highlight the possibilities of women empowerment in social, cultural and economic sectors through the application of science and technology.