Jammu, Feb 28: National Science Day 2021 was celebrated here at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu today. The day is celebrated on February 28 every year since 1987 to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian physicist Sir, C.V. Raman. The basic objective of observation of National Science Day is to spread the message of importance of science and its application among the people.

The theme for National Science Day 2021 was “Future of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI): Impacts on Education, Skills and Work”. Dr. R.C. Agrawal, DDG, (Education), ICAR, New Delhi was chief guest and Dr. Sudershan Kumar, Ex. DG, DRDO was a guest of honour on the occasion.

The programme started by lightening the traditional lamp. At the outset, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, Prof. J.P. Sharma, introduced and welcomed the chief guest and guest of honour. Prof. Sharma also spoke about varsity’s initiatives and achievements.

Dr. R.C. Agrawal, while delivering his lecture on the theme of the National Science Day 2021, said that creativity, imagination and innovativeness are the future of science. He urged that one should learn education skills while acquiring academic skills and also said that education development should be organic and holistic.

Dr. Agrawal advised teachers to emphasize on quality education and to develop e-courses. He also recommended the students to devote 10,000 hours or 40 hrs per week for five years for becoming successful entrepreneurs. He was of the opinion that experiential learning is need of the hour but simultaneously urged for linking immersive learning with Experiential Learning Unit for developing entrepreneurial skills. While emphasizing the role of agriculture in nation building, he said that 70 per cent of sustainable development goals are linked with agriculture and allied sectors for removing hunger and poverty.

Dr. Sudershan Kumar, while delivering his lecture on ‘Role of Science in making India Self-Reliant’, said that science, technology and innovation lead to prosperity of the nation. He also spoke on various technologies developed by DRDO for socio-economic upliftment of farmers of India.

On the occasion, three books were also released by the guests namely ‘Women Empowerment’ by Dr. Jag Paul Sharma; ‘Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance’ by Dr. G.K. Rai and ‘Dairying in India and J&K’ by Drs. Biswajit Brahma, Pranav Kumar and Dibyendu Chakraborty. Besides, Dr. Rajiv Singh, Dr. R.K. Gupta and Dr. Vikas Abrol were conferred with the star scientist award of SKUAST-Jammu.

To celebrate National Science Day-2021, essay and quiz competitions were also organized for the students and prizes were distributed to the winners of the contest.

Earlier, the guests also visited Technology Park, Bee-Keeping Unit, Mushroom Unit, Farming System Research and School of Biotechnology of the University. All the statutory officers, teaching and non-teaching staff and students of the University attended the function. Proceedings of the function were coordinated by Dr. Sanjay Guleria and vote of thanks was extended by Dr. Rajesh Katoch.