NOBEL LAUREATES BULLISH ON INDIA AT SCIENCE CONCLAVE, IIIT-A

By Flynn Remedios - FUTURISTIC MEDIA NETWORK, IIIT-Allahabad


The 8 Nobel Laureates who have reached the IIIT-Allahabad for the Nobel Laureates' Science Conclave are very bullish on India. Most of them have come in with their spouses and are looking forward to spending time in India and also visiting other Indian cities. While some of them seemed a bit apprehensive about coming to India after the terror attack in Mumbai, all of them were convinced that barring a few incidents, India is a safe place to live, work and travel.

Speaking at the formal inauguration of the Science Conclave on Tuesday morning they all echoed the same sentiment and feeling. "India and Indian youth have contributed greatly to the international scientific community though they have a long way to go," was the common refrain in their speeches.

Jerome Issac Friedman who has worked under stalwarts like Encrico Fermi and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1990 for discovering quarks (the building blocks of protons in an atom) said that in addition to technology, we need to focus on the development of basic science. "We need to concentrate on basic research," he said, adding that the greatest invention of this century the transistor (a semi-conducting device used in every electronic micro chip) is responsible for 2/3rds of the economy of certain modern nations, referring to countries in South East Asia which have a flourishing semi-conductor manufacturing business and account for almost 50 per cent of all the semi conductors manufactured in the world. He wondered why India was not able to catch on the manufacturing boom particularly in semi-conducting devices and electronic gadgets like other nations like Taiwan, Malaysia and Korea in spite having a huge pool of technocrats and scientists.

Martin Lewis Perl, an American physicist who won a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1995 for his discovery of the Tau Lepton said that besides brainpower Indian culture, art and dance are valued treasures and exports to the US. He stressed on the need for Indian scientists to delve deeper into the basics of science, particularly physics which is the foundation of all research in related fields.

Sir Harold (Harry) Walter Kroto, FRS, an English chemist who shared the 1996 Nobel Prizein Chemistry talked about the great Indian food available in London and the booming business by Indian restaurants in his hometown. He also joked that Indians should not be so aggressive and competitive about cricket and give the English team an opportunity to win the match. "Like cricket, Science should be enjoyable and not very competitive. Competition is good but very intense and aggressive competition kills the joy and enjoyment of small achievements. Do it because you love it," he exhorted the students and faculty present.

Frenchman Claude Cohen Tannaudji shared the 1997 Nobel Prize for Physics felt that Indian youth should channelise their energies into scientific research - this was the best weapon to combat violence and fanaticism which seems to be a problem area in certain regions.

INDIAN SCIENTISTS MAKE UP 36 PER CENT OF NASA'S TECH POOL

By Flynn Remedios - FUTURISTIC MEDIA NETWORK, ALLAHABAD



Mera Bharat Mahan – these three words mean a lot to all of us, but I really understood the meaning of the words when His Excellency, the Governor of Haryana, Dr A R Kidwai while inaugurating the Nobel Laureates Science Conclave at the IIIT-Allahabad informed the august gathering of scientists, Nobel Laureates and students that 36 per cent of all the senior scientists at NASA (the National Aeronautics & Space Administration, USA) are of Indian origin. Technically speaking this means that Indian brains and minds run the US space research program. He also added that about 35 per cent of all programmers at Mircrosoft are of Indian Origin and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – the Mecca of Technology and Research – boasts of 12 senior professors also of Indian origin.


Dr Kidwai in his very inspirational inaugural speech also reminded the august gathering of IT professionals, students and Indian scientists that India or Bharat pioneered the development of Mathematics in the World by introducing the concept of 'zero' and the decimal system. "World over, Indians are considered to be wizards at Mathematics and are generally supposed to be very good with numbers, " said Dr Kidwai adding that India is the hub for testing of drugs and even the tech park where thousands of software functional engineers test programs that run most Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies in the World.

Dr Abid Hussain former Indian ambassador to the USA and a Planning Commission member said that we must inculcate a scientific temper in the minds of our youth. "The urge and instinct to tinker, to look inside 'how stuff works' and to experiment with ideas must be ingrained in all of us from a very early age. The exhorted youth not to give up dreaming for 'your dreams are tomorrow's reality'.

The Nobel Laureates' Science Conclave at IIIT-Allahabad, a week-long mega symposium, exhibition and lecture series on science and technology was inaugurated today by His Excellency, the Governor of Haryana, Dr A R Kidwai and Dr Abid Hussain, former ambassador of India to the US and a former Planning Commission member.


