Vision

India could Justly feel proud for its unique contributions to science in the ancient past. However, successive foreign invasions and alien rule for centuries pushed science in the background and the country went through with what may be described as the dark age for science. Western science attracted Indian intelligentsia after the establishment of the western system of education and the universities; and despite many constraints, the country could produce giants like Sir J.C. Bose & Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray.

 

The 1st world war and the world-wide economic depression caused a set back to scientific research globally - much more so in India whose scientists found it difficult even to publish their research work since they had to be almost entirely dependent on foreign journals. The post world war India also saw the rise of the freedom movement which incidentally also drew attention to the numerous problems of the Indian populace like poverty, hunger, diseases, recurrent floods, droughts, famines etc. Patriotic scientists felt deeply concerned with these.

 Founder President Prof. M N Saha

 

It was in this background that the idea of establishing a forum for scientists, which would help them in publishing their researches and bring them together to discuss and find scientific solutions to the problems of the country, was mooted by Prof. Meghnad Saha, a great scientist, patriot and then Professor of Physics at Allahabad University in 1929. His views were published in the article entitled 'A Plea for an Academy of Sciences' in December 1929 issue of the Allahabad University magazine.

 

Thus, the National Academy of Sciences, India was founded in the year 1930, with the objectives to provide a national forum for the publication of research work carried out by Indian scientists and to provide opportunities for exchange of views among them. The Memorandum of Association was signed by seven distinguished and patriotic scientists namely Prof. Meghnad Saha, Prof. K.N. Bahl, Prof. D.R. Bhattacharya, Prof. P.C. MacMohan, Prof. A.C. Banerji, Prof. Ch. Wali Mohammad and Prof. N.R. Dhar. Of these, the Academy had the good fortune of having the continued association of Prof. N.R. Dhar until very lately when he expired on December 5, 1986 at the age of 96 years. Apart from being one of the founders of the Academy and taking continued interest in its welfare, Prof. Dhar also had donated the piece of land on which the Academy building stands today.

 

The Rules and Regulations of the Academy were based on those of the Royal Society of England and Asiatic Society of Bengal. These have since been revised and updated to meet the emerging challenges. Prof. Meghnad Saha was elected its first President.

 

The Academy started in 1930 with 57 ordinary Members and 19 Fellows. The Academy has grown in strength and popularity. Today it has about 1571 Members and 1579 Fellows including 29 Honorary Fellows and 88 Foreign Fellows. All these, include scientists from various disciplines of Science and Technology from all over India and abroad.

 

 NASI - envisions

 The cultivation and promotion of Science & Technology in all its branches, through -

  • publication of proceedings, journals, memoirs, transactions and other works as may be considered desirable;

  • developing a Science Library;

  • organising meetings and hold discussions on scientific and technological problems; and promoting scientific and technological research for societal welfare;

  • undertaking such scientific work of technological or public importance as it may be called upon to perform;

  • co-operating with other organizations in India and abroad, having similar objects, and to appoint representatives of the Academy to act on national and international bodies;

  • securing and managing funds and endowments for the promotion of science and technology;

  • creating an adequate impact of the Academy all over the country by opening Chapters of the Academy in other cities in the country, where reasonable number of scientists are interested;

  • performing all other acts, matters and things that may assist in, conduce to, or be necessary for the fulfillment of the aims and objects of the Academy.

Activities

 

Publications - The Academy has been publishing two quarterly journals - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India (Section A - Physical Sciences) and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India (Section B - Biological Sciences) since its inception in 1930. Since 1978 it is also publishing a bi-monthly journal, the National Academy Science Letters for speedy publication of important research work. It also publishes the Annual Report, Year Book and different publications related to the Annual Sessions.

 

The Academy’s Journals (back issues) are accessible on website http://nasi.iiita.ac.in/ library (courtesy IIIT, Allahabad); and current issues are on the Springer’s website.

