The India International Science Festival (IISF), which aims to provide scientific temper among children, particularly those from rural areas, will begin here next week.
The festival is being organised by the Union Science and Technology Ministry and RSS-linked Vijnan Bharati (VIBHA).
During the second edition of the IISF, to be held between December 7 and December 11 at National Physical Laboratory here, the Ministry will also organise training programmes to promote "cashless society" concept among the festival visitors in the wake of demonetisation.
Speaking to reporters here, Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Harsh Vardhan, said the government also aims to create world record of 1,000 students, dressed as Albert Einstein, demonstrating the world renowned scientist's theories and works.
The current record has gathering of 500 Einstein look-alikes demonstrating his works, the Minister said.
"We are trying to make this science festival bigger in every scale. We aim to encourage and develop scientific temper and attitude, promote exchange of ideas among young minds, showcasing country's contribution in science," the Minister said.
The IISF will be inaugurated by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while Israel's Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis will also visit the festival.
The IISF will have events lined up such as Young Scientists Conclave, Mega Science and Technology Exposition, Scientific Workshops including DST-INSPIRE national-level camp, international science film festival, industry-academia interactive meet and a new concept of Science Village.
More than 10,000 people including 5,000 young scientists (those aged below 45), 3,000 children from rural India and 600 foreign students are expected to take part in the festival for which the government has increased budget to around Rs 12 crore from Rs 4 crore last year.
"Village-related technologies, which have been developed or to be developed will be showcased during the festival. We have to see people's problem, particularly those of villages are solved through science. The science village will focus on that," the Minister added.
VIBHA secretary general A Jayakumar, who accompanied the Minister during the briefing, said students from 200-300 schools are expected to visit the Science Village.
"Besides, a meeting of NGOs will also be held. We have invited 100 NGOs working for betterment for society through science and technology to take part in the festival," he said.
Vardhan said the Ministry has taken initiative to spread
awareness of cashless transactions at its level.
It now plans to conduct activities at the festival to train visitors about cashless society in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "historic" demonetisation move, he said.
"We are going to organise training and motivation programmes to promote cashless society among those visiting the science festival. A cell will be formed for such activities. It is our modest target towards making people get into cashless transactions," he said.
The Minister said he has requested all Parliamentarians to visit the festival and help spread "message of science to the masses".
