Pran Nath Vohra Oration lecture marks foundation day of Panjab University

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, today delivered the Panjab University (PU) Foundation Day Lecture-cum-Pran Nath Vohra Oration on ‘India @ 2030 Marching Forward: Science and Technology Space in India’.

The PU authorities also commemorated the 100th birth anniversary of late Om Parkash Vig, a distinguished chemist and the former chairperson of the university’s Department of Chemistry, by releasing a biography chronicling his life, achievements and scientific contributions. A special cover release by the India Post was also unveiled on the occasion.

PU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Renu Vig presented the Pran Nath Vohra citation to Prof Ajay Kumar Sood. In her address, she recalled the contributions of Dr Om Parkash Vig. She also highlighted the rich legacy of the institution.

In his scintillating talk, Prof Sood talked about the role of science and technology in the holistic development of the nation. He stressed the need to embrace artificial intelligence and quantum computing as the forerunners on the global front.

Former VC Prof Arun Grover presented an introduction about the day, while Prof SS Bari and Prof Rajendra Singh gave brief introductions about Emeritus Professor Prof OP Vig.

Book released

During the event Prof Ajay Kumar Sood released a book titled ‘Nobel Stories: Luminaries of Indian Science’. the book is an outcome of a collaborative effort between the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST) and the University of Oldenburg, Germany.

The book is about Indian scientists who rubbed shoulders with the best in their fields at the global level and how they could do so because they derived joy in engaging themselves in unraveling the complexities of science.

The book is a unique anthology of the account of the lives and works of scientists who received the Nobel Prize or got nominated for it.