Ajay Chaturvedi 
A mega science exhibition ‘Pride of India’, a key attraction in the 108TH Indian Science Congress was inaugurated by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh in Nagpur on Tuesday. Pride of India is a grand expo to present the scientific progress achieved by the public and private entities. As many as 150 scientific organizations from across the country are participating in this expo which is spread across 9000 sq. mt. The major attractions will be the pavilions of Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) & Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) where actual scale models of rockets, missiles and satellite transponders are exhibited. Leading R&D Institutions like Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and PSUs functioning in diverse streams of science such as Nuclear Power Corporation of India, WCL, NHAI, ECIL, Indian Oil are going to showcase their latest works and initiatives. Corporate giants & MNCs like Tata Steel & Primus will woo the young professionals to their pavilions.
Union Minister Dr SIngh also inaugurated an exhibition of rare ancient artefacts on the sidelines of the 108th Indian Science Congress being hosted in Nagpur by Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University. Amidst the displays of scientific developments the university also put up this expo showcasing the rich heritage of India and Vidarbha. Vice Chancellor Dr Subhash Chaudhari, Pro VC Dr. Sanjay Dudhe, Registrar Dr. Raju Hiwase and Hod Dr. Preety Trivedi were among those present at the exhibition’s inauguration. The students of the department have put up various stalls in the premises that talk about the rich cultural heritage of India.On display are stone tool manufacturing techniques of the prehistoric period, rock art, burials etc. The museum at the department’s Rai Bahadur Hiralal Archaeological Museum established in 1992. Dr. Trivedi said that every antiquity in this museum is original and is excavated by the department itself. She also said that the concept of the museum is to develop it into a research and archaeology centre.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has brought a special attraction to the 108th Indian Science Congress which began in Nagpur.It’s Space on Wheels Bus is becoming the centre of attraction providing information about the mission of the Indian Space Research Organization and space travel. In this, visitors get to see glimpses of Chandrayaan-1 mission, Mangalyaan mission, various satellites launched in space and the total space journey of ISRO so far.Scientific methods to execute the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions, information about the mission and the challenges faced in the execution of this mission are given through the screens installed in this vehicle. There are some interesting space photographs of world cities, including Vatican City, Doha, Dubai, and Washington DC.The aim of this mobile exhibition is to create awareness about ISRO among the general public and generate interest in science among the youth.
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