3rd Science Conference of Kolkata district
The 3rd Science Conference of Kolkata district organised by Breakthrough Science Society in collaboration with IQAC and the Department of Electronics, Vidyasagar College for Women, was held on March 30, 2025.
Dr. Nirmal Duari, Joint Secretary of the District Committee welcomed the gathering and gave an introduction about the objectives of the conference. Prof Deb Shankar Roy, former IACS Director inaugurated the conference. Special guests included IISER Kolkata Scientist and Former Professor Narayan Banerjee, Scientist Prof. Amitabh Dutta, Principal of Vidyasagar College for Women Dr. Sutapa Roy, IQAC Coordinator Dr. Tapan Roy, and State Secretary of BSS WB State Committee, Dr. Tapan Kumar Si.
The conference consisted of 3 sessions. The first session was a seminar titled “Climate Change and Environmental Problems of Kolkata” . ISI Kolkata scientist Prof. Prabal Chowdhury and Sister Nivedita University professor Rupali Gangopadhyay highlighted the harmful effects of climate change. The speakers discussed Kolkata’s environmental challenges and the necessary actions by both the administration and the public to address them. This seminar was moderated by Dr. Nilesh Ranjan Maiti, Principal of Shishuram Das College and Executive President BSS WB State Committee.
In the second session, a seminar titled “Nature – The Greatest Discoverer” was held. Dr. Kanchan Kumar Chowdhury, a retired Science Communicator from the National Council for Science Museums, presented an insightful discussion using slides. This session was conducted by Dr. Tapan Kumar Si. Dr.Chowdhury’s presentation generated significant interest among the student delegates.
In the concluding session, Bhatnagar Awardee scientist and distinguished professor at IISER Kolkata and the General Secretary of the All India Committee, BSS Prof. Soumitro Banerjee addressed the delegates on the importance of promoting scientific thinking. He discussed the necessary steps to foster scientific awareness and its applications in daily life. He urged everyone to develop a strong science movement to counter the current attacks on education and science. His valuable speech will serve as a guiding path for the future of the science movement. All India vice president Subrata Gouri, was present in this session and Prof. Debabrata Bera, president of BSS Kolkata presided over the session.
The conference was attended by approximately 160 students, researchers, and faculty representatives from various schools, colleges, and universities across Kolkata. A 70-member Kolkata District Committee was elected, with Dr. Rupali Gangopadhyay, a renowned science writer and Professor of Chemistry at Sister Nivedita University (SNU), as President. Baidyanath Mahato, Researcher, Jadavpur University and Gautam Maity, an engineer from a reputed firm were elected as Joint Secretaries. Snigdha Dutta was elected as Treasurer and Bibek Singha as Office Secretary.
The conference concluded with a felicitation ceremony for Prof. Mihir Dam and Dr. Shubhra Prakash Kajli, former Joint Secretary of the District Committee and convener of the conference organizing committee. Their contributions were acknowledged as instrumental in the successful execution of the event.