Can science festivals transform the future of innovation in India? My experience at #ISF2025 says YES!

The India Science Festival (ISF-2025), organized by @FASTIndia, was a remarkable event aimed at popularizing science among the masses. The festival brought together exceptional speakers, both national and international, and featured insightful talks, panel discussions, and interactive sessions that celebrated the wonders of science.

It was incredible to see students' curiosity during my talk on nanotechnology for climate change. Events like these can truly spark a love for science in the younger generation!

However, some challenges emerged, particularly with the audience. A significant number of Marathi-speaking school students struggled with comprehension due to language barriers and the technical level of certain talks, which were more suited for older students. Several teachers pointed out that such events need to cater more effectively to younger audiences and be conducted in regional languages to bridge these gaps.

Overall, #ISF2025 was a much-needed initiative to rekindle interest in science, especially in states like Maharashtra, where students often gravitate toward engineering and medicine.

Hosting similar festivals in local languages across India could further sensitize students and their parents to the critical role of science in societal and planetary well-being.
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#IndiaScienceFestival #Nanotechnology #ClimateChange #ScienceForAll #STEMEducation #PopularScience #SicenceInMarathi

It has been an outstanding week for the TIFR Nanocat group, driven by the remarkable efforts of our talented PhD students.

#On October 21st, SAIDEEP SINGH won the Best Poster Award at the IUPAC Green Chemistry Conference in Beijing, China, for his pioneering research on plasmonic catalysis and upconversion of waste plastics.

#On October 23rd, RISHI VERMA was recognized with the Best Oral Award at the CRSI-ACS Early Career Researchers Symposium 2024, where he presented his PhD thesis on plasmonic catalysis using the antenna-reactor concept.

#On October 24th, GUNJAN SHARMA secured the 5th Commonwealth Chemistry Poster Award for her work on hot electron-driven acetylene semi-hydrogenation using air-stable plasmonic nanoreactors of ‘black gold’ powered by sunlight.

#Finally on October 26th, GUNJAN SHARMA, has won The 2024 Nano Letters Seed Grant! This prestigious award highlights some of the most compelling nanoscience and nanotechnology innovations from graduate students around the world. Her work on plasmonic nanomaterials and catalytic CO2 conversion is truly groundbreaking. 

These achievements are a testament to the dedication, creativity, and hard work of these brilliant students, who are the true driving force behind making our group known globally.

Their groundbreaking research continues to elevate the reputation of the TIFR Nanocat group, showcasing our contribution to solving some of the most pressing challenges in catalysis and sustainability.

​Excited to see what the future holds!

Yesterday, I returned from my very first visit to China, where I had the honor of delivering a keynote talk at the IUPAC Green Chemistry Conference in Beijing (https://www.greeniupac2024.org/). It was a remarkable experience—one that not only reinforced my appreciation for Chinese scientific progress but also deepened my understanding of the people and their culture.

My connection with Chinese scientists goes back to 2005, during my first postdoc in France, where I worked closely with Chinese colleagues. This collaboration continued through my time in the USA and later at KAUST, where I benefited from strong partnerships and made lasting friendships with Chinese researchers. Even after returning to India, I have maintained excellent scientific collaborations with my Chinese counterparts, always feeling a sense of friendship that transcended borders. In India, we often say, "India-China bhai bhai", which means "India and China are brothers." I’ve always felt this brotherly connection with the Chinese scientists I’ve worked with, but I wondered if this sentiment extended beyond the academic world.

During my recent visit to China, I had the chance to go beyond the conference and explore the country. I interacted with locals, visited cultural sites, and experienced daily life in Beijing. What I found was deeply moving: the Chinese people are remarkably similar to us in India. Their values around family, relationships, and respect for others mirror our own. Despite language barriers—often overcome with the help of translation apps—I found them to be warm, friendly, and incredibly helpful. It felt as though I was among brothers and sisters, and it made me realize how deeply connected our cultures are.

This experience has strengthened my belief that we need to reconnect with our Chinese neighbours. India needs good relations with China, and I believe that, at the people-to-people level, there is already a foundation of mutual respect. It is now up to us to overcome the barriers that divide us and re-establish a bond of friendship.

In terms of scientific research, China is far ahead of us. Their institutions are conducting ground-breaking work across a wide range of fields, supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure that is unmatched in India. The respect and recognition that scientists receive for their work is incredible, and their government's support is highly commendable. For example, I received my visa in just three days—a stark contrast to the challenges Chinese scientists face in obtaining visas for India. Sadly, there are no formal India-China scientific collaboration programs at the moment, which I believe is a missed opportunity for both nations.

We should collaborate with them. Chinese scientists are open, positive, and supportive, and I am confident they would welcome deeper ties with India. Strengthening our scientific collaboration could be the key to improving relations on multiple fronts, not just in research but also in diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange.
 
Indian science is also progressing rapidly. We are not only increasing our research output but also achieving quality breakthroughs. Our talent pool of dedicated scientists and students is unmatched, and our culture of hard work and innovative thinking is ingrained in our DNA. Ancient India’s emphasis on knowledge, education, and wisdom is parallel to China's rich tradition of valuing intellectual pursuits.

I sincerely hope that the Indian government recognizes the potential in fostering closer ties with China, especially in the scientific realm. The benefits of collaboration are immense, and by working together, we can elevate both nations in the global scientific community while contributing to the greater good of humanity.
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Let us look ahead with optimism, embrace the opportunities to work with our Chinese counterparts, and pave the way for a future where India and China grow stronger together—scientifically, culturally, and diplomatically.

Vivek Polshettiwar
23rd October 2024

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Prof. Vivek Polshettiwar, PhD, FNASc, FASc
Department of Chemical Sciences (DCS),
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR),
Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400005 India
Phone: +91-22-2278 2792/2051
Email: [email protected] 
Home page: https://www.nanocat.co.in/
          https://www.tifr.res.in/~dcs
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