Under the initiative of Durgapur Adda Young Association and in collaboration with “Bigganer Swapokkhay Akhil Bharat Kanthaswar”, a daylong “Science Meet” was held at Nepali Para High School, Durgapur on 9th September 2022. The aim of this “Science Meet” was to educate the students, the difference between ‘Science and Fake Science’ and the ongoing national level propaganda to showcase several false claims in Indian mythology and Purana as science.
Principal of Nepali Para Hindi High School, Dr. Kalimul Haque announced the start of the program. The secretary of the organization explained to the students the aim of this “Science Meet” and why a powerful resistance has to be built against fake science
Dr. Arijit Bishnu, Professor, Indian Statistical Institute, as the inaugural speaker of the event, spoke on the topic “On-Line Education and Digital Challenges”. With help of statistics he showed, how this online education system is gradually taking education beyond the reach of the rural people.
As the second speaker of the program, prominent social researcher and author Mr. Ashok Mukhopadhyay, speaking on the topic “Science vs. Superstition”, highlighted how we should verify everything in the light of science and try to understand the causality real cause of all events.
Shishir Karmakar of ‘Viggyan Manasko’, speaking on the “Climate Crisis”, highlighted the issue of carbon footprint and how it has turned into a profitable business module.
As the last speaker of the program, Dr. Guruprasad Kar, Professor of Indian Statistical Institute, while talking about “History of Development of Knowledge and Science in Ancient India” gave examples of various incidents to show how there is a planned attempt to exaggerate pseudo-scientific claims through false propaganda. He also stressed upon the need to unite; he said that all the scientific minded people of this country must come together without delay to challenge this dangerous tendency to falsify science and demand that the government invest in proper scientific education of its population.
After each speaker’s speech, the panelists answered the questions of the students present. Durgapur Adda Young Association awarded three students based on the quality of their questions.
Apart from the host Nepali Para Hindi High School, 250 students of class VIII, IX and X participated in the science meet from Durgapur Project Boys (NEW) High School, Bidhannagar Girls High School, DVC-DTPS High School and Durgapur TN High School.
Students of Durgapur Adda Young Association’s ‘Sinchon’ initiative presented a song with the message of developing science consciousness; the lyrics and music of this song has been given by the members of the organization.
There was arrangement of lunch for all the students and guests who attended the Science Meet.