6th Feb, 2012 –

An Academic extravaganza: A Department of Science and Technology venture, in the form of a five day long winter camp (6 Feb. to 10 Feb’ 2012) INSPIRE, was inaugurated at RIMT Institute of Engineering and Technology, Mandi Gobindgarh on 6th February 2012. This academic extravaganza witnessed an august gathering of Scholars, Scientists and Researchers of high repute from various Universities and IIT’s coming together to emphasize the need and importance of generating a scientific temper. The program’s aim is to inculcate a scientific outlook and condition a child in his very initial years’ to be able to imbibe the nuances of science and move into an era of enlightenment.

The basic motto of INSPIRE as a program, is to instill a scientific rapport amongst the masses and set out to produce a generation of reasoned and balanced Individuals. INSPIRE comes to be a symbol of an innovative orientation program developed by the Department of Science & Technology to attract talent, to the excitement and study of science at an early age, and to help the country build the required critical resource pool for strengthening and expanding the Science and Technology system as also the Research and Development base.

Over 200 meritorious students from various State boards, CBSE and ICSE boards belonging to Patiala, Ludhiana, Nandpur Keshon, Samrala, Machhiwara, Khanna became a part of this awakening program and will be provided training and orientation by eminent researchers and mentors, in this five day interaction. Students will be offered High Tea, Lunch and evening snacks for five days. A kit comprising Science encyclopedia,writing pad,bag ,information brochure will be delivered. Transport as well as Boarding and lodging facility will be provided to students and mentors. No charges will be taken as the program is fully funded by DST.

The Chairman of RIMT Dr. Hukam Chand Bansal enlivened the audience with his enlightening thoughts and motivated students to be a part of this venture for the real conditioning of their future. RIMT also felt pride in welcoming S. Mohanbir Singh Sidhu, Additional Director, Department of Technical Education, Punjab as the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sidhu laid stress on the importance of such interactions and said that such ventures would help to tap the latent potential of the present generation, hence building a progressive, learned youth. Dr. Umesh Kumar Sharma an eminent scientist from the Department of Science and Technology graced the occasion by consenting to be the Guest of Honor. Prof. Arun D Ahluwalia, Emeritus-Environmentalist delivered a talk on Environment on the first day of Inspire program. He is Former HOD, Geology Dept., PU & Incharge Environment outreach.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Harsh Sadawarti, Director RIMT Engineering Campus, underlined the role of Science and Research, developing nation emphasized the need to train and provide infrastructural and resource facilities to the youth for their better futures. He mentioned that Dr. Arvind, IISER, Mohali, Dr. P. K. Tulsi, NITTTR, Chandigarh, Dr. Balbir Singh, COO, NITCON, Chandigarh, Dr. H.K. Sardana, Scientist 'F' (Dy Director), CSIO, Chandigarh, Dr. Harpreet Singh, IIT, Roopnagar, Dr. Manmohan Chhibber, SCBC, Thapar University, Patiala, Dr. Vandna Sharma, GNDU, Amritsar, Dr. S. K. Khanduja, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Dr. H. S. Virk, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Dr. S. K. Tomer, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Prof. S. Batra, Punjabi University, Patiala will deliver lectures during the five day Inspire program. He also appreciated the efforts of Prof. Sushil Garg and his team for organizing the event successfully.