Hello Everyone,
So finally, I got a chance to visit the Open Day Event at IISC Bangalore, which was held on 28th Feb-2014, which is an annual event held at this premier institute.
IISC needs no introduction, as it is a great institute, but for those, who may not be familiar, here's a brief :
"Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is a premier university for scientific research and higher education located in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore),India. Established in 1899 with active support from Jamshetji Tata it is also locally known as the "Tata Institute".[3] It acquired the status of a Deemed University in 1958. IISc is widely regarded as India's finest institution in its field, and has made significant contribution to advanced computing, space, and nuclear technologies"
Open Days is the occasion where the Institute opens its doors to general public to visit, learn, ask and understand the research-culture here. CSA gladly invites students, professors, lecturers and teachers from various academic institutions and professionals from the Industry, in general - anyone with curiosity.
Tailored to address the wide variety of audience - from school kids to Professors - CSA labs are showcasing their research by displaying posters outside every laboratory describing the work done in the laboratory and the achievements. Project and tool demonstrations, audio-visual presentations in laboratories.
The event indeed summarizes the motto of The IISC Founder, The visionary J N Tata, to promote the culture of Science amongst Indians and in India, to share knowledge, and knowledge as a tool to empower the ordinary masses so that they can transform their own lives.
This really was a wonderful experience as I am a Science lover but does not mean that I don't appreciate other things. I always wanted to visit and look at labs of the institutions, ask question to people, explore things, reason for this being that I used to watch spider man animated series when I was in my teens, and from there I developed Scientific temper and attitude, and what I learned by watching the series was that access to machines, labs, know how things work is an important aspect of doing Science.
Now, a new question arises - What is meant by doing Science? I will say, that Science has to be done. There are processes involved in this, and India lacks here. Indians don't know how to do Science.
The reason that why such events must be held on a regular basis is that until and unless people will not get a chance to look at machines, apparatus, and how Science is done, the Scientific culture will not develop. The exposure to the environment is the way how people learn. When someone is exposed to an environment, then, he/she starts observing things, after observing, then start analysing, and this way, we start to think. When the thinking comes into the process, after that, we try to explore, how things are done, why are they done, where to do it, where to share it, whom to ask.
The best way to nurture a mind is to expose someone at an early age, because, that's the stage when most of human being has malleability, it is very easy to mould. And once, something gets inculcated in someone, then that becomes a habit. According to me Scientific Research is also a habit, as it has to be practised regularly. When someone reaches an age of 30-35, then, to start a new thing is tough, especially in a THIRD WORLD COUNTRY LIKE INDIA, where pressure is always to earn more.
The reason that why such events must be held on a regular basis is that until and unless people will not get a chance to look at machines, apparatus, and how Science is done, the Scientific culture will not develop. The exposure to the environment is the way how people learn. When someone is exposed to an environment, then, he/she starts observing things, after observing, then start analysing, and this way, we start to think. When the thinking comes into the process, after that, we try to explore, how things are done, why are they done, where to do it, where to share it, whom to ask.
The best way to nurture a mind is to expose someone at an early age, because, that's the stage when most of human being has malleability, it is very easy to mould. And once, something gets inculcated in someone, then that becomes a habit. According to me Scientific Research is also a habit, as it has to be practised regularly. When someone reaches an age of 30-35, then, to start a new thing is tough, especially in a THIRD WORLD COUNTRY LIKE INDIA, where pressure is always to earn more.
I will also describe what I observed in the event:
- Innovation centre, which are very well structured. IISC Bangalore has centre for sustainable urban development, modern manufacturing techniques, next generation of computing, the list is incomplete though.
-Demo of experiments showcased by the participants.
-The emphasis was also on the DO IT YOURSELF, where the visitors were encouraged to participate in the experiments, under the expert guidance of the co-ordinators. For me, this was the best part of the event, as it was kept INTERACTIVE. Only when, we have participatory action, then the event becomes exciting, both for the visitor as well as the organiser, as the areas which remain unexplored gets explored, since, there are lot of questions arises in the mind of the people who are doing or trying a thing for the first time in their life.
- Lot of parents came, along with their kids. For me, this is the successful aspect of the event, as parents want their kids to learn the scientific process, and the only way to learn something is to get exposed to it.
- Many college student from the sub-urban and rural part of India also visited, which is another aspect. We all know the Indian education diaspora, and by visiting to such event, especailly, in a place which is the epitome of Science and Technology in our nation, people can learn a lot, not only research culture, but also other aspects, like conducting events at their own college campus, encouraging the local people to visit the event.
- I was delighted when the volunteer of FSMK were present. They showcased many DIY projects, and we discussed on the philosophy of the free/open source software. I liked the caption which they had used:
"He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither."
- Still, I felt that there are lot of gaps. Indian mindset is still geared towards English speaking ability of the people, earning a degree, going to hi-tech school. I would have liked if those people, who don't have any degree, but have sound knowledge of how things work, were present. Or may be, they were there, and I could not, or rather did not get a chance to speak to them, as there were lot of communication gaps between the people, which is negative point.
- Another drawback which I felt was that emphasis was still on western solution, and how to apply in Indian context. According to me, Technology means applying the knowledge of TECHNIQUES to solve a particular problem. Technical problem cannot be separated from the society itself. Technique which solves problem of Germany or France will never work in India. India and Indians have to develop their own Techniques and model to be counted as a strong nation.
- Also, I believe that still the other areas are unexplored, I mean, how Art can be combined with Science. Now, the latest trend in the world is STEAM, not STEM. I believe that if Scientists can have Artistic thinking, then they can create magic.
- Last, but not least, there should been a centre where various policies of Science and Technologies, law, IP rights etcetera are discussed.
Overall, the event was amazing, and I really got to learn lot of OLD things along with the NEW things. This age old ADAGE was kept ALIVE:
"KNOWLEDGE IS SUPREME"
What made me happy about this event is that this held in India, considering that we have a dismal education, such events are needed, especially, at primary education level, so that young minds are exposed to this culture of Scientific Temperament.
If only, Indians can look at the beauty of such events, instead of wasting time on singing and dancing, then, none of us will aim to fly to USA and work, as there are lot of opportunities to work in India, and we will again become a Knowledge Society, as were in the past.
With this, I end this post.
Good Bye and have a great week.
