Lecture Workshop on ‘Emerging Vistas in Plant Sciences’
Moodbidri: Major discoveries of the world come from curiosity. Curious mind expects and anticipates new ideas every now and then. New worlds and possibilities which are normally not visible. They are hidden behind the surface of normal life, and it takes a curious mind to look beneath the surface and discover these new worlds and possibilities, said Prof R R Rao, Central institute of Meducanla and Aromatic Plants, Bengaluru and INSA Honorary Scientist.
He was speaking at the inaugural programme of Science Academies’ Lecture workshop on ‘’Emerging vistas in Plant Sciences’’ organized by Alva’s PG Dept of Applied Botany, sponsored by Indian Academy of Science (IASc), Indian National Science Academy (INSA), National academy of Science (NASI) Joint Science Education Panel, on Tuesday, 29 November, here at the Kuvempu Hall.
Scientific temperament and inquisitiveness assist curiosity to generate invention. ‘Though India having enormous human wealth, it failed in figuring out the adventures of scientific discoveries. Among the best 100 universities of the world, India is nowhere in the scene’, he lamented. He added and said, to support the cause of science all the science academies of the country are conducting a series of lecture workshops, summer research fellowship programme and bringing out monthly magazine ‘Resonance’. So, it is high time for the students to make use of the facilities made available by science academies.
Presiding over the programme Alva’s Education Chairman, Dr M Mohan Alva said, human beings life totally depends on plants, so there is an immediate need for people plunging in research activities of plant sciences for better tomorrows.
The inaugural session followed by technical sessions. The first session titled ‘’Floristic diversity India – concerns and strategies’’ was handled by Prof R R Rao. The second session, “Mycorrhizal symbiosis” was hosted by Prof D Bagyaraj Joseph, NASI Senior Scientist & Chairman CNBRCD, Bengaluru. Prof Ranganath H A, Rtd VC Bengaluru University spoke about Mobile Genetic Elements. Fourth session was about “Pollination: A threaded eco service essential for sustenance of crop productivity’’ was presented by Prof K R Shivanna, Odekar farms, Nandhihalli, Tumkuru.
Alva’s College Principal Prof Kurian, Head of the Dept Prof Puspendra Kumar, Lecturer Dr Sukesh were present among others.