MADHYA PRADESH VIGYAN SAMMELAN & EXPO (MPVS-2021)

India faces critical challenges as a nation in its march towards a welfare state. Considering the nature of the challenges which are so unique, only rapid strides in the sector of science and technology, in resonance with India’s heritage can meet those challenges. In this context Vijnana Bharati, a science movement with swadeshi spirit has a greater role to play.

Swadeshi Science Movement was started in Indian Institute of Science (Bengaluru) by a few eminent scientists under the guidance of Prof. K I Vasu. This movement gradually gained momentum and emerged as an organization with national presence. In 1991(Oct 20-21) at the Nagpur meet, it was decided to launch the Swadeshi Science Movement at all India Level and named it Vijnana Bharati.

The foundation principle of VIBHA is made as a vibrant movement for the development of Swadeshi Sciences. As a dynamic Science Movement with a Swadeshi Spirit, interlinking traditional and modern sciences on the one hand, and natural and spiritual sciences on the other hand.

As a Swadeshi Movement with modern sciences adapted to national needs. Vijnana Bharati has units across the country and works in different areas through autonomous institutions and independent organizations & also as project entities.

M.P. Council of Science & Technology was established under the MP Society Registration Act, 1973 in October 1981. The Apex body of the Council is the General Body and the Chief Minister is the President of the General Body. There are 61 members consisting of ministers and secretaries of different state departments and heads of the departments of Water resources, PHE, PWD, Forest, Agriculture, Industry and Technical education. In addition, 4 vice-chancellors from universities, eminent scientists in Science, Sociology and Medical Sciences are nominated as members by the president. Representatives from national level research organizations are also nominated. The second important body is the Executive Committee and the Chairman is the Minister of Science & Technology Department. The Committee consists of 13 members, consisting of MLA, educationist, scientist and principal secretaries etc.

The main objective of the Council is:

• To identify area in which Science and Technology can be utilized for achieving the socio-economic objectives of the State and in particular the objectives of tackling the problems of backwardness, unemployment and poverty in the rural areas and among the under-privileged sections of society such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Landless Labour, Artisans, Small and Marginal Farmers and Women.
• To advise the Government on policies and measures necessary to promote utilization of Science and Technology for achievement of the said Socio-economic objectives.
• To initiate, support, promote and coordinate such research and development projects to the achievement of specific objectives and problems and assist in the fruitful exploitation of the natural resources of the state through various institutions and organizations in the state.
• To establish or assist in the establishment of infrastructure (Institutions, Organizations etc.) necessary to science and technology to further the development efforts of the state. To set up and manage documentation centres/libraries.
• To prepare or assist in the preparation of Science and Technology plans and formulate research and development programmes; approve such programmes if received from other institutions and finance and/or aid such projects by means of grants, loans, supply of materials, provision of experts etc.
• To promote the popularization of science spread, scientific temper and attitude among the people of the state and disseminate scientific knowledge by means of pamphlets, brochures, journals, books, films activity kits etc. and to organize seminars, symposium and conferences to promote science and technology.
• To supplement the activities of the State Government in the field of Science & Technology.
• To interact with other State Councils and National Science & Technology bodies with similar or related objectives.
• To take any other steps which are relevant to the application of Science and Technology to the problems of the State and to promote education in Science & Technology.
• To institute prizes and awards for meritorious research and development work in Science and Technology.
• Generally, to take all such measures with the approval of the Council as are likely to accelerate the process of modernization in Madhya Pradesh through the use of Science and Technology inputs.

Besides these objectives/activities Council also advises the government on policies and measures necessary to promote S&T for the achievement of socio-economic objectives of the state and supplement the activities of State Government in the field of S&T. The Council has different divisions and sections viz. Research and Development, Biotechnology Applications Centre, Remote sensing Applications Centre, Patent and Technology Management Centre, Quality Assurance Laboratory etc.

The Council is an apex autonomous body under Science & Technology Department., Govt. of MP. The headquarter is located at Vigyan Bhawan, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal. The Executive Head of the Council is Director General, who is also ex-officio Scientific Advisor to the Govt. of MP.

In keeping with India’s vision to become a world leader in Science and Technology and to usher in a new revolution, resulting in an unprecedented economic growth, Government of India reassessed the need of technical manpower and decided to set up eight new IITs. Six of them started functioning back from the academic year 2008-09. These were established at Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Rajasthan, Ropar, Patna and Bhubaneswar. IIT Indore and IIT Mandi started functioning from July 2009.

IIT Indore focuses on research-oriented studies which puts the foundation for better tomorrow. Along with studies, IIT Indore also focuses on resolving social, economical, biological issues prevailing in the country. IIT Indore, ranked 10th in Engineering Category by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), Ministry of HRD (now Ministry of Education), Govt. of India, has seen phenomenal success in the first decade of its existence. The Institute has been leading in the number of citations and h-index amongst the second generation of IITs.

The Institute has world class research laboratories, infrastructure, and facilities. Apart from research and academic activities, the Institute has done phenomenal work in social outreach too.