Nobel Laureate Prof. Claude Cohen Tannoudji while congratulating Indian students and scientists – while referring to the recent terror attacks in Mumbai and certain political disturbances in the region said that, "Science is the best tool against intolerance. The best answer to fanaticism and short-sightedness is to focus and concentrate on the development of a scientific temper in our young minds." Earlier in the morning, Prof Tannoudji delivered a technical lecture on hi-tech and particle physics.

Dr M D Tiwari, founding director, IIIT-A, recollected his days as a student in 1969 where he had the privilege of attending a Lindau Conference of Nobel Laureates. He mentioned that as a young academician he had dreamt of organizing such a conference in India for Indian students and scientists and this was his dream come true. He stressed on the need to promote science in the country and elaborated on the need of the mainstream media to propagate and disseminate scientific knowledge. "Since the IIIT-A was founded in 1999, the institution was graced by the presence of several international dignitaries and even hosted a vice-chancellor's conference," he added.


For the first time in Asia, the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) is hosting the biggest Asian gathering of international Nobel Laureates at the Nobel Laureates Conclave, IIIT, Allahabad from December 15 to 21st, 2008. The Nobel Laureates Conclave is part of the Science Conclave 2008.

A salient feature of this event is the Media Open House with the Nobel Laureates for Indian and international media persons – a program that will give the Indian media an opportunity to interact with the best brains from the international scientific community.


The Science Conclave is a Ministry of Human Resource Development and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India initiative.

The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) was established in 1999, as a centre of excellence in Information Technology and allied areas. The Institute was conferred the "University" status by the Government of India in the year 2000. The Institute hence is empowered to have a perpetual seal and award degrees subsequent to the conduct of its own examinations. IIIT-A is conceived with the ambitious objectives of developing professional expertise and skilled manpower in Information Technology (IT) and related areas.

NOBEL LAUREATES’ SCIENCE CONCLAVE OPENS AT IIIT-ALLAHABAD

Monday, December, 15th 2008: The Nobel Laureates’ Science Conclave at IIIT-Allahabad, a week-long mega symposium, exhibition and lecture series on science and technology was inaugurated today by His Excellency, the Governor of Haryana, Dr A R Kidwai and Dr Abid Hussain, former ambassador of India to the US and a former Planning Commission member. Nobel Laureates Prof Claude Cohen Tannoudji and Prof A Slavnov were also present at the inauguration.


Speaking at the inauguration, His Excellency, Dr A R Kidwai said that Indian science students must take pride in the fact that 36 per cent of scientists in the core group at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, USA) are Indians. Elaborating on the contribution of Indian scientists and technocrats in the global arena, Dr Kidwai added that about 35 per cent of all Microsoft senior programmers are also Indians while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – the Mecca of Technology and Research – boasts of 12 senior professors of Indian origin. He also reminded the august gathering of IT professionals, students and Indian scientists that India or Bharat pioneered the development of Mathematics in the World by introducing the concept of ‘zero’ and the decimal system.

Nobel Laureate Prof. Claude Cohen Tannoudji while congratulating Indian students and scientists – while referring to the recent terror attacks in Mumbai and certain political disturbances in the region said that, “Science is the best tool against intolerance. The best answer to fanaticism and short-sightedness is to focus and concentrate on the development of a scientific temper in our young minds.” Earlier in the morning, Prof Tannoudji delivered a technical lecture on hi-tech and particle physics.

Dr M D Tiwari, founding director, IIIT-A, recollected his days as a student in 1969 where he had the privilege of attending a Lindau Conference of Nobel Laureates. He mentioned that as a young academician he had dreamt of organizing such a conference in India for Indian students and scientists and this was his dream come true. He stressed on the need to promote science in the country and elaborated on the need of the mainstream media to propagate and disseminate scientific knowledge. “Since the IIIT-A was founded in 1999, the institution was graced by the presence of several international dignitaries and even hosted a vice-chancellor’s conference,” he added.


For the first time in Asia, the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) is hosting the biggest Asian gathering of international Nobel Laureates at the Nobel Laureates Conclave, IIIT, Allahabad from December 15 to 21st, 2008. The Nobel Laureates Conclave is part of the Science Conclave 2008.

A salient feature of this event is the Media Open House with the Nobel Laureates for Indian and international media persons – a program that will give the Indian media an opportunity to interact with the best brains from the international scientific community.


The Science Conclave is a Ministry of Human Resource Development and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India initiative.

