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| THEY ARE NOT INDIANS, BUT THEY HAVE DONE INDIA TRULY PROUD |
| By : Flynn Remedios | Previous | Next |
| Posted on : 18 Dec, 2008 | Total Views : 107 |
Thousand-plus students, teaching faculty, Indian scientists, local media persons, politicians and bureaucrats present at the Science Conclave IIIT-Allahabad on Thursday (18th December 2008) all echoed the same sentiment and feelings for the Nobel Laureates who are spending seven days at the IIIT-Allahabad.
The applause was resounding and heartfelt when Dy Speaker of the Lok Sabha S Charnjit Singh Atwal praised the Nobel Laureates Prof. Claude Cohen Tannaudji, Prof. Jerome Issac Friedman, Prof. Harold Kroto, Prof. Martin L Perl and Prof Slovnov who were on the dais with him for the zeal and enthusiasm with which they interacted with students and faculty from 9 am to 9 pm without even breaking for lunch or tea.
Their fervor and passion was evident when in spite of the biting cold they were present on the dais at 9.30 am and began their technical interaction with the students sharp on time. While the students kept their flood of questions coming, Friedman who had bad throat and who could barely speak without coughing kept his answers flowing. The same was with Perl, Slovnov and Kroto who never tired from speaking to the students.
In fact, as a media person who has covered many international events over the last 15 years as well as Bollywood functions and award ceremonies, I couldn't help but think of how some of our Bollywood stars rush to their vanity vans or hotel suites as soon as their press conferences are over. They go strictly by schedule and will not give the media or public even a few minutes more.
But the Nobel Laureates have been speaking continuously for the last four days with just a few hours of rest at night. It was truly admirable on their part - the zeal to answer even the most mundane of questions without criticism. In fact, instead of criticism (for the dumb questions) they had only words of praise and admiration for the 18 to 20 year-olds who bombarded them with questions.
All we can say is - They are not Indians but they have truly done India proud.
For the first time in Asia, the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) is hosting the biggest Asian gathering of international Nobel Laureates at the Nobel Laureates Conclave, IIIT, Allahabad from December 15 to 21st, 2008. The Nobel Laureates Conclave is part of the Science Conclave 2008 - a week-long mega symposium, exhibition and lecture series on science and technology. More than 2000 delegates including students, scientists from India and all over the world are attending this event.
Written By : Flynn Remedios
