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.