The 12th National Women’s Science Congress (NWSC) began here on Thursday. The conference marks the birth anniversaries of Marie Curie and C.V. Raman.
The three-day science congress is being organised by Matru Vedike (Women Scientists’ Forum) of Swadeshi Vijnana Andolana-Karnataka and SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, on the PG campus of the college on KRS Road.
On the occasion, Muthayya Vanitha, project director, Chandrayaan-2, ISRO, was conferred the Marie Curie Mahila Vijnana Puraskara while N. Kalaiselvi, director, CSIR-Central Electro Chemical Research Institute, Karaikudi, was presented the C.V. Raman Mahila Vijnana Puraskara.
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Indira Narayanaswamy, former scientist-G and technology director, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bengaluru, inaugurated the event. T. Vijayalakshmi Muralidhar, honorary secretary, Mahajana Education Society, presided while Y.S. Gayathri, chairperson of Matru Vedike, and P. Sarojamma, vice-chairperson of 12th NWSC, were present.
Ms. Kalaiselvi delivered a talk on lithium-ion battery while Ms. Vanitha spoke on the contributions of India to space science and technology. Ms. Vanitha said Chandrayaan-2 had brought the entire nation together and people supported ISRO for its milestone achievement despite issues with the lander.
Vijnana Nele, a souvenir of the 12th NWSC, was released. Talks on various topics will continue on Friday, with the first session by Devika Janardhan, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, on ‘Women’s wellness: Myths and realities’ scheduled for 9.30 a.m.
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The valedictory function will be held on at 12 noon on Saturday. Midatala Rani, professor of Political Science and director, UGC-HRDC, University of Mysore, will deliver the valedictory address. This will be followed by a feedback session with delegates about the conference and the presentation of best paper awards. The organisers will issue participation certificates to all the delegates after the valedictory programme.