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ISCA–ORIGIN
& GROWTH
Genesis
The
Indian Science Association (ISCA) owes its origin to the foresight and
initiative of two British Chemists, namely, Professor J.L. Simonsen and
Professor P.S. MacMahon. It was their view that scientific research in
India would be stimulated if an annual meeting of research workers
somewhat on the lines of the British Association for the Advancement of
Science could be arranged.
The
Association was formed with the following objectives:
a.
to advance and promote the cause of science in India
b.
to hold annual congress at a suitable place in India
c.
to publish proceedings, journals, transaction, etc.
d.
to popularise science
The
first meeting of the Congress was held from January 15-17, 1914 at the
premises of the Asiatic
Society, Calcutta, with the honourable Justice Sir Asutosh Mookerjee, the
then Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University as President. One hundred and
five scientists from different parts of India and abroad attended. The 35
papers presented were divided into six sections Botany, Chemistry,
Ethnography, Geology, Physics and Zoology under six Sectional Presidents.
From
this modest beginning with hundred and five members and thirty five papers
communicated for reading at the first session, ISCA has grown into a
strong fraternity with more than seventeen thousand members till to date.
The number of papers communicated for reading has risen to nearly one
thousand. Upto 2000 there were Sixteen sections, two committees and six
forums, namely Sections on Agricultural Sciences, Anthropology &
Archaeology, Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Botany,
Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Earth System Sciences, Engineering Sciences,
Material Sciences, Mathematics, Medical & Veterinary Sciences,
Physics, Physiology, Psychology & Educational Sciences, Statistics,
Zoology, Entomology & Fisheries; Committees-Home Sciences, Science
& Society; Forums-Communication & Information
Science,
Environmental Sciences, Forensic Science, Science Education, Science for
School Students and Women & Science.
There
are now fourteen sections namely Agriculture and Forestry Sciences,
Animal, Veterinary and Fishery Sciences, Anthropological and Behavioural
Sciences (including Archaeology and Psychology & Educational Sciences
and Military Science), Chemical Sciences, Earth System Sciences,
Engineering Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Information and
Communication Science & Technology (including Computer Sciences),
Materials Sciences, Mathematical Sciences (including Statistics), Medical
Sciences (including Physiology), New Biology (including
Biochemistry,
Biophysics & Molecular Biology and Biotechnology), Physical Sciences,
Plant Sciences and one Committee on Science & Society.
Silver
Jubilee
The
Silver Jubilee Session of the Science Congress was held at Calcutta in
1938. Lord Rutherford of Nelson was to be the General President of this
Session. However, due to his sudden death, Sir James Jeans took the chair.
It was at this Jubilee Session that the participation of foreign
scientists in session of the Indian Science Congress was first initiated.
Golden
Jubilee
The
Science Congress celebrated its Golden Jubilee in October, 1963 at Delhi
with Prof. D.S Kothari as General President. On this occasion two special
publications were brought out:
i.
A Short History of the Indian Science Congress Association and
ii. Fifty
Years of Science in India (in 12 volumes, each volume containing reviews
of particular branch of science).
Diamond
Jubilee
The
Diamond Jubilee Session of the Science Congress was held at Chandigarh in
January 3-9, 1973, under the Presidentship of Dr. S Bhagavantam. On this
occasion, two special publications were brought out:
i.
A Decade (1963–72) of Indian Science Congress Association (with
life-sketches of General Presidents) and
ii.
A Decade (1963–72) of science in India (published section–wise)
Platinum
Jubilee
The
Indian Science Congress Association celebrated its Seventy Fifth year
since its inception, popularly called otherwise as Platinum Jubilee, in
1988, with Prof.C.N.R.Rao as General President. A special brochure,
entitled “Indian Science Congress Association–Growth &
Activities” was published so as to highlight the programmes of the
Association over the years. The main programmes were:
i.
Bringing out special publication on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee
ii.
Presentation of plaques to the past General Presidents of the Association
iii.
Establishment of Platinum Jubilee Lectures to be organised in each section
during the annual session of the Science Congress and
iv.
