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Summer School and Vacation
Training Programme - 2011
The National Academy of
Sciences, India (NASI), like every year this year also
jointly organized 21 days Summer School (under Science
Communication Programme of NASI) and Vacation Training
Programme (under DNA Club Project) from June 4-24, 2011. The
theme of this year’s programme was ‘Advancements in Science
& Technology and Study of the natural resources’.
The hot spot of the
natural resources (Nainital, Uttarakhand) was, therefore,
the ideal place to start with. The Inaugural Function was
held at Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational
Sciences (ARIES), Nainital on June 5, 2011, Prof. V. P.
Sharma, ICMR Chair Distinguished Professor, NASI, was the
Chief Guest; and Prof. S. L. Srivastava, Coordinator,
Science Communication Programme, NASI presided over the
function. Prof. Ram Sagar, Director, ARIES delivered the
inaugural address. The other distinguished persons present
on the occasion were Prof. U. C. Srivastava, Convener,
Summer School, Dr. K.P. Singh, Dr. Sharda Sundaram, Dr.
Niraj Kumar, Executive Secretary, NASI, Dr. Santosh Shukla,
AES, NASI, Dr. Hum Chand, Dr. Manish Naja, Dr. Abhisek
Srivastava (Scientists from ARIES), the students and
teachers participants and NASI officials. Before the
Inaugural Function, the registration of the selected
participants from 25 districts of U.P., M.P. and Bihar was
done in the evening of 4th June, 2011 at Bareilly after a
formal gathering in the Guest House of Sri Hari Mandir,
Model Town, Bareilly. 110 teachers and students participated
in the program.
During the Inaugural
Function Prof. Ram Sagar informed that during this summer
school programme at ARIES, Nainital, the participants are to
be made aware of the atmospheric studies especially through
the “Gangaes Valley Aerosol Experiments (GVAX)”. He
emphasized that Gangetic Basin experiences a mixture of
various aerosol types throughout the seasons; and these
aerosols make different types of impact on the formation of
clouds and energy transfer in the atmosphere. Data from GVAX
will allow us to test hypotheses such as whether warming by
black carbon aerosols will reduce cloud cover, and certain
changes in atmospheric chemistry may hinder the ability of
clouds to form on aerosol particles. Prof. V. P. Sharma
while making his remarks on the theme of “Advancement in
Science & Technology”, highlighted the aim of Summer School
to provide advanced workshop training in the study of
socio-scientific skills/techniques; and outlined the
remarkable milestones achieved by NASI under its Science
Communication Programme, which is providing a platform to
the students to interact with a number of internationally
renowned scholars from diversified fields in Science.
Chief Guest Prof .VP Sharma addressing at
ARIES Presidential address by Prof SL Srivastava at ARIES
Dr. Niraj Kumar, Prof.S.L. Srivastava, Prof.
V.P. Sharma, Prof. Ram Sagar, Prof. U.C. Srivastava
(Left to right) on the dais.
Prof. S. L. Srivastava
delivered his presidential address and emphasized that the
increase in population, environmental pollution and over
exploitation of natural resources are responsible for the
global warming. He urged the participants to prepare
projects how to reduce the demand of energy and increase the
alternative eco-friendly energy sources.
Prof. U. C. Srivastava,
Convener of the Summer School conducted the inaugural
session and described in detail the 21 days activity map
prepared for the school. He further expressed that the
participating students and teachers have the opportunity to
learn about the observational studies at ARIES, as well as
about the Aquatic, Hill & Forest Biodiversity in and around
Nainital. Dr. Niraj Kumar, PI, DNA Club Project at NASI,
expressed his deep gratitude towards Dr. Ram Sagar,
Director, ARIES; and proposed a vote-of-thanks. After the
inaugural session, the participants were divided into two
groups; and parallel programmes for both the groups were
organized from June 5-7, 2011.
On June 6, 2011; during
the visit to the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM)
Mobile facility Centre, participants were introduced to the
US scientists and practically observed the instrumentation
and data communications systems for climate studies.
Students were also involved in space-launching of
specifically designed balloon for data collection.