 

Annual Sessions - The Academy has regularly been holding an Annual Session in a scientific and academic institution. In the recent past such sessions have been held at Allahabad, Pune, Shillong, Ahmadabad, Jaipur, Pondicherry, Mumbai, Mysore, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram. These Sessions provide an opportunity for presentation of research papers by Members and Fellows of the Academy. The sessions are popular and draw young and senior scientists alike from far and wide.

 

Symposia/Seminars -  Besides the Annual Session, the Academy holds symposia, seminars, and workshops on subjects of current national and scientific interest. The proceedings as far as possible are published as special volumes and recommendations sent to concerned agencies and authorities. The subjects of symposia held in the recent past include “Harnessing Science & Technology for the New Era” (November 2000, Allahabad); ‘Coping with Natural Hazards” (October 2001, Pune); “Biodiversity : A Scientific Approach - Agenda for the 21st Century” (October 2002, Shillong); “Astronomy in the New Millennium” (October 2003, Ahmedabad); "Science & Technology for Desert Development" (December 2004, Jaipur), “Excitement of Science” (October 2005, Allahabad), “S&T in the Service of Society”  (October 2006, Mumbai), “Novel approaches for food and nutritional security” (December 2007, Mysore),  “ Novel Approaches for Biomedical Research” (November 2008, Chandigarh), “Science &Technology and the Young” (December 2009, Kolkata), “Climate Change – Research, Awareness and Capacity Building” (December 2010) and “Sustainable Management of Biodiversity Using Science & Technology” (November 2011).

 

Science Communication Activities - For about last 18 years, the Academy and its different Chapters are also holding science communication programmes to generate scientific temper among the students and general public. The major components of science communication activities are – Science Extension Lectures, State Level Science Contests (Quiz, Debate, Oration, Exhibition, Essay, Scientific Creative Writing and Painting), Talent Search, Teachers’ Workshop and Celebration of National Technology Day and National Science Day. The Academy also gives awards (The National Academy of Sciences, India – Science Teacher Award), to the Science Teachers of the Intermediate Colleges of different regions of India, every year for their keen interest in out of the class science activities and also for generating scientific temper among the students.

 

Fellowship/Lecture Awards - To honour the scientists for their significant contributions, the Academy has instituted Meghnad Saha Distinguished Fellowship, NASI-Platinum Jubilee Chairs, Sir J C Bose Chair, ICMR Chair in Public Health Research, NASI-Platinum Jubilee Senior Scientist Fellowships; and several Award Lectures such as Prof. A.C. Banerji Memorial Award Lecture, Prof. Meghnad Saha Memorial Award Lecture, Prof. N.R. Dhar Memorial Award Lecture, Dr. B.P. Pal Memorial Award Lecture, Dr. P. Sheel Memorial Award Lecture, Dr. P. Sheel Memorial (Young Woman Scientist) Award Lecture, Prof. Saligram Sinha Memorial Award Lecture, Prof. R.C. Gupta Endowment History of Science Award Lecture, Prof. R.N. Tandon Memorial Award Lecture, Prof. B.K. Bachhawat Memorial Young Scientist Award Lecture, Prof. B.K. Bachhawat Memorial Award Lecture, Prof. U.S. Srivastava Memorial Award Lecture, Prof. Shri Ranjan Memorial Award Lecture, Prof. Archana Sharma Memorial Award Lecture and Award Lecture in the field of Toxicology etc.

 

Library - The Academy has a well organized library known as Dr. Sir Padampat Singhania Library in which there are two sections, one for the research students and teachers and the other for school students.

As a new activity internet facility for educational purpose is also being provided to the students free-of-cost.

 

Ganga Gallery – Recently, the Academy has also established a magnificent Gana-gallery in collaboration with the NCSM, Kolkata; and financially supported by the DST, Govt. of India & MPLAD fund. The concept of gallery was mooted by Prof. M.G.K. Menon, Prof. M.S. Swaminathan and Prof. (Mrs.) Manju Sharma; and the idea behind establishing it was to generate awareness among the general public for the conservation of our holy river Ganges.

