Amritsar, February 9 – The world is heading for a technological revolution in all fields of development. Whereas the developed countries are leading this revolution, less-developed countries, like India, are lagging behind in this domain, with the result that we have to spend a lot of resources to import technology and finished products from abroad. Scientist should be encouraged to do innovative research for suitable economic development for making India self reliant.
These views were expressed by the eminent scientists who gathered here to participate in the 3-day 15th Punjab Science Congress which concluded here today. This Congress was organized by the Guru Nanak Dev University in association with Punjab Academy of Sciences, Patiala at the Guru Nanak Bhawan Auditorium of the University. More than 600 Scientists and Researchers participated. In this 3-day Science Congress more than 500 abstracts and 100 oral presentations which included plenary lectures and lead lectures were presented by eminent scholars and oral presentations by young faculty and research scholars.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor A.S. Brar presided over the valedictory session while Mr. V.M. Trahan, Chairman, Mekaster Group of Companies was the Chief Guest. Prof. A.K. Thukral, Chairman welcomed the Chief Guest and others. Prof. Gurcharan Kaur, Organizing Secretary presented report of the Congress. Prof. I.J.S. Bansal, President, Punjab Academy of Sciences introduced the Chief Guest. Dr. R.K. Mahajan, Professor of Chemistry presented vote of thanks and Prof. Renu Bharadwaj conducted the stage.
One session during this Congress was dedicated to the ‘Scientific Legacy and Contributions of Professor Brar’. During this session, Dr. A. S. Sarpal, former Gen. Manager, Indian Oil Corp. Faridabad, Dr. S.K. Majumdar, Deputy General Manager, Indian Oil Corp. Faridabad, Dr. Gurmeet Singh, Senior Research Officer and Dr. G.S. Kapur, Chief Research Manager, at IOC, Faridabad; all ex-students of Prof. Brar presented their recent scientific work.
All of them were of the view that it was the stimulation from Prof. Brar that they are presently engaged in services of the society from various angles like developing algae as futuristic fuel, development of new polymers and the use of spectroscopic techniques like Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in oil and polymer industry which was a pioneering work by Prof. Brar during his stay at IIT, Delhi.
In recognition to the glorious contributions of Prof. Brar to science & technology, his distinguished services towards society as a dedicated teacher, eminent scientist and as an administrator; ex-students of Prof. A.S. Brar along with his teachers, colleagues, fellow scientists, friends, and family members as well as the fraternity of Guru Nanak Dev University, while celebrating 65th birthday of Prof. Brar, honored him by releasing a book entitled ‘Prof. Ajaib Singh Brar – Jiwan Parwaaz – Profound Pursuits’. This book was released by Prof. Yashpal, former Chairman, UGC, New Delhi.
This book is a compilation of feelings of friends, colleagues, fellow scientists, students of Prof. Brar narrates the journey of Prof. Ajaib Singh Brar from a remote village of Nathewala in District Moga to Punjabi University, Patiala – UNESCO Fellow -Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi –Vice-Chancellor Lucknow University – and finally to his present position as Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University.
Amongst the distinguished guests, delegates of Punjab Science Congress and faculty and students of the University, Prof. Harjit Singh Professor Emeritus, Dr. Daljit Singh Eye specialist, S. Jagdish Singh, Dr. S.S. Gill, Vice-Chancellor Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Prof. M.P.S. Ishar, Vice-Chancellor Jammu University, Dr. IJS Bansal, Dr. Jagtar Singh president and secretary of Punjab Academy of Sciences respectively, Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Registrar Dr. Rajinderjit Kaur Pawar, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. S.S. Parmar and Prof. M.S. Hundal, former student of Prof. Brar expressed their views about Prof. Brar and appreciated his efforts in bringing revolutionary changes in the academic and research activities of Guru Nanak Dev University.
They paid their gratitude to Prof. Brar for standing this University at third position amongst all Indian Universities while getting the status of University with Potential for Excellence, a recent recognition by UGC with a grant of Rs. 50 crore. Passion and dedication of Prof. Brar for building up the education level of poor, rural class was greatly admired for his efforts of setting education trust and training of 50 students of rural background every year for their entry to National institutes like IITs, IIMs and others. They were of the view that Prof. Brar as a role model, give the message that the zeal of doing something pave the way to destination, through all even and odds.
Dr. (Mrs) Sarvjit Kaur Brar, Lady Vice-Chancellor of the University while expressing her personal experience with Prof. Brar, thanked Dr. D.S. Khair, Ms. Jobenjit and Prof. Perminder Singh for their untired efforts in giving a final shape to the book dedicated to Prof. Brar. Prof. Brar was honored with citations and memento from his students and colleagues. Dr. Pawar honored Mrs (Dr.) Sarvjit Kaur Brar by presenting a shawl.
In the recommendations, the scientists were of the view that though India has emerged as a leader in space technology, nuclear sciences, information technology and a few other disciplines, there is need to re-look at our system of education in scientific research. They were also of the view that a substantial progress has been made in terms of number of research papers published by Indian scientists in various journals of repute but the scientific research in India by and large has not made a large impact in the world. Therefore it is warranted that a scientific pursuit is developed with innovations in science.
The deliberation on pollution in the state of Punjab was also made and suitable strategies were formulated and suggested for the remediation in this Congress. The scholars were also of the view that a significant outcome in the form of need for creating awareness amongst masses is needed, especially among rural population.
For effective scientific pursuits, the scholars suggested, the need to have freedom of thought to the younger lot especially for schools need to be encouraged to take science as profession.
The scientists also resolved that these types of Congresses needed to promote scientific interactions and sharing of information among the various researchers in the state and other parts of the country. This would lead to minimize duplication of research, and provide synergy for advancement of science and technology.
