I had the privilege of attending the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2022, which was held in Bhopal from January 21 to 24, 2023. It was a four-day long festival marked by 14 events over 8,000 delegates from across the country, and an expected visitor footfall of over lakhs. The theme for IISF 2022 was “Marching towards Amrit Kaal with Science, Technology, and Innovation,” in line with India’s Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations commemorating the country’s 75 years of independence.
The IISF 2022 was an initiative of the Ministry of Science & Technology and the Ministry of Earth Science of the Government of India in association with Vijnana Bharati, which is a science movement with a swadeshi spirit led by eminent scientists of the country. The main purpose of IISF 2022 was to celebrate the achievements of India’s scientific and technological advancements with students, innovators, craftsmen, farmers, scientists, and technocrats from India and abroad. It also provided opportunities to people and the scientific fraternity in the country and abroad to come together, work together, and experience the joy of doing science for the well-being of India and humanity.
I was amazed by the variety and quality of the events and activities that were organized during the festival. Some of the highlights for me were:
- Artisan’s Technology Village – Vocal for Local: This event showcased the traditional knowledge and skills of Indian artisans and craftsmen, who displayed their products and innovations in various domains such as textiles, pottery, handicrafts, agriculture, etc. It also provided a platform for interaction and collaboration between artisans and scientists to promote indigenous technologies and innovations.
- VIGYANIKA – Science Literature Festival: This event celebrated the rich and diverse literature on science and technology in various languages and genres. It featured book exhibitions, book launches, panel discussions, workshops, lectures, poetry recitals, storytelling sessions, etc. by renowned authors, poets, editors, publishers, translators, etc. It also honored the winners of various awards and competitions on science writing.
- International Science Film Festival of India (ISFFI): This event promoted the recognition and appreciation of the efforts of filmmakers who create scientific and innovative content. It screened more than 200 films from over 40 countries on various themes such as environment, health, energy, water, agriculture, etc. It also organized filmmaking workshops, master classes, interactions with filmmakers and jury members, etc.
- Science through Games and Toys: This event demonstrated how games and toys can be used as effective tools for learning science concepts and developing a , scientific temper. It displayed various games and toys based on science principles such as gravity, magnetism, electricity, sound, light, etc. It also involved hands-on activities for making simple games and toys using low-cost materials.
- Startup Conclave: This event provided a platform for showcasing innovative products, projects, and ideas developed by students from various educational institutions across the country. It also facilitated mentoring sessions, networking opportunities, investor pitches, etc. for aspiring entrepreneurs
My Selection in IISF:
Holiness poster-algebra inspires holiness presentation in Young Scientist Conference of IISF 2022. I presented my work entitled “The Fundamental Group of Topological Space” through poster presentation under the theme Frontier Areas of Science Research.
The Young Scientist Conference was a platform for young researchers and students to showcase their original and innovative research work in various fields of science and technology. It was organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, which is part of IISF 2022.
The theme for the Young Scientist Conference was Frontier Areas of Science Research, which covered topics such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology, quantum computing, etc. The conference aimed to provide an opportunity for young scientists to interact with eminent scientists and experts, learn from their experiences and insights, and get feedback and guidance on their research work.
My poster presentation on “The Fundamental Group of Topological Space” was about a mathematical concept that measures the degree of “loopiness” or “holiness” of a topological space. Topology is a branch of mathematics that studies the properties of shapes and spaces that are preserved under continuous deformations, such as stretching, twisting, bending, etc. For example, a circle has one loop, a torus (doughnut shape) has two loops, and a sphere has no loops. The fundamental group is useful for classifying and distinguishing different topological spaces.
I chose this topic because I have always been fascinated by geometry and its applications to various fields of science and engineering. I wanted to explore the abstract and general aspects of topology and how they relate to the concrete and specific examples of shapes and spaces. I also wanted to learn more about the techniques and tools of algebraic topology, which uses algebraic structures such as groups, rings, and modules to study topological spaces.
The challenges and difficulties I faced while working on this topic were mainly related to the level of mathematical rigor and abstraction required to understand and prove theorems and results. I had to read a lot of books and papers on topology and algebra inspiresinspiresinspires and consult with my mentors and peers for clarifications and doubts. I also had to practice a lot of problems and exercises to test my understanding and improve my skills.
The results and implications of my work were mainly theoretical and conceptual, rather than practical or applied. However, I believe that my work contributed to the advancement of knowledge and understanding of topology and its connections with other branches of mathematics. I also hope that my work inspiresacknowledgments other students and researchers to pursue their interests and curiosity in this field.
I prepared my poster by following the guidelines and instructions provided by the organizers of the conference. I used a software tool called LaTeX to create a professional-looking layout and design for my poster. I included the following sections in my poster: title, abstract, introduction, main results, examples, applications, conclusion, references, acknowledgmentsCulture, etc. I also used diagrams, graphs, tables, etc. to illustrate and explain my work.
The feedback I received from the audience and the judges was very positive and encouraging. They appreciated my work and asked me some questions about the details and implications of my results. They also gave me some suggestions for improvement and further research. They praised me for my clarity, confidence, and enthusiasm in presenting my work.
CultureonCultureon Sufi Event in IISF:
Another highlight of the festival for me was the musical night, orchestra, and other cultural events that happened in the evening. They were very wonderful and entertaining, as they showcased the diversity and richness of India’s culture and heritage. They also provided a relaxing and enjoyable break from the academic sessions.
One of the performers on Sufi, musical night was Kailash Kher, who is my favorite singer. He is a famous Indian singer and music composer, who is known for his unique and powerful voice, music, and style. He has sung songs in various languages and genres, such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, etc., and pop, rock, folk, sufi, classical, etc. He has also won several awards and accolades for his work.
I was thrilled to see him live on stage, as he sang some of his popular songs such as “Teri Deewani”, “Allah Ke Bande”, “Saiyyan”, “Tauba Tauba”, etc. His voice was mesmerizing and captivating, as he expressed various emotions and moods through his songs. He also interacted with the audience in a friendly and humorous way, making them laugh and clap along with him. The atmosphere was very lively and energetic, as everyone enjoyed his performance.
I also participated in the orchestra and other cultural events that were organized by different groups of students from various states and regions of India. They displayed their talents and skills in music, dance, drama, art, etc. It was a great opportunity for me to learn about different cultures and traditions of India, and also to share mine with others. I made some new friends and contacts who share my passion for science and culture.
Accommodation and Food :
One of the things that made my stay at the festival more comfortable and pleasant was the amazing food, dinner, breakfast, poster-algebrathe, and accommodation that were provided by the IISF organization. They arranged for a variety of delicious dishes from different cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, Continental, etc. that catered to different tastes and preferences of the delegates. They also ensured that the food was hygienic, nutritious, and fresh. The dinner was especially enjoyable as it was accompanied by live music and cultural performances by local artists.
The accommodation was also very comfortable and convenient. They provided us with spacious rooms with all the necessary amenities such as beds, blankets, pillows, towels, toiletries, etc. They also provided us with free Wi-Fi access, TV sets, newspapers, magazines, etc. The rooms were cleaned regularly and maintained well. The staff was very courteous and helpful. They attended to our needs and requests promptly and efficiently.
Experience :
The IISF 2022 was a memorable experience for me as it exposed me to the latest developments and trends in science and technology in India and abroad. It also inspired me to pursue my passion for science and innovation with more enthusiasm and dedication. I would like to thank the organizers and partners of IISF 2022 for making this festival possible