3 weeks ago
Science congress meets Vivekananda's Vedanta, aligns with Viswakarma Puja
The government of West Bengal in India is planning a big science meeting called a science congress.
It will happen on September 16 and 17 at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
Scientists, teachers, and students will get together to talk about science and share their research.
This year, the meeting is planned for the same time as a festival called Viswakarma Puja.
Viswakarma is a god who is believed to have helped builders and inventors long ago.
The government says science should help ordinary people, following the teachings of a wise man named Swami Vivekananda.
Everyone is being asked to talk about science in Bengali, the local language.
The science congress used to happen in February, but this year it will happen in September instead.
The government says it will use the same September dates every year from now on.
State science and technology minister Kalyan Chakraborti announced the 33rd West Bengal State Science and Technology Congress will be held on September 16 and 17 at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
The congress dates are aligned with Viswakarma Puja (September 17), and the September 16-18 window will be fixed for future annual congresses.
Chakraborti said the government will follow both science and the 'practical Vedanta of Swami Vivekananda,' which he said teaches service to humankind (jiba prem).
Participants have been appealed to hold discussions and present research papers in Bengali to spread science education in the language.
The minister said the previous Trinamool government had failed to organise the congress in February, and the department wants to create opportunities for scientists who left the state.
- Who
- West Bengal science and technology minister Kalyan Chakraborti, minister of state Moumita Biswas Misra, and department secretary Nandini Chakravorty, who met university vice-chancellors to chart a roadmap.
- What
- The 33rd West Bengal State Science and Technology Congress will be held on September 16-17, aligned with Viswakarma Puja, with discussions and research papers in Bengali and a theme linking science with the practical Vedanta of Swami Vivekananda.
- Where
- Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in West Bengal.
- When
- September 16-17, with the September 16-18 window fixed for all future annual congresses; the event was earlier held on February 28, National Science Day.
- Why
- To make science serve common people, spread science education in Bengali, and create opportunities for scientists who had left the state due to a lack of research environment.
Secular science advocates
Government's 'science and Vedanta' approach
Aligning a science event with religion
Secular science advocates
A science congress should keep science separate from religion; invoking Swami Vivekananda's Vedanta and aligning the event with Viswakarma Puja mixes faith into a scientific forum.
Government's 'science and Vedanta' approach
The minister says the practical Vedanta teaches service to humankind and that Viswakarma, worshipped by traditional craftspeople or regarded by some as an ancient creator, played a special role in the growth of science and technology.
Moving the congress from National Science Day
Secular science advocates
The event had traditionally been held on February 28, celebrated as National Science Day across India, and shifting it breaks with that national tradition.
Government's 'science and Vedanta' approach
The minister expressed surprise that the previous Trinamool government did not organise the congress in February and said the September 16-18 window will remain fixed from now on.
Bengali as the congress language
Secular science advocates
Presenting research mainly in Bengali could limit the reach of the congress to a wider, international scientific audience.
Government's 'science and Vedanta' approach
The minister wants to spread science education in Bengali and cited Rabindranath Tagore's Bengali convocation address at Calcutta University as a precedent.
Key facts
- Congress
- 33rd West Bengal State Science and Technology Congress
- Dates
- September 16-17
- Venue
- Biswa Bangla Convention Centre
- Aligned with
- Viswakarma Puja (September 17)
- Fixed future window
- September 16-18
- Previous date
- February 28 (National Science Day)
- Working language
- Bengali
- Theme
- Science and the practical Vedanta of Swami Vivekananda
Quotes
Kalyan Chakraborti
West Bengal State Science and Technology Minister
“We will follow science and Vedanta. The practical Vedanta of Swami Vivekananda teaches service to humankind (jiba prem). Science should serve common people and solve their day‑to‑day problems.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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