SHIMLA: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, while presiding over Yuva Vigyan Puraskar function organised by Himachal Pradesh Science, Technology and Environment Council, here today said that present State Government had launched Yuva Vigyan Puraskar Scheme in 2018 to encourage the students to adopt science subject thereby motivating them towards research.
Chief Minister said that under this scheme 47 students were awarded in 2018, 30 students in 2019 and this year as many as 46 were being awarded in this program today. He said that this would go a long way in motivating and inspiring the students to perform better.
Jai Ram Thakur said that there was no dearth of talent in the State and only thing required was to motivate the students to perform better. He said that the State of Himachal Pradesh was the second most literate State in the country. He said the teachers needed to motivate the students to develop scientific temperament. He said that Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the study of the students and the State Government ensured that the students were provided education virtually, which was a big success. He said that there was no substitute of classroom education and the students during and post lockdown had urged him to start class room classes. He said that now with the decrease in Covid-19 cases, the State Government has decided to open the schools to facilitate the students.
Chief Minister said the corona pandemic this year has posed some challenges which had never been experienced before. He said that despite of all this, the State Government had been working relentlessly to overcome the challenges and succeeded in controlling this pandemic. He said that it was a matter of great pleasure that this year, while carrying forward the propagation of science, the Council has successfully organized Child Science Conference for students across the State through video conferencing during adverse circumstances by adopting corona protocol. In this event, about 20 thousand students from block, district level to state level got the privilege to participate, he added.
Jai Ram Thakur said the Himachal Pradesh Science Technology and Environment Council was organizing various programs such as Children Science Conference, National Science Day, National Mathematics Day, Eclipse Observation throughout the year for promotion and popularization of science. He said that these programs have a special impact on the students, scientists, mathematicians and they have shown special interest and curiosity in these programs.
Chief Minister said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a mantra of finding opportunities in challenges only then the Nation can progress. He said that when the first case of corona virus was found in India not even a single PPE kit was manufactured in India. He said that today India was not only self-sufficient in PPE kits, but was even exporting it to several countries.
Principal Secretary Science, Environment and Technology K.K. Pant said the State Government has started a programme in 2018 to inculcate scientific temperament amongst the students. He said that students securing first ten positions in 10+2 Faculty of Science in Himachal Pradesh School Education Board examinations are awarded under the programme. He said that rupees one lakh is provided to the student who gets the first place, Rs 90, 000 to the student who gets the second place and Rs. 80, 000 to student securing third position.
Joint Member Secretary Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE) Nishant Thakur presented vote of thanks.
Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Member Secretary Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment Sudesh Kumar Mokhta, Director Higher Education Dr Amarjit Sharma, Director Elementary Education Shubh Karan Singh, Director Information and Public Relations Harbans Singh Brascon and other officers were present on the occasion.