Photo: Installation of ARM Mobile Facility at
ARIES, Nainital
Photo: Launching of balloon carrying
electronic gadget for atmospheric data collection
To improve the knowledge
base and interest of the young talented students; and to
attract them towards research in these areas, distinguished
scientists of ARIES & NASI, delivered popular science
lecture on the related topics.
The Night Time Sky
Watching by the 104cm optical telescope, known as the
Sampurnanand telescope was the centre of attraction for the
participants for the photometric, spectrophotometric and
polarimetric observations. It was equipped with modern
instruments like cooled CCD camera, spectrophotometer and
filters etc. There was also a 15cm Solar Tower Telescope
equipped with Bernhard Halle Hα filter and fast CCD Camera,
for the study of solar flares.
104
cm. Optical telescope observed by Prof. V.P. Sharma &
Summer School/ VTP students
15cm Solar Tower Telescope
Summer School/VTP students at ARIES library
Dr. Manish Naja (ARIES)
delivered his talk on “Air Pollution, Green House Gases and
Climate Change”. Dr Naja described the aerosols as suspended
particulates in the atmosphere capable to modify the local
climate through different mechanisms. He also explained how
to measure the vertical distributions of ozone and
meteorological parameters using balloon-borne sensors.
Prof. Ram Sagar also
delivered a lecture on “Optical Telescope: An eye to sky
since 1609”. Prof. Sagar introduced the participants about
the journey from the conventional telescope to the modern
telescope as well as its advantages in the studies in
Optical Astrophysics; and informed that Ground based optical
telescopes as big as ~ 40 meter are being designed and ~ 100
meter are under planning.
Dr. Hum Chand,
Scientist, ARIES, delivered his lecture on “Stars. Galaxies
and Cosmology: An Overview” and described the origin, birth,
growth, maturity and death of stars very interestingly.
During his lecture he highlighted the Stellar Nursery, Red
Gaints, Supernova types of Galaxies, Universe expansion and
its composition, Dark Matter and Dark Energy; and Carrier in
Astronomy. This lecture was followed by an audio-visual show
on ‘Magic Year (Jadueevars), A documentary film on A.
Einstein’.
Dr. Abhishek Srivastava
while delivering his talk on “Transient Phenomena and
Magnetic Waves in the Sun and Sun-like Stars”, discussed the
recent observational discoveries, modern data analysis
techniques and theoretical modeling; and the future
perspective in Astrophysics. Simultaneously, the
demonstrations of Solar Observatory during the open sky in
the day and night time were also regularly organized.
Prof. V. P. Sharma
delivered a lecture on “Forest Malaria” and revealed that a
significant effect of moon phase on light-trap catch of
Anopheles species has been observed during an in depth study
carried out in the forest belt of Madhya Pradesh, India,
inhabited by tribal people. Thus, he highlighted the
significance of regional biodiversity and further inspired
the participants to study hill and forest biodiversity of
the different stretches/climatic zones of India. A project
of herbarium preparation on the theme of “Hill and Forest
Biodiversity in and around Nainital” was assigned to the
participants; and accordingly the participants studied the
floral diversity and collected characteristic samples for
their project work.
Prof. S. L. Srivastava
delivered a talk on “Life in the Universe?”. While
delivering his talk on “Antioxidant”, Prof. U. C. Srivastava
mentioned the role of beta-carotene, lycopene, carotenoids,
melatonin; and concluded that antioxidant nutrients are
responsible for prevention of diseases and aging in human
beings.
Dr. Sharda Sundaram of
Edwing Christian College, Allahabad delivered her talk on
“Chemical aspects of biodiversity” and expressed concern
over the toxic discharges in terms of heavy metals, organic
chemicals, and suspended sediments usually found in
industrial and municipal effluents that are discharged
directly into water-bodies, which can inversely impact the
biota (living organisms) in an ecosystem by killing them,
weakening them, or affecting their ability to carry out
essential biological functions (feeding, reproducing).
