Dehradun, February 28, 2024: The concluding day of the three-day Innovation Festival, coupled with Science Day celebrations, resonated with enthusiasm at the Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology (UCOST). Hon’ble Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Shri Gurmit Singh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, marking the event’s significance.
The day commenced with a Science March by students, advocating for Public Awareness on Current Science and Technology Issues, from Suddhowala Chowk to Vigyan Dham, Jhajra with students from various schools and UCOST staff.
Prof. Om Prakash Singh Negi, Vice Chancellor of Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani, gave the welcome address.
Prof. Durgesh Pant, Director General of UCOST, highlighted the 18th Science Congress and accentuated the importance of the Silkayara Framework, a significant step towards fostering resilience.
The prestigious Uttarakhand Vigyan Purodha Sammaan 2024 was conferred upon distinguished individuals Dr. Bahadur Singh Bisht, eminent educationist, Dr. Harshvanti Bisht, mountaineer Arjuna Award winner, Dr. Kamal K. Pande, educationist, Dr. K.D. Purohit, State President of Vigyan Bharati and Adviser, RUSA Uttarakhand, Mrs. Premlata Bourai is an educationist, principle GGIC, Dehradun, Mr. Rajender Singh Negi, IT & AT Educator, Visual Impaired by Hon’ble Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Shri Gurmit Singh.
The Valedictory Ceremony of the 18th Uttarakhand State Science and Technology Congress 2024 acknowledged outstanding achievements across diverse disciplines. Namely AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 1st Ms Roopam Kunwar 2nd Ms Akanksha Ruhela (oral), 1st Ms Krishna (poster), BIOTECHNOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY & MICROBIOLOGY – 1st Ms Yogita Bisht (oral), 1st Mr Saif Ali, 2nd Mr Vibhash Dhyani (poster), Botany, Environmental Science and Forestry 1st Ms Shweta Rawat
, (oral), 1st Ms Reetika Binjola (poster), -CHEMISTRY- 1st Ms Samiksha Bisht (oral), 1st Ms Kavita Mishra, 2nd Mr Ankit Pandey (poster), EARTH SCIENCES INCLUDING GEOLOGY, GEOMORPHOLOGY, GEOPHYSICS, GLACIOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY- 1st Ms Pooja 2nd Ms Sita Bora (oral), 1st Ms Pooja Chand (poster), Engineering Sciences, Material Science and Nano Technology- 1st Ms Diksha Bhatt, 2nd Mr Dakuri Ramakanth (oral), 1st Mr Rohit Kumar, 2nd Ms Shreejaya Sivadas (poster), Home Science, Health and Nutrition- 1st Ms Anjali Danai 2nd Ms Nidhi (oral), 1st Ms Charu Bisht, 2nd Ms Premlata (poster), MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE- 1st Ms Diksha Dumka, 2nd Mr Anurag Bhatt (oral), 1st Ms Avantika Gaur, 2nd Ms Radha (poster), MEDICAL SCIENCE AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE- 1st Ms Esther Lalringzo 2nd Ms Sikha Morang (oral), 1st Ms Riyakshi Negi, Physics- 1st Mr Pramesh Tamta RURAL SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY- 1st Ms Shefali Tripathi, 2nd Ms Sugandha (oral), 1st Mr Ankit Sati, 2nd Mr Bipin Sati (poster), ZOOLOGY, VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY- 1st Ms Shobha Upreti 2nd 1st Ms Ranjana Goswami, 2nd Ms Sangeeta Rawat (poster), Vedic, Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge Systems – 2nd Mr Abhishek Jamloki, 1st (poster ) Mr Sachin Kumar
INNOVATORS OF THE YEAR- Mr Hemant Kumar Sharma G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar Uttarakhand.
In the Exhibition of Innovative Ideas/Product/Process, Dr. Brijesh Prasad from Graphic Era University, Dehradun secured the first position for his Pine Needle Project, while Devendra Singh from Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, claimed the second spot for his Talking Plant project. Piyush Chauhan from THDC-IHET, New Tehri, emerged victorious in the Problem-Solving Contest. In the Quiz Competition, the first position was shared by two teams: one from Sapience School, Vikasnagar, Dehradun, comprising Aryan Goyal, Priyanka Chhetri, and Sambhavi Kathait, and another from Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, consisting of Rohit Bagri, Atul Anand, and Harshita Chauhan. In the Innovative Idea – Poster Presentation category, Sukalp Dabral from the School of Design, Doon University, secured the first position, followed by Ananya Tyagi from DAV Public School, Haridwar, in the second position, and Reyansh Joshi from Vivekanand School, Dehradun, in the third position. Additionally, Shri Vijay Mehra, a senior citizen and innovator of the 400-year cycle calendar, received the Consolation Prize.
Hon’ble Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Shri Gurmit Singh in his address, stressed the paramount importance of advancing in the economy and realizing our aspirations. He underscored that science and technology serve as pivotal assets in this pursuit. Highlighting the significance of collective dreams shared across generations, particularly among the youth, he emphasized that such dreams drive unstoppable development. Calling Vigyan Dham a temple of knowledge, significance of nurturing rural talent and advocating being Vocal for Local to Make it Global.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. D.P. Uniyal, Joint Director of UCOST. The event was skilfully hosted by RJ Kaavya, with Dr. G. S. Rawat, Emeritus Scientist at UCOST, adding further grace to the proceedings.
More than 300 students, teachers and experts from institutions like Dolphin PG College, Tulas Institute, HIT Dehradun, Graphic Era University etc. participated.
