Tamil Nadu   

Varsity getting ready for Indian Science Congress

Special Correspondent

It is an attempt to take science and technology to rural masses

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

GEARING FOR BIG EVENT: Vice-Chancellor of Annamalai University L.B. Venkatrangan supervising the construction of a massive pandal being put up on the university campus in Chidambaram in connection with Indian Science Congress.

CHIDAMBARAM: Arrangements are being made for hosting the 94th edition of Indian Science Congress from January 3 to 7 at Annnamalai University here. The mega science event is being organised for the first time in a semi-urban place like Chidambaram. Earlier, only the major cities and metropolises used to be venues. It is now being held in the temple town so as to take the advancements in science and technology to the rural masses. The Indian Science Congress Association is the co-host for the programme.

Befitting the event in which over 5,000 delegates from India and abroad would participate, every thing is being organised on a mega scale. For instance, the inaugural session, to be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on January 3, will be held in a richly decorated pandal with a capacity for seating 8,000 people.

The 5,000 square feet podium will be fully air-conditioned to provide utmost comfort to the dignitaries, including President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who would be taking part in the event on January 5.

A helipad has been constructed on the campus for receiving the Prime Minister and the President.

The flooring of the pandal is being paved with cement-concrete slabs so as to provide dust-free environment.

Besides the science exhibition, to be opened on the inaugural day, there will be an exclusive exposition showcasing the innovations of school children.

There will be 250 stalls in the main exhibition that has a special roof made of thick fireproof and waterproof textile. The entire university campus is wearing a festive look, with permanent as well as temporary arches put up to welcome the dignitaries.

Giant-size cut-outs of the VIPs, including the founder Pro-Chancellors Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar and Rajah Muthiah Chettiar, and the present Pro-Chancellor M.A.M. Ramaswamy, have been put up at various points.

Vice-Chancellor L.B. Venkatrangan and senior faculty are personally supervising the arrangements and straining every nerve to see to it that every thing goes well according to schedule.

Given the significance of the event and the number of leading scientists, including two Nobel Laureates, to be attending the event, the law enforcing authorities are keeping a close vigil.

More than 3,000 security personnel will be guarding the venue, and every participant would be thoroughly checked before being let into the venue.

Admission will be strictly restricted and regulated.

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