After reaching
Allahabad, the participants visited the Ganga-gallery, NASI
Allahabad; and they were excited to get immense information
on socio-scientific and cultural heritage of the Holy River
Ganges, on 11th June, 2011. The theme of visit to
“Ganga-gallery” was mainly “awareness, conservation and
restoration of the river Ganges”. After completing the
visit, the participants were assigned several topics to
prepare environment related projects on the river Ganges.
The topics were i) Social and religious importance of river
Ganges, ii) Scientific analysis of the river water, iii)
Socio-eco-cultural heritage of the river Ganges, iv) Ganga
river and its ecosystem; and v) Pollution of Ganga river and
its conservation.
In the second phase,
basic concepts in Science & Technology were discussed, in
order to equip the participants to understand the
advancements in Science & Technology. Therefore, the group
was divided into Physical & Biological Sciences streams
during June 12-15, 2011.
Under the Mathematical
session Prof. Sunder Lal, Vice-Chancellor, VBS Purvanchal
University, Jaunpur delivered his lecture on “RSA numbers”.
Prof. M.A. Pathan, AMU, Aligarh, Prof. P.G. Romeo (Cochin
University), Prof. Rajiv Kumar Srivastava (HOD, Dr. BRA Agra
University), Prof. I. Pandey (Dayalbagh University), Prof.
Pankaj Srivastava (MNNIT, Allahabad) delivered their
lectures on mathematical functions & its applications. The
participants learnt mathematical modeling for better
understanding of science.
Lecture on Mathematics by Prof. Sunder Lal
Participants asking questions in the
VC, Purvanchal University
Mathematical workshop
In the Biological
Sciences stream, several lectures were delivered by the
experts of Plant Sciences as well as of Animal Sciences from
June 13-15, 2011. Under Plant Sciences stream, lectures were
delivered by Prof. J.S. Singh, CAS in Botany, BHU, Varanasi
(on ‘Biodiversity: An Overview’), Prof. G. K. Srivastava, Ex
Head, Dept. of Botany, University of Allahabad (UoA) (on
‘The Genetic Makeup-Genome and its Intricacies’), Prof. D.
K. Chauhan, Dept. of Botany, UoA (on ‘Biodiversity & Hot
spots’), Ms. Archana Pant, IASc Allahabad (on ‘Development
of Fodder Products’).
Under Animal Sciences
stream, lectures were delivered by Prof. U.C. Srivastava (on
‘Animal Biodiversity’), Prof. V. C. Srivastava (on ‘Insect
Biodiversity’), Dr. Anis F. Rizvi, IASc, Allahabad (on ‘Fish
Products’) and Dr P. P. Srivastava, National Bureau of Fish
Genetic Resources, Lucknow (on ‘Fish Biodiversity & Fish
Feed’) from June 13-15, 2011. Prof. U. C. Srivastava also
mentioned oncology, gene therapy, communicable diseases and
antioxidants; and the participants learnt the staining,
mounting and microscopic examination techniques in his
laboratory at the Zoology Department, University of
Allahabad.
Lecture on
biodiversity by Prof. J.S. Singh (BHU)
Lecture on Genome by Prof. G.K. Srivastava (UoA)
Again after having the
basic concepts in Physical and Biological Sciences, the
group was merged on June 16, 2011; and lectures were
organized on ‘Recent Developments in Physics’. Prof. Suresh
Chandra, BHU, Varanasi delivered a talk on ‘Missing Electric
Circuits Elements and Nano-materials’, Prof. S. L.
Srivastava, on ‘Electromagnetic Radiation’, Dr. Ambarish
Chandra, IIT, Kharagpur on ‘New Energy Generation & Storage
Technology’, Dr. Kailash Uttam, demonstrated and provided
hand on practice on ‘Experiment on Spectrometer’ in Physics
Department, UoA, Prof. C. K. Dwivedi, Department of
Electronics and Communication, UoA gave a lecture on ‘White
LEDs and its Efficiency’ and Dr O. P. Gupta, Jamuna
Christian College, Allahabad demonstrated ‘Low cost
experiments on Physics’ and explained the inherent concepts.
