Chandigarh, 15 March, 2022 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST) today celebrated ‘Vigyan Utsav’, a joint initiative of Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India & State Science & Technology Councils to showcase country’s Science Technology & Innovation (STI) ecosystem for Atma-Nirbhar Bharat.
The theme of the 7th edition of Utsav was ‘Women in S&T and S&T for Women’. The specific theme highlighted contributions and achievements of women in development of knowledge driven society and was very appropriate considering that International Women’s Day (8th March), which celebrates womanhood, falls during the month.
The Vigyan Utsav began with opening remarks from Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Scientist E, SSTP, DST, Govt. of India who gave an overview of women centric schemes of Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India and stressed that women play a significant role in shaping young minds. Dr Jatinder Kaur Arora, Executive Director, PSCST shared key initiatives for empowering women through Science, Technology and Innovation in Punjab while exemplifying the pivotal role played by women for holistic development of the state.
The inaugural address was delivered by Dr. Manju Sharma, former Secretary, Deptt. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. She appreciated the role of PSCST in developing strong STI ecosystem in the State. She stressed that it is time to ‘Break the Bias’ as women are now playing a central role for development of country through Science & Technological interventions. Dr. Minakshi Rohilla form PGIMER, Chandigarh presented key features of ‘Youth-ASK App for ‘Swasth Kishori’, developed by PGIMER with support of PSCST to provide help to adolescent girls regarding gynecological problems.
This App was today formally launched by Dr. Debapriya Dutta, Advisor, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India who was of the view that such initiatives are very appropriate for empowering women to contribute towards Swasth Bharat. Dr. Shubnum Singh, Principal Advisor, Healthcare, Confederation of Indian Industries delivered address on challenges faced by women in Science & Technology and opined that women should break societal barriers to attain higher positions in Science & Technology.
Ms. Madhuchhanda Mishra, Senior Advisor, Climate and Development, British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh brought out UKs perspective towards Women & Innovation giving an overview of Indo-UK joint schemes of gender parity. Experience of developing Technology Platform for transforming food supply chain was shared by Dr. Shrishti Batra, alumni of IISER, Mohali who is the Co-founder of tech-led start-up Qzense Labs.
Ms. Rekha Mann, Chairperson of Patiala Handicrafts shared the benefits reaped by women artisans after registration of Phulkari, the Geographical Indicator (GI) of Punjab, and their registration of authorized users of GI facilitated by Patent Information Centre of PSCST.
The event was aired live on WebEx and YouTube and attended by women, researchers, entrepreneurs, students and teachers from across the state.
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