The 107th edition of the Indian Science Congress (ISC) was recently held in Bengaluru.
What does the ISC aim at?
The formation of the congress pre-dates the Indian republic.
However, it was the intellectual nursery of modern science in the country.
Early ideas of how science and technology could aid the development of the new nation were initiated at this gathering of scientists.
It is for this reason that the congress is inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
It is normally held in the first week of January.
What is the change in trend?
The nature of the congress where scientists congregated to exchange scientific ideas has changed.
It is today becoming a ‘science mela’.
The prime purpose of the ISC now is to draw school and science college students to hear Nobel Laureates and Indian-origin scientists from abroad.
It lectures about their work and the future prospects of science.
The other draws are science projects and innovations by schoolchildren and stalls showcasing scientific work being done in key national laboratories and institutions.
What is the recent concern?
In recent years, the congress often makes news for becoming a forum for pseudoscience and less for interesting scientific ideas or demonstrations.
Speakers have tended to mix mythology and science and publicise far-fetched assertions.
E.g. the Kauravas were born from stem-cell technology and the Vedas discussed avionics
This has eroded the congress’s public image.
The exhibits at several scientific laboratories too are re-runs from old congresses, or from similar and past science fairs.
Many laboratories showcase their work as ‘posters’ rather than actually showing demonstrations or working inventions.
Several top personalities of India’s science establishments who have represented or at least had their organisation present a dedicated talk or session, were absent this year.
What is the way forward?
It is inevitable that traditions change over time and the relative importance accorded to institutions wax and wane.
However, this must make way for inspiring new ideas, or new models of taking science to the public.
A rising trend in science displays, at museums or exhibitions in many places, is to mix science and art.
Making interactive displays that encourage audience engagement is also the trend.
In this light, the Indian Science Congress too needs new ideas, and not a mix of myth and pseudoscience.
