The 103rd session of the Indian Science Congress is being attended by several Nobel Laureates from across the globe, scientists from different streams from India and abroad.
Unlike the last session of Indian Science Congress, this year’s session is a low-key affair, and the session confines itself to basic or applied sciences.
The Mysuru Session of Indian Science Congress appears to be the worst managed. At the main venue of the Congress, where the PM inaugurated the Session, hell broke out as the entire crowd of hundreds of scientists, invited delegates and students were forced to enter through just one gate. Aged delegates were seen caught up in the mele, and it was almost a stampede-like situation.
Journalists were barred from taking mobiles, cameras, but after persistent persuasion and at the intervention of senior police officials, cameras were allowed, without the bag. I have never attended a PM’s function, with such lax security – especially when it’s taking place after the dastardly terror attacks in Pathankot. Most of us got in without being frisked or our cameras scanned.
Even secretaries of scientific/research departments, barring a few could not find their way. The ICMR Director General was later seen settling down in the crowd.
(NB Nair, is the Executive Editor of Indian Science Journal.)
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