The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) was established in 1999, as a centre of excellence in Information Technology and allied areas. The Institute was conferred the "University" status by the Government of India in the year 2000. The Institute hence is empowered to have a perpetual seal and award degrees subsequent to the conduct of its own examinations. IIIT-A is conceived with the ambitious objectives of developing professional expertise and skilled manpower in Information Technology (IT) and related areas.



Media may contact FLYNN REMEDIOS on 09821889888 or on futuristicmedianetwork@gmail.com for further details.



Daily/Regular updates on this event are available at: http://futuristicmedianetwork. blogspot.com, http://scienceconclave.blogspot.com and http://nobellaureatesconclave.blogspot.com

NOBEL LAUREATES’ SCIENCE CONCLAVE OPENS AT IIIT-ALLAHABAD

Monday, December, 15th 2008: The Nobel Laureates’ Science Conclave at IIIT-Allahabad, a week-long mega symposium, exhibition and lecture series on science and technology was inaugurated today by His Excellency, the Governor of Haryana, Dr A R Kidwai and Dr Abid Hussain, former ambassador of India to the US and a former Planning Commission member. Nobel Laureates Prof Claude Cohen Tannoudji and Prof A Slavnov were also present at the inauguration.


Speaking at the inauguration, His Excellency, Dr A R Kidwai said that Indian science students must take pride in the fact that 36 per cent of scientists in the core group at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, USA) are Indians. Elaborating on the contribution of Indian scientists and technocrats in the global arena, Dr Kidwai added that about 35 per cent of all Microsoft senior programmers are also Indians while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – the Mecca of Technology and Research – boasts of 12 senior professors of Indian origin. He also reminded the august gathering of IT professionals, students and Indian scientists that India or Bharat pioneered the development of Mathematics in the World by introducing the concept of ‘zero’ and the decimal system.

Nobel Laureate Prof. Claude Cohen Tannoudji while congratulating Indian students and scientists – while referring to the recent terror attacks in Mumbai and certain political disturbances in the region said that, “Science is the best tool against intolerance. The best answer to fanaticism and short-sightedness is to focus and concentrate on the development of a scientific temper in our young minds.” Earlier in the morning, Prof Tannoudji delivered a technical lecture on hi-tech and particle physics.

Dr M D Tiwari, founding director, IIIT-A, recollected his days as a student in 1969 where he had the privilege of attending a Lindau Conference of Nobel Laureates. He mentioned that as a young academician he had dreamt of organizing such a conference in India for Indian students and scientists and this was his dream come true. He stressed on the need to promote science in the country and elaborated on the need of the mainstream media to propagate and disseminate scientific knowledge. “Since the IIIT-A was founded in 1999, the institution was graced by the presence of several international dignitaries and even hosted a vice-chancellor’s conference,” he added.


For the first time in Asia, the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) is hosting the biggest Asian gathering of international Nobel Laureates at the Nobel Laureates Conclave, IIIT, Allahabad from December 15 to 21st, 2008. The Nobel Laureates Conclave is part of the Science Conclave 2008.

A salient feature of this event is the Media Open House with the Nobel Laureates for Indian and international media persons – a program that will give the Indian media an opportunity to interact with the best brains from the international scientific community.


The Science Conclave is a Ministry of Human Resource Development and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India initiative.

The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) was established in 1999, as a centre of excellence in Information Technology and allied areas. The Institute was conferred the "University" status by the Government of India in the year 2000. The Institute hence is empowered to have a perpetual seal and award degrees subsequent to the conduct of its own examinations. IIIT-A is conceived with the ambitious objectives of developing professional expertise and skilled manpower in Information Technology (IT) and related areas.



Media may contact FLYNN REMEDIOS on 09821889888 or on futuristicmedianetwork@gmail.com for further details.



Daily/Regular updates on this event are available at: http://futuristicmedianetwork. blogspot.com, http://scienceconclave.blogspot.com and http://nobellaureatesconclave.blogspot.com

NOBEL LAUREATES' SCIENCE CONCLAVE, IIIT-A TO BE PODCAST/WEBCAST LIVE

Mumbai, December 12, 2008: Asia’s biggest gathering of Nobel Laureates at the Science Conclave 2008, IIIT-Allahabad will be podcast and webcast live for the benefit of millions of students all over India.

