Dr. K. V. Rao Scientific Society’s 24th Annual Science Awards Function was held Saturday night at B. M. Birla Science Centre, Hyderabad.
KVRSS has been involved in promoting science by spotting and recognizing talent at the school and university levels for the past 24 years.
Prof. (Dr.) Priya Abraham, Senior Professor, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore and Former Director, National Institute of Virology, Pune delivered the KV Rao Memorial Oration. She was part of the ICMR team that developed the COVAXIN vaccine
She presented the 24th Annual Memorial Oration “The Making of an Indigenous COVID Vaccine and More” where she dwelled on the arduous task of developing the first Indigenous antibody detection assay (Kavach ELISA) which was used in the four national serosurveys for COVID-19 and the collaboration with industry in making a candidate vaccine. Dr Priya and her team worked throughout the pandemic, and it was their relentless effort which helped India come out of the pandemic with minimal casualties.
Speaking on the occasion she said a vaccine takes 10 long years to be developed. But during a crisis like a pandemic, it was developed in just ten and half months. Scientists are not the soldiers at the borders like our fauzi but they are civilian fauzi, she said.
Speaking further she said only 27% of the population has taken a booster dose which is not good. Everyone must take the booster dose. I am in my capacity pushing to the government to bring the vaccines back into the market and encourage more to take booster doses, she said.
The Covid vaccines must be commonly available in the market for people to take booster doses she said Many countries have realized the need for pandemic preparedness to counter any pandemics that may hit in future.
Mr. Partho Pratim Kar, Joint Managing Director, Jaykay Enterprises Limited, New Delhi was the Chief Guest. He is an industry leader and pioneer in Indian Retail and works extensively in diverse areas of the social sector including schools. Good teachers make up the good school and not National Education Policy. We need to focus on how to develop good teachers. Teaching has to be by choice and not by default.
Both the guest gave away 24th Annual Research Awards, 19th School Talent Awards, 13th SPARK Innovation Awards and 4th SMART (Science Meets ART) Awards.
During the function, the 24th Annual Research Awards were presented to encourage research in basic sciences. It recognized exceptional research in fundamental scientific disciplines by students under the age of 30 across India.
19th School Talent Awards are initiated in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Science & Technology (APCOST). These awards acknowledge exemplary science projects presented by students from various districts, particularly government schools, based on a designated theme provided by the Department of Science and Technology. Scholarship opportunities were awarded to select students.
The 13th SPARK Innovation Awards were given to stimulate the young minds of India, Students present Science Models with Concepts. 40 Projects were selected for final presentations
4th SMART (Science Meets ART) Awards were initiated to celebrate National Science Day and to let school students visualise science. This program fosters a visual understanding of science among school students, the SMART program encourages the creation of models that translate mathematical concepts into engaging stories.
Recently the Society established a Science Innovation Centre and a Mobile Science Lab to offer interactive and accessible science experiences for school children. These initiatives have demonstrably impacted over 10,000 students in the past two years.
As KVRSS enters its 25th year, ambitious plans are underway to develop a state-of-the-art science centre complex. This innovative facility will be designed to provide a vibrant space for learning, exploration, and enjoyment of science for all.
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