Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) vice-president Sekar Viswanathan has called upon the youngsters to develop a habit of questioning in order to understand and unravel the mysteries of science.
Addressing a gathering of students from VIT and other institutions, who had gathered to participate in the National Science Day programmes, organised under the banner ‘Scigather 2014’ by the School of Advanced Sciences attached to the university on Friday, Viswanathan said great scientists were able to contribute to developing science by asking questions.
The truth and facts that had emerged due to questioning had formed the strong foundation for developing science, he added further. Sekar said teachers should induce curiosity among students. Parents also should help and encourage their children to ask questions to improve their learning ability. He said in order to inspire the youngsters at VIT, the university had named many of the hostels and the pathways on the campus, after great scientists and Nobel Laureates so that the students can accept them as their role models and build their scientific temper. “This is also to motivate students to aim for Nobel prizes,” Sekar Viswanathan added.
The chief guest Emeritus Professor Erode Subramaniyan Rajagopal from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in his keynote address, recalled how Sir C V Raman whose discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ had earned him the Nobel Prize and the day (February 28, 1928) he had announced his discovery was being celebrated as the National Science Day.
Rajagopal said Raman, as a music lover was curious since his younger days and had explored the science of sound behind many of the Indian musical instruments. His first-ever scientific papers on these instruments and how they had developed sound notes got published in many international journals. His love for music also helped him find a life-partner who was a music exponent.
As a hardcore scientist, he worked for over 15 years to discover the Raman Effect, that became a turning point in the history of science, he added.
Rajagopal urged youngsters to evince interest in learning science and any achievement in furtherance of science should be the fitting tribute to great scientists this country had produced, he added.
Dean of the School of Advanced Sciences Dr V M Chandrasekaran, in his welcome address, said the one-day programme comprised guest lectures, workshops on sophisticated lab instruments, debate on science topics and working model sessions.
Around 700 students from over 40 colleges from across the State were participating in the programmes held as part of the National Science Day celebrations, he added.