JORHAT, Dec 5 - State Science, Technology and Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta and State Assembly Speaker and local MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami jointly laid the foundation stone of the Innovation Hub of the Jorhat Science Centre and Planetarium (JSCP) within the premises of the institute here on Monday.
The proposed hub, where youths can nurture creative ideas in science, would cost Rs 1.5 crore and will be the first of its kind in Upper Assam and second in the State, after Guwahati.
The centre�s curator Dr Pranabjyoti Chetia, while explaining about the hub, said that funding for the project will be borne equally by the Centre and the State Government. He said that the project has been sanctioned under the Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Creativity and Engagement in Science (SPICES) of the National Council of Science Museums under the Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the State Science and Technology Department.
�The objective of the initiative is to provide a platform to the youths in general and students in particular so that they can nurture their scientific ideas and thoughts and turn them into innovations to help solve area-specific local problems.�
There is already an environment of academic and research activities in Upper Assam with a large number of educational as well as scientific research institutions functioning, and with Jorhat having the most, the curator observed.
�The hub, to be linked with other scientific organisations, will function as a laboratory where anything new under any branch of science could be tried upon. It will be equipped with adequate modern infrastructure and resources. Scientists will also help students in their studies at the hub,� said Chetia.
Mahanta, in his address said that the BJP-led Government was according priority in popularising science among the upcoming generation and also among the adults.
The Minister said that the Government has planned a series of initiatives for students and the general population as well. He informed that an ambitious Mukhya Mantrir Vigyan Darshan scheme will be launched soon.
He said under the scheme, gaon panchayat office-bearers, ward members and gaonburhas will be taken on a tour of Jorhat or either Guwahati (State will be divided into two zones) and organise a tour of scientific research institutes, including planetariums.
The idea of organising such a tour is to develop scientific temperament in the minds of people who play a pivotal role in developmental activities at the grassroot level, the Minister said.
Goswami in his address said he will always support such positive initiatives and try to extend whatever help was needed to implement the projects.
The JSCP under the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council of the State Science and Technology Department was established on July 6, 2013 to develop scientific mindset among the people, especially youths across the region. School students of Upper Assam often visit the centre as part of educational tours.