KATRA, June 29: The Second five-day, Department of Science and Technology (DST), sponsored "Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)", Science Internship Camp concluded today. While addressing the gathering, Prof. R.N.K.Bamezai, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University said that INSPIRE is a small step and if taken seriously it can transform our country in foreseeable future. He said that it is not constant exposure that matters, sometimes, it is just one initiative or a drop here and there that can make a whole lot of difference.

He said that INSPIRE has all the elements to help motivate the younger generation, and to transform them into capable human resource in S&T. Inventions often happen by chance, however that does not mean that students should not organize themselves. Professor Bamezai thanked all the eminent scientists and academicians who had come to mentor the students in the camp from all over the country.

Speaking during the valedictory function, Prof A K Susheela, Executive Director, Fluorosis Foundation, New Delhi summed up the camp and said that she has not seen such a well structured and well organized scientific programme. She appreciated the enthusiasm shown by the attendees of the camp who had assembled in SMVDU, representing almost all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Prof Susheela appreciated the organizers of the camp for inviting the best brains in science as mentors.

Dr R. A Vishwakarma, Director, IIIM, Jammu said that the Indian scientific setup requires collaborative working in large numbers to tackle some of the challenging problems in science. He said that after attending the camp in SMVDU he is confident that the future of Science in our state and country is bright.

Prof A. Adimurthi, CAM, TIFR, Bangalore stressed the need to increase the duration of such camps beyond five days.

The camp had started on June 25, 2010. INSPIRE is an innovative programme of DST with an objective to communicate to the young attendees the excitement of creative pursuits of Science, attract talent to the study of Science at an early stage and build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding Science and Technology system.

Dr. S. K. Wanchoo, Coordinator, INSPIRE, SMVDU expressed his satisfaction over the successful conduct and culmination of the camp