SHIMLA: Prabha Rau, Governor inaugurated the six day long 35th Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition for Children – 2008 organized by the State Government and National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) at Solan on Tuesday.

In her inaugural address on the occasion, Rau stressed upon the need to develop scientific temper among school children so that they could be better scientists, better citizens and capable of governing their personal thoughts and actions in a scientific manner. She said that it would generate a deep interest in young minds to make an effort to understand every activity they are engaged in by asking questions and seeking answers. She further said that scientific aptitude should be inculcated in children's minds at an early stage of education and added that it was the need of the hour to exhibit the ideas of scientific education system in order to develop the potential of individuals and communities so that sustainable development through scientific education could be achieved.

Governor said that science should be utilized for finding ways and means of better resource utilization for sustaining life on earth and added that science should be able to meet the energy and mineral requirements by exploring other planets of solar system.

Rau further said that global warming was a cause of concern for life on earth, which was also affecting production of food grains besides leading to other natural disasters. She said that scientific research should be focused upon natural disasters and crisis management of situations arising out of them. She said that training, good warning systems and preparedness in manpower and material deployment could mitigate the drastic effects of such disasters.

Governor underlined the role of women in the society, who could contribute towards educating the masses. She said that better educated women were more empowered and emancipated, liberating society of its prejudices.

Governor also visited the exhibition stalls and evinced keen interest in the exhibits.

Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Education Minister also spoke on the occasion.

Dr. O.P.Sharma, Director, Higher Education welcomed the Governor.

Dr. G.Ravindra, Joint Director NCERT detailed out the activities of the NCERT.

Dr. Hukam Singh, Head, Department of Education in Science and Mathematics, NCERT detailed out the highlights of the exhibition.

About 300 school children from 23 States, 3 Union Territories, School of Atomic Energy and Navodaya Vidyalayas are participating in the event.

Amandeep Garg, Deputy Commissioner, S.P.S. Verma, Superintendent of Police, Dr.K.R. Dhiman Vice Chancellor, Dr. Y.S.Parmar University Nauni, K.C.Chaman, ADM Solan, Dinkar, Joint Director Higher Education and  Meera Walia Principal, SCERT, were present on the occasion.