Physics Workshop inaugurated by Prof. Suresh
Chandra Lecture being
delivered by Prof. S.L. Srivastava
Physics
(electronic) workshop by Prof. C.K. Dwivedi
Workshop on experimental physics by Dr. O.P. Gupta
In the evening of 16th
June, 2011, a meeting on Science Story Writing/Telling was
also held in the presence of Prof. Suresh Chandra, Prof. S.
L. Srivastava, Prof. U. C. Srivastava, Prof. Krishna Misra,
Dr. Ambrish Chandra, Dr. Sharda Sundaram, Dr. Niraj Kumar
and other NASI officials, to devise and decide the
modalities to organize such a program in the near future.
On the evening of 17th
June, 2011, the participants went on an educational tour for
studying the simian diversity and medicinal plant diversity
at Chitrakoot under the guidance of Dr. Niraj Kumar, PI, DNA
Club Project and Dr. Ramesh Chandra, Head, Zoology
Department; MGCGVV, Chitrakoot. The projects on
“Biodiversity of Medicinal Plants in Aarogyadham, Chitrakoot”
were assigned to the students. They came back in the night
of June 19, 2011 after completing their project work on
medicinal plants.
On 20th June, 2011,
addressing the first session of the Workshop on
Biotechnology on the theme of ‘Recent Development in
Biochemistry & Biotechnology’, Prof. Krishna Misra
(Coordinator, Indo-Russian Centre for Biotechnology at IIIT,
Allahabad; and General Secretary, NASI) delivered her
lecture on “History of DNA”. Describing the hunger crisis in
Asia, she further suggested that only biotechnology can help
us for solving the problem of food scarcity; and the food
crop productivity can be enhanced through the application of
biotechnology. In the second session, Prof. Bechan Sharma
(Former Head, Dept. of Biochemistry, UoA) delivered his
lecture on “Transgenic Plants”. Prof. Sharma further
highlighted the role and importance of transgenic plants in
designing and development of disease, drought and pest
resistant plants/crops with higher yield potential. Dr.
Abhay Pandey (Dept. of Biochemistry, UoA) explained the ‘DNA
Technology’ on the same day; and demonstrated the extraction
of DNA practically from the cotyledons of gram and taught
the participants to extract DNA without using sophisticated
instruments. These lectures-cum-workshops were followed by
the interactive sessions.
Lectures-cum-Workshop on
Agriculture was conducted on 21st June, 2011 under the
guidance of Prof. M. M. Verma (Ex Director, Sheila Dhar
Institute of Soil Science, Dept. of Chemistry, UoA), Dr. A.K.
Srivastava, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kaushambi and Dr.
Chitranjan Kumar. Experts delivered their lectures on
Advancement in Agricultural Sciences & Technology,
Vermicomposting, Soil Fertility & its Sustainability. The
participants learnt simple techniques of preparing
vermicompost & its applications in the agricultural
fields/farms.
The Chemical Sciences
workshop was conducted from June 21-22, 2011. Dr. Sharada
Sundaram presented her lecture-cum-demonstration on ‘Air
Pollution’. She imparted training to the students for
testing air pollution caused by several automobiles; and the
participants prepared assignments on air pollution. In the
second session, Dr. Mohd Masood conducted the testing of
food-adulteration in oil, ghee, milk, spices, sweets, khoya
and tea leaves with the help of his food-adulteration
testing kit; followed by water quality testing. His
experiments were an eye-opener for all the participants, as
the results warned them to use the food items and drinking
water cautiously.
On the evening of 22nd
June, 2011, all the participants visited Jawahar
Planetarium, Anand Bhawan, Allahabad under the guidance of
Sri Pramod Pande (Director, Jawahar Planetarium, Anand
Bhawan). Sri Pande delivered an interactive lecture with the
planetarium show. The planetarium virtually took the
participants for a celestial trip; and the participants also
measured their weight theoretically on Moon and Jupiter.
On 23rd June, 2011, the
participants were exposed to interactive session with
eminent experts like Prof. V. P. Sharma (Chief Guest), Dr.
I.K. Patro, Dr. Nisha Patro, Prof. U. C. Srivastava, Dr.
