Panaji is set to host a major scientific gathering aimed at young minds. The seventh edition of the Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav will see the participation of at least 4,300 students from schools and colleges across Goa. The festival, dedicated to fostering a scientific temperament, will feature lectures from some of India's most eminent scientists.
Star-Studded Lineup of Scientists
The event boasts an impressive roster of speakers, including former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Anil Kakodkar, and former chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), A S Kiran Kumar. They will deliver insightful talks on various advancements in science and technology, aiming to ignite curiosity among the attendees.
A key highlight will be the conferment of the third Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist Award. This year's recipient is Sai Gautam Gopalakrishnan, an associate professor in the department of material engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Notably, Gopalakrishnan is a metallurgist, a field shared by the late Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, in whose honour the festival is held.
The award selection was made by a committee chaired by Anil Kakodkar, which evaluated over 50 applicants under the age of 35.
Decentralised Model for Wider Reach
Jose Manuel Noronha, chairman of the celebration committee, outlined the unique structure of this year's Mahotsav. While the main event will be held at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Dona Paula, lectures will be conducted simultaneously at eight other centres across Goa.
"This decentralised approach ensures that students from all corners of Goa can benefit directly from the expertise of our scientists," Noronha explained. The other venues include Manovikas High School in Margao, GVM’s College in Farmagudi, Government College in Quepem, Harmal Panchakroshi High School in Pernem, Lata Mangeshkar Kalangan in Canacona, Government College in Sanquelim, BITS Pilani Goa campus in Zuarinagar, and Gomantak Vidhyalaya in Usgao.
Noronha emphasized the festival's core mission: "The Mahotsav is designed to foster scientific temperament and curiosity among students, allowing them to choose a career in science in the future." He added that students will get a chance to interact directly with the scientists during Q&A sessions. A short film on Manohar Parrikar's contributions to science, technology, and education will also be released.
Schedule and Livestream Details
Harish Adconkar, the director of science and technology, provided the schedule for the key event day. The keynote address by A S Kiran Kumar, Anil Kakodkar, and the Yuva Scientist awardee Sai Gautam Gopalakrishnan will be livestreamed from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM on December 18.
Following this, at 11:20 AM, expert lectures will commence concurrently at all the other nine venues. The event at the NIO will also see the participation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and NIO Goa director Sunil Singh.
This large-scale scientific outreach program represents a significant effort by the Goa government to inspire the next generation of innovators and researchers, keeping alive the scientific spirit championed by the late Manohar Parrikar.
