THE

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, INDIA

(NASI)
(The Oldest Science Academy of India)

87th Annual Session and Symposium

on
Basic Research - its role in national development

Dates: 8-10 December 2017

Venue

Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune

NASI: A Brief Profile - The idea of establishing a forum for Indian scientists, which would
help them in publishing their researches and bringing them on one platform to discuss and
find scientific solutions to the problems of the country, was mooted by Prof. Meghnad Saha,
a great scientist, visionary and the then Professor of Physics at the University of Allahabad.
His views were published in an article titled 'A Plea for an Academy of Sciences' in
December 1929 issue of the University of Allahabad magazine; in the very next year, The
National Academy of Sciences, India was established as the first Science Academy of this
country. Speaking in the inaugural session, Prof. Saha said:
An Academy of Science can do a great deal by educating public opinion, undertaking
particular problems, and bringing out scientific workers in various fields for discussion
and cooperative research. But the main function of the Academy should be towards
cultural improvement by contributions to human knowledge.

Therefore, NASI strongly feels that Science-Society programmes are a must to generate
scientific temper as well as to solve many societal problems through scientific education and
research. Presently, the programmes are being steered by Prof. Anil Kakodkar, President of
the Academy, and former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission. The Past Presidents,
namely Prof M S Swaminathan, Prof (Mrs.) Manju Sharma, Prof S K Joshi, Prof Ashok
Misra, Prof Asis Datta, Dr V. P. Kamboj, Dr. K. Kasturirangan and Prof. Akhilesh K. Tyagi
have been taking keen interest in the development of Science in general and the Academy,
in particular. The Academy was also nurtured by Late Prof M G K Menon, Prof A K Sharma
and Dr V. P. Sharma- Past Presidents, NASI (who, unfortunately, passed away in the recent
past).

NASI envisions the cultivation and promotion of Science & Technology in all its branches.
The Academy is striving hard to promote Science & Technology by regularly organizing
several activities, such as: (1) publishing two quarterly journals (Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences, India- Section A (Physical Sciences) and Section B (Biological Sciences)
and one bi-monthly journal (National Academy Science Letters); (2) holding an Annual
Session in a scientific and academic institution every year; (3) organizing symposia, seminars
and workshops on subjects of current national and scientific interest; (4) planning and
executing science communication programmes like Science Extension Lectures, State level
Science Contests (Quiz, Debate, Oration, Exhibition, Essay, etc), Talent Search, Teachers
Workshops, Summer/Winter Schools, Vocational Training Programmes, National level
Scientific Creative Writing Contest, Celebration of National Technology Day, National
Science Day and World Environment Day, etc.; (5) recognizing the significant contributions
of scientists at every level by honoring them with Fellowship/Membership/Awards such as
Lecture Awards, NASI-Reliance Awards, NASI-SCOPUS Awards, NASI-Young Scientist Awards
etc.; (6) instituting prestigious Research Fellowships/Chairs/Senior-Scientist Fellowships etc.
to honor distinguished scientists; (7) organizing sensitization programmes for women
researchers/scientists all across the country; (8) conducting the Safe water project; (9)
organizing/conducting other projects and schemes, such as Nutrition Programme for
eradicating malnutrition, Science Awareness Programme for Army Personnel,
Entrepreneurship Development Programmes and a joint programme of NASI & ICAR on Farm
Mechanization/ Implementation, etc.; and (10) establishing river galleries.

Besides the fore-mentioned activities, the Academy also organizes several other activities
jointly with other two National Science Academies- INSA and IASc- all through the year.
Since the year 2000, the annual sessions have been held at places such as Allahabad, Pune,
Shillong, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Pondicherry, Mumbai, Mysore, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Jaipur,
Trivandrum, Varanasi, Goa, Jodhpur, Bhubaneswar and Dehradun. These annual sessions
provide a platform for the scientists across the country to interact, present their papers and
exchange expertise with each other.
The Academy holds a well-organized library known as Dr. Sir Padampat Singhania Library in
which there are two sections, one for research students and teachers and the other for
school students. In the year 2011 the library was connected to National Knowledge Network
(NKN). The Academy is also maintaining 18 Chapters all across the country to organize
scientific activities in and around their respective regions.