According to Dr M D Tiwari, Founding Director, IIIT-A, “To document for posterity the invaluable knowledge imparted by 12 living legends from across the world, the IIIT-A administration has permitted the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and the Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC) of the University Grants Commission to record the entire event. The proceedings will then be used for developing e-content to be broadcasted by CEC through its 24-hour channel — Vyas — on higher education and by IGNOU through its educational web cast. This is done to present a repository of knowledge for generations to come.”

He added the permission for the recordings had been granted by IIIT-A, but the copyright of the content will remain with the institute. “Both IGNOU and CEC have agreed in principle to acknowledge the support of IIIT-A in the development of e-content and broadcasting of the talks, lectures and interaction,” said Dr Tiwari. The Science Conclave is the brainchild of Dr Tiwari and his dedicated faculty at IIIT-A, who have been working on this project for the last one year.

For the benefit of the media across the country and to ensure that even local and regional channels and publications are able to cover the event, all recorded lectures and interaction will be made available via a live podcast in real time, said Flynn Remedios, National Media Co-ordinator, Science Conclave, IIIT-A. Additionally, lectures and other content will be translated into regional language for the benefit of all and webcast.

Many portals and leading websites across the country have shown interest in webcasting the prestigious event, which is the first of its kind in India.

The Nobel Laureates Conclave is part of the Science Conclave 2008 – a mega symposium, exhibition and lecture series on science and technology at the IIIT-A and is a Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India initiative.

Indian and International media are invited to cover the event and also interact with the luminaries and Nobel Laureates. A special Media Open house with the Nobel Laureates will be held during the event.

All media persons desirous of attending this event are requested to contact FLYNN REMEDIOS on 09821889888 or on futuristicmedianetwork@gmail.com to register for this event.

NOBEL LAUREATES’ SCIENCE CONCLAVE AT IIT, ALLAHABAD

Press Release
For immediate publication




NOBEL LAUREATES’ SCIENCE CONCLAVE AT IIT, ALLAHABAD
15 to 21 December, 2008




Mumbai, December 8th 2008: For the first time in Asia, the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) will host the biggest Asian gathering of international Nobel Laureates at the Nobel Laureates Conclave, IIIT, Allahabad from December 15 to 21st, 2008. With the Nobel Laureates’ Conclave, the IIIT-A will lay-down an important milestone in the history of Science and Technology in India.

The Nobel Laureates Conclave is part of the Science Conclave 2008 – a mega symposium, exhibition and lecture series on science and technology at the IIIT-A during the same period.

A salient feature of this event will be the Media Open House with the Nobel Laureates for Indian and international media persons – a program that will give the Indian media an opportunity to interact with the best brains from the international scientific community.

With help, support and inspiration from the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, IIIT-A is organizing a Science Conclave 2008 at the campus of IIIT-Allahabad, which will also include the Nobel Laureates’ Conclave – an event which will see about 12 international Nobel Laureates from different countries converge at one location and interact with hundreds of Indian scientists, researchers and technology students. Senior members from the Government secretariat, concerned ministries and from the Atomic, Nuclear and Space Research Departments will feature on the guest list. India Inc is expected to also turn up in full force to support the efforts of the scientific community in India.

According to Dr M D Tiwari, Founding Director, IIIT-A, “For the first time in Indian and Asian history, 12 Nobel Laureates, leaders, policymakers, research scholars and students including the first batch of the “INSPIRE” program by the DST will participate in the conclave to discuss the emerging trends in the scientific research and technological innovations in world of science. This is a great opportunity for the Indian scientific community particularly young minds to interact with global veterans and stalwarts in the respective scientific disciplines.”

The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) was established in 1999, as a centre of excellence in Information Technology and allied areas. The Institute was conferred the “University” status by the Government of India in the year 2000. The Institute hence is empowered to have a perpetual seal and award degrees subsequent to the conduct of its own examinations. IIIT-A is conceived with the ambitious objectives of developing professional expertise and skilled manpower in Information Technology (IT) and related areas.

Indian and International media are invited to cover the event and also interact with the luminaries and Nobel Laureates. A special Media Open house with the Nobel Laureates will be held during the event.

All media persons desirous of attending the event are requested to contact FLYNN REMEDIOS on 09821889888 or on futuristicmedianetwork@gmail.com to register for this event.



Daily/Regular updates on this event are available at: http://scienceconclave.blogspot.com and http://nobellaureatesconclave.blogspot.com


For other information regarding the event: http://scienceconclave.iiita.ac.in/


Media Contact details:

Flynn Remedios – Media Manager and Co-ordinator, Science Conclave, IIIT-A
Email: futuristicmedianetwork@gmail.com
Phone: +919821889888