Extension of the activities of the ISCA and its further diversification to
generate scientific temper and popularize science.
 Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru Presides over 34th Session–1947
On
the eve of Indian independence, the 34th
Annual Session of the Indian
Science Congress was held at Delhi in January 1947 with Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru, Prime Minister of India, as General President. Pandit Nehru’s
personal interest in the Science Congress continued ever since and there
had been hardly any session during his lifetime which he did not attend.
He immensely enriched the activities of the Congress by his sustained
interest in the development of scientific atmosphere in the country,
particularly among young generation.
Interaction
with Foreign Scientific Academies / Association
From
1947, programme for inviting representatives from foreign societies and
academies was included in the Science Congress. This trend still continues
with the support of the Department of Science and Technology, Government
of India. After independence, ISCA has been actively represented in
various foreign scientific academies / association, namely, British
Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association for the
Advancement of Science, French Academy of Sciences, Bangladesh Academy of
Sciences, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, etc., with
a view to have a first hand knowledge on topics of mutual interest.
Introduction
of Focal Theme
The
year 1976 witnessed a significant development in the trend of
deliberations during the Congress. It was being felt for quite a while
that such a gathering of scientists, covering a wide spectrum ought to be
sensitised of national issues that have scientific and technological
implications. In 1976, Dr. M.S Swaminathan, the then General President of
ISCA, introduced the Focal Theme of national relevance which is now
discussed in every section, during the annual session. Apart from these,
several Plenary Sessions are organised around various facets of the
Focal
Theme in which scientists and technologists as well as policy makers and
administrators interact with one another. ISCA has thus become a platform
where members from different disciplines and from different walks of life
can contribute to discussions on the Focal Theme.
Task
Force
Another
significant breakthrough was made in 1980 when the Department of Science
& Technology, Government of India, set up a permanent Task Force
involving representatives of ISCA and chiefs of different agencies and
voluntary organisations chaired by Secretary, DST being responsible for
following up various recommendations on the Focal Theme. Every year
follow-up actions on recommendations made in the previous Science Congress
are discussed at the General Session organised by DST during the Science
Congress. Through this process, the
Indian
Science Congress Association has been contributing to the development of
science in general and to the National Science Policy in particular.
Young
Scientists’ Awards Programme
The
Indian Science Congress Association introduced the programme for Young
Scientists from the 68th Session
of the Indian Science Congress in 1981. The Programme enables Young
Scientists to present their research work with opportunities to exchange
ideas in the relevant scientific areas with their counterparts and
specialist. The ISCA Young Scientists Awards are given to candidates for
making the best presentations. Fourteen such awards are given at present.
The award amount has been enhanced from Rs.5,000 from 93rd
session and now carries Rs.25,000
and a Certificate of Merit.
Presentation
of Papers
It
was decided that generally most of the contributed papers, which were
accepted on the basis of a careful screening by the concerned Sectional
Presidents with the help of participating experts would be presented by
way of posters. Further, to encourage scientists it was decided that
atmost two Prizes of Rs.1,000 in cash along with a certificate to be
awarded to the best presentation in each Section from 86th
Session. The award money has been
enhanced to Rs.5,000 from 94th
Session.
ISCA
Chapters
The
Association started organising popular science lectures in different
centres in India from 1962-63. The scheme envisages constructive work for
the popularisation and advancement of science throughout the year. Till
1985-86 these lectures were delivered at seventeen centres spread over the
country. However, this was restructured with the formation of Regional
Chapters from 1986-1987.
One
of the major objectives of ISCA is to inculcate the scientific temper
among the people and to encourage young scientists to grow up steadily in
this direction involving them in the programmes relevant to fundamental,
experimental and operational activities. With these objectives in view,
ISCA started Chapters from 1986-1987 in different places in India. At
present ISCA Chapters are at Allahabad, Amarvati, Banasthali, Bangalore,
Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Bodh Gaya, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Guwahati,
Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Karnal, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur,
Shillong, Vadodara and Visakhapatnam.
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