Symposium on Basic Research - its role in national development

Basic Research in science and its translation to potential applications that are
relevant to societys needs is essential for a countrys strength in all spheres of
activities. In this context, Indias position in the global ranking of knowledge creation,
judged by the number of research publications in high impact journals has to improve
consistently. Several measures, policy interventions and program initiatives for
promotion of research and development have been launched by the Government of
India, such as: Establishment of Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research
(IISER) and new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Central Universities;
establishment of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB); launch of the
program Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE); launch of the
Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) program; expansion
of the Fund for Infrastructure Strengthening of S&T (FIST) to include autonomous
colleges etc. The pursuit of such evidence-based public policies and aggressive measures
to strengthen basic research has to continue.

Recent times have seen a surge in research related to innovation, invention and
translational product orientation. The Make in India and Start-up programmes
launched by the government are now gaining momentum; but its coherence with basic
research and competitiveness in the global playing field is an issue, which demands
greater attention. Basic research should remain the cornerstone/foundation of the
transformational technologys edifice. There are several dimensions to this, such as
accelerating excellence in research, capability to translate a new scientific idea into a
new technology, sustaining a conducive innovation eco-system, nurturing
entrepreneurship etc., which are at the top of the priority list. Nevertheless, basic
research has to remain our nation's highest priority.

To keep the primary target towards efficient need-driven research, it is crucial to

redefine our priorities, policies and prerogatives. The Academy (NASI), thus decided to
organize the meeting of leading scientists, technocrats, professionals, as well as key
sector leaders and policy makers to undertake an in-depth introspection and analysis of
the problems and prospects of basic research in India, and its role in national
development. The Academy, in its attempt to address such prospects, would deliberate
at length on the technical, scientific, as well as institutional and policy related issues
and potential science and technology interventions, in the context of the new
programmes and initiatives being launched by the Government of India. It is expected
that at the end of the symposium, there would be concrete recommendations which
would require the attention of the funding agencies and policy making bodies to support
basic research with highest national priority.
 THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, INDIA (NASI)
Prof. U.C. Srivastava 5, Lajpatrai Road,
M.Sc.,D.Phil., F.N.A.Sc., F.I.A.N., Allahabad 211 002, India
Prof. Veena Tandon
Ph.D., F.N.A.Sc.,F.Z.S.I., F.H.S.I..
General Secretaries
07.08.2017
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are happy to inform you that the 87th Annual Session of the National Academy of Sciences,
India and Symposium on Basic Research - its role in national development will be held during
December 8-10, 2017 at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune.

On behalf of The National Academy of Sciences, India, we have great pleasure in inviting you to
attend these events and participate in the deliberations.

Scientific Sessions

The Scientific Sessions will be held in two sections: Section of Physical Sciences- Sectional
President Dr Dinakar Kanjilal, Director, Inter University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi; and
Section of Biological Sciences- Sectional President Dr. Chandrima Shaha, Professor of Eminence
and Former Director, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi.

The scientific papers are presented by selected researchers/scientists in scientific sessions, for
which prior submission of the Abstract(s)/Paper(s) is necessary (for details please see the sub-
heading Abstracts, given overleaf).

The National Academy of Sciences, India- Swarna Jayanti Puruskars, each comprising Rs.5000/=
and a citation, will be awarded to young scientists (below the age of 35 years as on 1.1.2018)
presenting the best research paper(s) in the Sections of Physical and Biological Sciences. Another
prestigious award, NASI-Springer Young Scientist Award has also been started from the year
2015, for the young bright researchers and is given as per the norms of NASI and Springer.

Symposium
A Symposium on Basic Research - its role in national development will be held during the
Annual Session. Presentation of papers in the Symposium would only be through invitation. The
Convener of the Symposium is Prof. (Mrs.) Manju Sharma, NASI Distinguished Woman Scientist
Chair & former Secretary to the Govt. of India, DBT, New Delhi; Prof. K.V.R. Chary, Senior
Professor (I), JC Bose Fellow (DST, GOI), Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute
of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, is the Co-convener.

All interested persons are invited to attend the Symposium and Scientific Sessions of Physical
and Biological Sciences; however, the facilities will be available only to those who get
themselves registered with the host institution and enroll themselves as Sessional Members.
Fellows and Members of NASI are exempted from paying the registration fee as well as the
sessional membership fee; for all others, the sessional membership fee is Rs.50/- (for scientists
and stipendiary researchers) or Rs.30/- (for non-stipendiary researchers).

