In advertisements across newspapers, it was a beaming picture of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that announced the launch of the 9th edition of Bengaluru India Nano, the country’s premier nanosciences conference, in the city on Thursday.
However, when the Chief Minister himself chose a political programme over the conference, eminent scientists took the opportunity to discuss science in a world of apathetic politics.
Eminent scientist C.N.R. Rao and chief mentor of the event, said in his trademark humour that the Chief Minister would have been more “relaxed” if he had attended the conference. “It is (after all) important to give attention to science,” he said.
Similarly, Paul S. Weiss, professor at the California NanoSystems Institute, the University of California, Los Angeles, who is also one of the foremost experts in the field of nanotechnology, emphasised the need for scientists to band together, particularly considering global politics.
“The world is in a perilous place currently, and it is incumbent upon scientists to discuss, spread the word, and sometimes undermine our politicians when they take us to dangerous places... The world is in a paralysis state at present, science can bridge this gap that we have created,” he said.
However, newly appointed Chief Secretary K. Ratna Prabha assuaged the large gathering of scientists and explained that while Mr. Siddaramaiah wanted to attend, his whirlwind tour programme had prevented him. “Karnataka is the top destination for investment in the country, and one of the reasons is the Research and Development sector. We will continue to support science and technology in the State and maintain our position as leaders in the field,” she said. Ashok K. Ganguli, Director of the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, was awarded the C.N.R. Rao Bengaluru India Nano Science 2017 award for his research that saw over 250 research papers and four patents being filed.
The three-day event will see the participation of over 30 speakers and 500 delegates from industry, academia, and research.
This year, the focus is on the youth, with sessions for them on ‘Nano for the Young’ (for degree students to draw them into the field of nanoscience) and Nano SparX (for startups and young researchers), apart from awards for 10 young researchers.