Sharda Sundaram, Dr. Pramod Pandey and Dr. Manvendra
Tripathi. They interacted on several aspects of Health &
Communicable Diseases, Disease Diagnostics & Control,
Climate Change and its impact on Biodiversity as well as on
Human health etc. Experts were of the opinion that
vaccination at appropriate time is the need of hour to save
against various diseases like chickengunia, Japanese
encephalitis, polio, hepatitis etc.
Interactive
Session with Prof.U.C. Srivastava, Prof. V.P. Sharma, Prof.
I .Patro, Prof. Krishna Misra (L to R)
A book entitled
“Paryavaran Pradushan Ke Khatre”, prepared by the DNA Club,
Allahabad and published by the Global Green, Allahabad, was
also released by Prof. V. P. Sharma on 23rd June, 2011; on
the eve of Valedictory Function of the Summer School/ VTP.
Prof. V.P. Sharma releasing a book prepared
by DNA Club & Global Green, Allahabad
On 24th June, 2011, the
valedictory session of the Summer School/ VTP was marked by
an informative lecture by Prof. Kailash Chand Gupta,
Director, IITR, Lucknow (Chief Guest) on ‘Uses and
applications of multi-dimensional modern techniques of
Nanotechnology’. Dr. Gupta explained that new instruments of
nano dimensions are being prepared with the help of atomic
studies, which will revolutionize various fields of
medicine, defense research, optics and bio-energy. The
valedictory session was chaired by Prof. V. P. Sharma; and
Prof. S. L. Srivastava gave the concluding remarks. Before
the onset of the Valedictory Function, Prof. Krishna Misra
welcomed the guests in the last session of the Summer
School/ VTP; and Prof. U. C. Srivastava proposed a
vote-of-thanks in the end. The following students bagged
prizes on the basis of their good work evaluated by the
experts for the different projects.
Studies
of Hill Biodiversity in & around Nainital (June 4-10, 2011)
1. Deeksha Singh (Umrao
Singh Memorial School, Allahabad- Ist )
2. Shubham Kumar
Sharma (Parkar Inter College, Moradabad-IInd)
3. Kuldeep Shukla (D.A.V.
Inter College, Mehdawal, S K Nagar-IIIrd)
4. Annu Kumari (Umarao
Singh Memorial School, Allahabad-IVth)
5. Saeed-ul-Islam (Parkar
Inter College, Moradabad-Vth)
Projects
on Ganga River (Natural Resources Contest) (June 11-17,
2011)
1. Deeksha Singh (Umrao
Singh Memorial School, Allahabad- Ist)
2. Abhishek Agnihotri
C.P.V.N., Kamiganj, Farrukhabad- IInd)
3. Shantanu Das
(Anglo Bengali Inter College, Allahabad- IIIrd)
4. Arushi Tripathi
(Bishop Johnson School & College, Allahabad- IVth)
5. Shashiraj Singh
(Central Academy Higher Secondary School, Shahdol- Vth)
Projects
on Biodiversity at Aarogyadham, Chitrakoot (June 18-19,
2011)
1. Sandeep Kumar
(Vishnu Inter College, Bareilly- Ist ),
2. Abhishek Agnihotri
(C.P. Vidya Niketan Inter College, Kaimganj, Farrukhabad-
IInd);
Air
Pollution (Physical Sciences Contest (June 22, 2011)
1. Varun Mishra (DAV
Inter College, Mehdawal, Sant Kabir Nagar- Ist),
2. Vedika (Jagat
Taran Golden Jubilee School, Allahabad- IInd),
3. Zainul Abdeen
(Anglo Bengali Inter College, Allahabad- IIIrd),
4. Annu Kumari (Umarao
Singh Memorial School, Allahabad- IVth),
5. Mukesh Prajapati
(D G I College, Pilibhit- Vth).
Sri Prasanna Kumar Ghosh
(Lecturer, ABIC, Allahabad) was adjudged the best teacher
escort of the programme. The certificates of participation,
pollution kit and food adulteration kit were distributed
among the participant teachers of the schools.
Valedictory function addressed by Prof. V.P.
Sharma
Winner of the Summer School/ VTP 2011 along
with distinguished guests of NASI
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