The sessional membership fee should be sent to the Executive Secretary, The National Academy
of Sciences, India by a Bank Draft or Account Payee Local/Multicity Cheque drawn in favour of
The National Academy of Sciences, India.
(Payment in Cash/I.P.O/Money Order/Outstation Cheque will not be accepted).
Through the next Circular, the host institution (Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind
Road, Pune) would inform about the amount and the last date of receipt of
Registration/Accommodation fee.

Privileges

Fellows and Members of the Academy and Sessional Members are entitled to attend the Session
and other activities, submit papers for presentation in scientific sessions, receive copies of the
Presidential Addresses, Abstracts of papers and other related material circulated during the
Session. They will be entitled to rail travel at concessional rates as per rules. Those desiring to
obtain Railway concession should write to the Executive Secretary referring the nature of their
membership.

Abstracts

The abstract(s) of paper(s) (not exceeding 200 words), along with one copy of the full-length
paper for presentation in the scientific session should reach the Office of the Academy at 5,
Lajpatrai Road, Allahabad 211 002, India, latest by October 15, 2017. An author can submit up
to a maximum of three papers, including papers having more than one author.

The advance copy of the abstract may also be sent by email to - nasi.annuals87@gmail.com

Bonafide research scholars are required to get their abstract(s)/research paper(s) forwarded
by the Supervisor and/or the Head of the Department/Institution. All abstracts/papers
submitted for presentation will be screened. Authors whose papers are accepted will be informed
about the mode of presentation (Oral or Poster) at the earliest. The decision of the Academy for
the acceptance/rejection and also for the mode of presentation would be final.
The Academy would pay, on production of the xerox copy of railway tickets, 2nd class rail fare,
by shortest route (both ways) only, to the author who would present the paper provided
his/her travel has not been subsidized by any other agency.

Publication of full length Papers

In case it is desired that a paper presented at the Annual Session be considered for publication in
the journals of the Academy, viz. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India- Part A
(Physical Sciences) or Part B (Biological Sciences)/National Academy Science Letters, it must be
submitted on line as per the prescribed procedure of submission. (For details please see the
website of the Academy). These manuscripts will undergo the usual processing and refereeing as
per rules of the Academy. Papers sent for the Session will not be automatically considered for
publication in the journals of NASI.
Signing of the Fellows Register

The Fellows who have not signed the Fellows register so far, can sign the register in the Fellows
meeting, to be held during the 87th Annual Session.

We once again extend a very cordial invitation to you to participate in the 87th Annual Session
of the National Academy of Sciences, India and Symposium on Basic Research - Its Role in
National Development to be held during December 8-10, 2017 at Savitribai Phule Pune
University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune.

Yours truly
Sd/ U.C. Srivastava
Sd/ Veena Tandon
General Secretaries,
NASI, Allahabad
The host city & institutions:
Considered to be the cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune is known as "Oxford of the East"
due to the presence of several well-known educational institutions in the city. The city has
emerged as a major educational hub in recent decades, with nearly half of the total
international students in the country studying in Pune. Since the 1950s and 1960s, Pune
has had a traditional economic base as most of the old industries continue to grow here.
The city is known for its manufacturing and automobile industries, as well as for research
institutes of information technology (IT), education, management and training, which
attract students and professionals from India, South-East Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Several colleges in Pune have student-exchange programs with colleges in Europe.

Pune was an important centre in the social and religious reform movements of the late
19th century. Prominent social reformers and freedom fighters lived here, including Bal
Gangadhar Tilak, Vitthal Ramji Shinde, Dhondo Keshav Karve, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and
Dr. Raghunath Karve.

The metropolitan Pune area has two of the most important pilgrimage centers for Marathi
Hindu people. These are the towns of Alandi where the Samadhi of the 13th century sant
Dnyaneshwar is located and Dehu where the 17th century sant Tukaram lived. The annual
Vari (foot procession) of the paduka (symbolic sandals) for both these saints in the month
of Ashadh (June/July) make a stopover in the city on their way to Pandharpur and attracts
hundreds of thousands of devotees

Contact Persons from the Local Organising Committee for the 87th Annual Session of NASI at
Pune Prof. D. D. Dhavale, (Chairman- NASI Pune Chapter) and Prof. Dipalee D. Malkhede
(Coordinator- NASI Pune Chapter), Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University,
Ganeshkhind Road, Pune.

Savitribai Phule Pune University

Contact at NASI - Phone : 0532-2640224; Fax : 0532-2641183;

Email: nasi.annuals87@gmail.com
Website : http://www.nasi.org.in; http://www.nasi.nic.in
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