New Delhi 05 Jan, 05 Jan (India Science Wire): The 8 th edition of the India International Science
Festival (IISF) is going to be held during 21-24 January 2023, at Maulana Azad National Institute of
Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Scientists, technologists, policymakers, artisans,
startups, farmers, researchers, students, and innovators from India and abroad will participate in the
festival popularly called ‘Vigyan Mahakumbh’.
Union Minister of State for Science & Technology (Independent Charge) and Minister of State
(Independent Charge) for Ministry of Earth Sciences, Minister of State Prime Minister’s Office,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said, “IISF is
a festival to celebrate the achievements of India’s scientific and technological advancements with
students, innovators, craftsmen, farmers, scientists and technocrats from India and abroad.”
Dr Jitendra Singh also called for more Deep Tech startups and startups in newer areas with Indian
signature. “IISF-2022 is vital as it coincides with India assuming the presidency of the G-20. The
activities during the festival will also foster the global theme of G20 – ‘One Earth, One Family, and
One Future’, Dr Singh added.
The theme of this edition of IISF is ‘Marching towards Amrit Kaal with Science, Technology, and
Innovation’. The primary purpose of IISF is the celebration of science by all. Through its creative
programmes and activities, IISF provides an opportunity for the scientific communities and the
general public to come together and experience the joy of doing science for the wellbeing of India
and humanity.
Speaking at the IISF’s ‘Curtain Raiser’ programme held in New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that
several events would be running parallel with the participation of more than 8,000 delegates from
across the country and abroad. Over one lakh local visitors are expected to witness and remember
the festival for its unique grandeur and creativity in science.
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Department of
Atomic Energy (DAE), Department of Space (DoS), Government of India, and Government of Madhya
Pradesh are jointly organising IISF 2022. The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science &
Technology is the nodal coordinating department for the Festival. The Madhya Pradesh Council of
Science and Technology (MPCOST) is the local partner, and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) will be the
Knowledge Partner. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, Department of
Biotechnology, is the nodal agency organising the festival. Like previous editions, several other S&T
Ministries and Departments are also involved in organising the event. Om Prakash Saklecha, Minister
of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Science and Technology in the Government of Madhya
Pradesh, has said that a science colony would be set up especially for the IISF-2022.
IISF is a unique interaction platform for students, scientists, innovators, citizens, policymakers, and
industries, including startups. India has entered the ‘Amrit Kaal’ during which it is essential to make
science more accessible for everyone so that they can participate in the growth of the nation with
the true spirit of Janbhagidari (people’s participation). The theme for this year’s IISF will ignite the
spirit of using science, technology, and innovations to address social issues.
Fifteen different events will be conducted during the festival: Artisan’s Technology Village – Vocal for
Local; Face-to-Face with New Frontiers in Science; Guinness Book of World Records; Mega Science
and Technology Exhibition; National Social Organizations and Institutions Meet (NSOIM); New Age
Technologies Show; Science through Games and Toys; Startup Conclave; State Science & Technology
Councils Conclave; Students’ Innovation Festival (SIF); Students Science Village 2022; VIGYANIKA –
Science Literature Festival; Young Scientists Conference; and 15 Mentoring & Counselling (Scientific
Discussion) sessions, and last buy not the least, the International Science Film Festival of India.
Face-to-face with frontiers of science at IISF-2022 will be a unique opportunity for students, where
they will be able to directly interact with eminent personalities / scientists / industrialists of India.
The event will be an interactive session attended by 1200-1400 students from 8th standard to Post
graduate.
A mentor’s desk would be set up to guide the students and parents about potential innovative
initiatives. In the interest of school children and their parents, the festival will also have a special
section showcasing smart and intelligent toys.
India Science (https://www.indiascience.in), the nation’s own science & technology OTT channel, has
exclusively prepared fifteen short films showcasing the focal themes of all the fifteen events.
IISF-2022 is the eighth edition of the event since its inception in the year 2015. The first and second
editions of IISF were held in New Delhi, the third in Chennai, the fourth in Lucknow, the fifth in
Kolkata, the sixth through virtual mode, and the last IISF in Goa. In 2020, COVID-19 posed a serious
challenge to this annual event. However, the flow of the program was not allowed to be interrupted
by organizing it on a virtual platform. (India Science Wire)