 

Chapters - The Academy has 16 Chapters located at Allahabad, Bangalore, Budelkhand Extended Region, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jammu, Kharagpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Shillong (N.E. Chapter), Uttaranchal and Varanasi. These Chapters organize scientific activities in and around their respective regions. The Chapters also maintain a library of the publications of the Academy.

 

The mode of action -  In last several years, the Academy has established bond between its programmes and their impact on science & society. The bond has further been strengthened with the new alliances and associations between Academia-industry and Academia-corporate ventures. The Academia-industry and Academia-corporate collaborations, developed in the recent past have become so successful and fruitful, that several senior and young scientists have been benefited from this endeavor; the NASI-Reliance and NASI-SCOPUS alliance are worth mentioning here, as about sixteen senior and more than thirty young scientists bagged fabulous awards during last three years. The Academy also has started a tradition of recognizing the manifold contributions of its senior and distinguished scientists by offering them prestigious Chairs.

Another important fact is, the last year (2010) was the International Year of Biodiversity; and this year (2011) has been declared by the UNO as the International Year of Forests; therefore, to celebrate both these years the Academy decided to organize several programmes. In the year 2010 a National Symposium on “Climate Change” was organized with Prof. M.S. Swaminathan as its Chief Guest and Prof. (Mrs.) Manju Sharma as the Convener.  The major topics of this symposium were decided in a meeting headed by Prof. M.G.K. Menon to give an emphasis on the adverse impact of the climate change on the planet earth in general, and the biodiversity, in particular.  The recommendations of this symposium have already been sent to the concerned governmental and non-governmental departments. There was a huge gathering of young scientists and students in this symposium; there has been an impact of continuous efforts of the Academy to inspire them to seek the meaningful solutions of the burning problems of the society by the application of their scientific knowledge and aptitude. Enthused with such a tremendous response, the Academy strongly feels to generate many more programmes, which could ensure effective participation of the various strata of the society and young scientists in particular under the creative care of experienced, eminent scientists.

 

Based on the success of the activities of the Academy and visualizing the present national issues, especially when the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has declared the year 2012-13, the Year of Science, the Academy with the advice of its Council has planned several new initiatives to effectively disseminate the scientific knowledge and enthuse the young minds, as –

  • To organise Science Extension Lectures throughout the length & breadth of country.

  • Publish booklets on our great heritage of Indian Science & breakthroughs.

  • Make videos films on the challenges being faced in Agriculture; Health; Climate Change; Biodiversity; Water and Energy Sectors etc.

  • Take up work on making of another gallery (on Brahmaputra) as done for the river Ganges.

  • Establish a Science Museum.

In effectively organising all the above activities through the Chapters of the Academy, a networking would be done; and students and general mass will be involved in the dissemination process.

 

Apart from all these new initiatives, under the able guidance of Prof M G K Menon (Advisor, New Initiatives, NASI), there are a few more things to be taken care of. The decade 2005-15 is a decade to ensure sustainable development. Several steps and measures to develop projects aimed towards attaining sustainable development at least in the areas of Health, Energy, Biodiversity resources etc. would be taken up.  Follow-up of the “Climate Change” symposium will be an important project.

 

A symposium on Biodiversity was held successfully during the 81st Annual Session of NASI; Chairs and Scholarships would be instituted to supervise and take up projects and activities in the areas leading to sustainable development. The Academy has already done two projects on malnutrition.  It is proposed to enlarge the sphere of these activities especially among women and children, involving NGO’s and National Laboratories for implementing such projects. Also, the Capacity Building has always been a thrust area for the NASI; therefore, special attention would be paid to ensure inclusiveness of women scientists by generating training programmes/scholarships to bring more women in science.

 

All these are possible only by the consistent efforts of our Fellows & Members, who are keenly associated with our programmes; and we are also grateful to the Deptt. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India and other Govt. bodies for financially supporting our programmes.