Patna. It’s official now that the much touted Bihar Science Conference would not have the blessings of the learned scientist and the former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam thanks to the lateral drama in the corridors of power.
Though the conference, which is to commence on May 7, would go ahead as per schedule but the state government has withdrawn support from the host Bihar Brains.
“Yes, Dr. Kalam is not coming to the conference due to government’s internal policy,” said Bibhuti Bikramaditya, the chairman of Bihar Brains.
The ex-president was to deliver the key-note address in the meet likely to be attended by more than 400 academicians from across the globe including India.
Denying that this would affect the programme in any way, he said that the meet would occur without depending on the government. But, Bibhuti added, while talking to this correspondent over telephone that he would meet the chief minister Nitish Kumar regarding this issue.
“It will be a setback to the scientific environment in the state but we want that the newly acquired image of Bihar must not be distorted,” he stated.
Meanwhile, sources in the Science and Technology ministry have said that the chief minister himself expressed displeasure with the way a renowned luminary like Dr. Kalam was regularly getting invitations. It has also come in the light that the state government is quite unwilling to work together with an NGO.
Bikramaditya said that the scientific advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. S.E. Hasnain will be the chief guest while Prof. Shyam Lal, the Vice Chancellor of Patna University, will inaugurate the event.
Among the experts who have confirmed their participation for the meeting include Dr. Animesh from Leeds University, Dr. Ajay from Colorado University, Head of Psychophysics of Max Planck Brain Research Institute of Germany, Dr. (Prof) Ruxandra Sireteanu, Dept of Engineering Sciences of Oxford University, Dr. Bhaskar Choubey, Colorado State University of USA, Dr. Ajay Jha, VC of Sikkim Manipal University, Dr. Jay Kumar and Prof Raman Jha, Head of Physics department of Sikkim Manipal University.
Bihar
