Jammu:  Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday emphasised the harnessing of young aptitudes.

Speaking after inaugurating the “Children Science Festival” organised here by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Dr Singh also took a round of the stalls in the exhibition put up on the occasion and witnessed different kinds of science models prepared by the students.

The students drawn from the schools of Jammu region have also scripted slogans under the themes like Health and Wellness, Water Conservation, Waste Management and Save Mother Earth.

Addressing the school students, Dr Singh narrated how the Jigyasa programme is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a new India and Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) of Scientific Community and Institutions.

Jigyasa is a student – scientist connect programme implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).

Dr. Singh applauded the efforts of CSIR-IIIM for organizing such outreach activities for students from schools and colleges.

He said that such activities help to increase the scientific aptitude and inculcates the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in young minds. He also distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions organised during the Children Science Festival.

He said, India’s first Virtual Science Lab for Children under CSIR Jigyasa Programme was launched, which built a strong connect between students and Scientists with scientists across the country.

He also said, the main objective of establishing the Virtual Lab was to provide quality research exposure and innovative pedagogy for school students based on an online interactive medium. He said, the new facility will immensely benefit students from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Government Schools of various States Boards and will help in catching them young.

Today, in the Children Science Festival, more than 350 students from about 55 schools under the government of J&K, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodya Vidyalayas, Army Public Schools, Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Schools, etc, from various districts of Jammu region showcased their talent in various competitions such as Science models (Themes : Health & wellness; Water conservation; Waste management; Save mother Earth), Science/current affairs Quiz Competition, Poster competition on ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ and Slogan writing competition on ‘Space Mission of India’. Students of Seva Bharti, an NGO that provides free education and vocational training to children from economically weaker sections of society. These students displayed various products developed under the ‘Waste to Wealth’ theme.

Earlier, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, gave the details of the event and said that the main objective of the Children Science Festival is to ignite the scientific spirit in young minds.