The 109th edition of the Indian Science Congress, initially set to kick off on 3rd January, has hit an obstruction. The Lovely Professional University, slated to host the gathering of scientists, has expressed its inability to do so, prompting organisers to pump the brakes on the event.
Why has the Lovely Professional University backed off at the last moment?
Despite the university declining to disclose the reasons for the last-minute alterations, the Registrar of LPU conveyed to ISCA General President Arvind Saxena through email that unforeseen challenges had emerged, hindering the university’s ability to fulfil its hosting responsibilities.
Lovely Professional University’s decision comes in the wake of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) imposing a freeze on the annual event sponsorship, citing ISCA’s alleged unilateral decisions. The DST traditionally provides a grant of up to Rs 5 crore to the hosting university for the Science Congress each year.
In a notice issued to all secretaries of scientific departments in September, the Department of Science and Technology stated, “It has also been decided that DST support from all its resources for the forthcoming ISC event in 2024 will be discontinued.”
Tensions between the government and ISCA have been simmering for the past few years, with differences of opinion arising over the event’s organisation. The government has actively promoted the India International Science Festival (IISF) as a parallel event since 2015.
The ISCA has taken legal action against the DST, accusing the government of meddling its operations. Initially, the 109th Indian Science Congress was slated to attend Lucknow University. Still, the university expressed its inability to host the event. Lovely Professional University had stepped in as an alternative host, only to withdraw at the eleventh hour.
What next?
The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), responsible for staging this annual affair, has taken a different route by contacting universities nationwide and making a public plea for a new host.
ISCA President Arvind Saxena informed on 21st December that the Executive Committee of the Indian Science Congress Association had convened that evening and resolved to suspend the 109th Congress temporarily. Additionally, he mentioned that a decision had been made to issue an appeal on the Association’s website for universities interested in hosting the event.
Saxena mentioned that the ISCA is giving it until February to gauge interest from any university willing to take up the hosting responsibilities. To facilitate this search, the ISCA has formed a five-member committee to identify potential venues for hosting the Congress.
What is the Indian Science Congress?
Since 1914, the ISCA has diligently orchestrated the Indian Science Congress annually. The roots of the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) trace back to the vision and proactive steps taken by two British Chemists, Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P.S. MacMahon. They envisioned fostering scientific research in India could be achieved through an annual gathering of research scholars, modelled somewhat after the British Association for the Advancement of Science.
From its humble start with just a hundred and five members and a presentation of thirty-five papers during the inaugural session, the ISCA has flourished into a robust community, boasting a membership of over forty thousand to date.
The objectives of the ISCA are:
- To promote and advance the cause of science in India.
- To organise an annual congress at a suitable location within India.
- To publish proceedings, journals, transactions, and other publications deemed beneficial.
- To acquire and manage funds and endowments to promote science, including the right to dispose of or sell any portion of the Association’s properties.
- To undertake any other acts, matters, or things conducive, incidental, or necessary for achieving the above objectives.
