THE XXX Gujarat Science Congress-2016 was jointly organized by Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University and Gujarat Science Academy. The convener and organizing secretary Dr. M. G. Thakkar and Dr. Subhash Bhandari of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science of KSKV Kachchh University and his active working team has made the entire program a grand success. Prof. A. K. Singhvi, the President of the Gujarat Science Academy, Prof. S. R. Dave, Secretary, Dr. Mrs. Shobhna Menon, Additional secretary and Prof. P. N. Gajjar, the Treasurer provided valuable guidance for inviting abstracts from the participants. The president selected dignitaries for the keynote address, endowment lectures and other invited talks for the GSC. A year back Prof. Singhvi put forward a proposal to Dr. Thakkar if he could organize a grand event of Science in Gujarat in Kachchh University; he affirmatively agreed to organize it in the University. The active effort of the president and convener had made possible to avail the financial assistance from Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, Gujarat Council on Science and Technology, Gandhinagar, Ministry of Earth Science, New Delhi, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedaabad, Institute of Plasma Research, Gandhinagar. A mere amount is also received from the local industry like Ashapura Chinaclay Ltd and Union Bank, Bhuj. 1 Page
It is indeed a great honor and credit to the budding and pragmatic University in Kachchh to hold such a large scientific gathering for the first time since its inception. We received more than 300 abstracts from various Universities and science colleges of Gujarat and about 600 participants who attended the event. The entire event was held at the assembly hall of Shri Muktjeevan Swamibapa Mahila College affiliated with Kachchh University, opposite to the University campus. The Congress was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Shri Vinodbhai Chavda, the MP Kachchh, the guest of honor, Smt. Nimaben Acharya (MLA-Bhuj) and the Petron Dr. C. B. Jadeja (Vice Chancellor). Dr. M. G. Thakkar, the convener of the event gave a welcome speech and Prof. A. K. Singhvi explained the very concept of the Gujarat Science Congress of 2016, its aim and focus theme. In the beginning, the GSA president Prof. Singhvi felicitated Prof. P. K. Kaw, the former president of GSA and founder director of Institute of Plasma Research. Dr. C. B. Jadeja, the VC of the University addressed the convention and congratulated the team of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science for organizing a grand event of Science in Gujarat. Prof. Kaw explained his experience with the GSA and also the journey of science and scientific research in Gujarat. Dr. 2 Page
Nimaben Acharya, the MLA and Shri Vinod Chavda, the MP has wished the University a grand success by the active efforts of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science. All dignitaries on the dais released the Abstract Book of the XXX GSC-2016 that covers the program, speeches of all invited, endowment and special lectures and all the abstracts. The Padmashri and a renowned scientist of India Prof. D. Balasubramnian delivered a speech on you do not need a degree to be a scientist. His lucid speech on the philosophy of Science has stunned the audience. He explains When a housewife cooks rice, she checks one grain to see if it is cooked. Here, she uses the science of representative random sampling. The method she used here is: (a) hypothesis (If one rice is done, the whole pot is done); (b) experiment (check one grain); (c) observe and predict; (d) eat; (f) conclude. If the pot of rice is actually cooked and ready to eat, her hypothesis is proved right. If not, her choice of one grain as representative is wrong. This is the method of science! He was applauded and appreciated by entire audience. After that the chief guest presented the GSA PA Pandya Awards and CHARUSAT best Ph. D. thesis award to the winner candidates. Dr. Subhash Bhandari, the organizing secretary of the event expressed the vote of thanks and invited all the dignitaries to the Department of Earth and Environmental 3 Page
Science for the inauguration of the Geological Museum one of its kind in the state. Dr. S. K. Biswas, the legendary geologist and Shri Vinod Chanvda inaugurated the museum. Prof. H. S. Mazumdar, the Head-R&D, DDIT Nadiad delivered Shri S. R. Thakore memorial lecture on the subject of Big Data in Life Sciences. Prof. Singhvi delivered about the Societal Relevance and scientific challenges for Geosciences as services, the audience appreciated his knowledgeable speech. In the evening, a General body meeting of the GSA held in the court hall of the KSKV Kachchh University, which is followed by the grand cultural program of traditional Kachchhy music and instruments performed by the world famous artists. The entire audience appreciated the songs and music, at the end they mesmerized listening the unique traditional music and art. This event is followed by the traditional Kachchhy cuisine. The y w P. D. B lecture on sequential development of science in the country and how the civilization evolved with meticulous scientific concepts which are interwoven with our psyche. His excellent way of explaining the intricate theories of science in very simpler manner stunned everybody in the hall. The Lunar and Planetary Exploration Society 4 Page
Endowmwnt lecture was given by Dr. Prakash Chauhan of SAC- ISRO, Ahmedabad. He explains Why Study Mars and major scientific challenges, while Prof. R. N. Singh of IIT Gandhinagar delivered about Inventing Earth Surface. Dr. Vijay Potbhare of the M. S. University of Baroda explained about the Biology through the eyes of a physicist. At the end the Minaxi Lalit Awards were declared by the Jt. Secretary of the GSA. Prof. S. Menon. Over 200 research posters on various categories listed below with the session coordinators in each category: A. Life, Pharmacy, Medical and Forensic Science B. Chemical Science C. Genetics and Biotechnology D. Mathematics, Statistics, Computer, IT E. Physics and Material Science F. Engineering Sciences G. Geography, Earth and Environmental Science All the posters were displayed in the four corridors of Muktjeevan Swamibapa Mahila College. The names of the session coordinators are listed below: A. Dr. Kalpesh Sorathia (Dept. of Botany, Tolani Science College, Adipur) B. Dr. J. J. Bha (Dept. of Chemistry, KSKV Kachchh University) 5 Page
C. Dr. Suhas Vyas (Dept. of Earth and Env. Sc., KSKV Kachchh University) D. Dr. K. D. Rathod (Dept. of Mathematics, RR Lalan College, Bhuj) E. Dr. Anil Gor (Dept. of Physics, RR Lalan College, Bhuj) F. Dr. Sandeep Rathod (Govt. Engineering College, Bhuj) G. Dr. Subhash Bhandari (Dept. of Earth and Env. Sc., KSKV Kachchh University) Many professors and junior scientists expressed their views about the academic enhancement, research exposures and also spoke about the well disciplined and well mannered organization by the students of the Department of Earth and Environmental science. The dtwo days deliberation came to end in the evening with the concluding session with detailed discussion on future initiatives of GSA. 6 Page