Children Science Festival inaugurated | Need to change mindset about employment prospects: Dr Jitendra

Jammu, Nov 6: Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Monday emphasised the need to change the mindset that only government jobs constituted real employment.

He stated that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given huge impetus to start ups which were providing employment to the youth across the world. The Union Minister was speaking to the media after inaugurating the “Children Science Festival” organized here today by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM).

He also emphasised the harnessing of young aptitudes, while underlying the significance of CSIR-IIIM, which he described as the oldest institute and credited it with introducing mint and Aroma Mission at the global platform. After inaugurating festival, Dr Jitendra, who is also the Union Minister of state (independent charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy & Department of Space and Vice President CSIR, also took a round of the stalls in the exhibition put up on the occasion and witnessed different kinds of science models prepared by the students.

The students drawn from the schools of Jammu region had also scripted slogans under the themes like health and wellness; water conservation; waste management and ‘Save mother earth.’

While addressing the school students, Dr. Jitendra narrated how the Jigyasa programme was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a new India and Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) of Scientific Community and Institutions. Jigyasa is a student - scientist connect programme implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).

He applauded the efforts of CSIR-IIIM for organizing such outreach activities for students from schools and colleges. He said that such activities would help to increase the scientific aptitude and inculcate the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in young minds. He also distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions organized during the Children Science Festival.

Dr Jitendra said that India’s first Virtual Science Lab for Children under CSIR Jigyasa Programme was launched, which built a strong connect between students and scientists with scientists across the country. He also said that the main objective of establishing the Virtual Lab was to provide quality research exposure and innovative pedagogy for school students based on an online interactive medium. He said that the new facility would immensely benefit students from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and government schools of various states boards and would help in catching them young.

Today, in the Children Science Festival, more than 350 students from about 55 schools under the government of J&K, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodya Vidyalayas, Army Public Schools, Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Schools, etc, from various districts of Jammu region showcased their talent in various competitions. Students of Seva Bharti, an NGO that provides free education and vocational training to children from economically weaker sections of society, displayed various products developed under the ‘Waste to Wealth’ theme.