Imbibe spirit of enquiry, students told

ISRO scientist speaks at district-level science exhibition organised in Kolar

 Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) scientist Nagaraj Ananth has called upon students to imbibe spirit of scientific inquiry.

Speaking after inaugurating the district-level science exhibition and workshop at government college for women here on Saturday, the scientist said that nowadays the students and parents were losing interest in basic science courses, which had adversely affected research and development projects.

“At present, students are according preference to medical and engineering courses and are not giving much importance to basic science. This has hampered higher research projects,” he said.

Calling upon students to develop curiosity about new phenomena, he said that instead of wasting hours together on watching cricket matches, students should focus more on their studies.

He said that one could be a scientist like Abdul Kalam, if he or she is able to nurture an idea.

He said that higher research in science and technology should help in tackling challenges of future days. The young generation too should develop curiosity about science and the government should lay thrust on scientific research programmes.

Speaking on the occasion, Blood Bank vice president Krishna said that as much as 800 units of blood was required per day in Bengaluru.

A human being weighing more than 50 kg will have five and half litre of blood in his her body. Any healthy individual in 18-65 age group can donate blood once three months, he said.

He said that some people were under the wrong impression that blood donation casts adverse effect on health. “In fact, blood donation reduces blood pressure and lowers the risk of cardiac arrest. Lives of as many as 10 people could be saved with the organs of an individual. Lungs, kidneys, eyes, heart and blood could be donated,” he said.

Students from various schools across the district had displayed various science models at the exhibition.

Mercy, an voluntary organisation, National Council for Science and Technology  Communication and K C Reddy Sarojamma Welfare Foundation had jointly organised the exhibition.