With all humility, I can vouch that there could not have been a better New Year gift to KIIT by the Association of Indian Science Congress nor could there have been a better place than Bhubaneswar to hold the 99th session of the Indian Science Congress. The congregation of great scientific minds of the country in the campus of one young and promising University – KIIT, is indeed a matter of pride for everyone in the state of Odisha. KIIT, playing the host to this greatest scientific extravaganza, in academic collaboration of NISER welcomes to all the great scientists, academicians, researchers and young budding scientists attending the session.
Science, over the year has broadened its definition. It has become a way of life and the quality of life depends much on the application of scientific knowledge, research and experiments. Indian Science Congress would help in getting relevant information on the advancement of scientific knowledge and its application for the benefit of the society. There can never be any two opinions on the fact that with every session of Indian Science Congress, the scientific world gets enriched.
Universities have remained epicenters of scientific knowledge. KIIT University, despite being relatively young always gives priority to research and utilization of the benefits of research for creating a world sans hunger and ignorance. KIIT has made a beginning through its unique experiment called KISS that works relentlessly to empower the poorest of the poor under-privileged sections of the society through education and sustainable livelihood. It is indeed a great moment for KIIT and KISS that the session of National Children Science Congress coinciding with the 99th session of ISC is being held in this campus and I take this opportunity in welcoming the child scientists to this University.
KIIT, a young University with lot of enthusiasm has carved a niche for itself for the excellent hospitality and personalized care it offers to every visitor coming to the campus. The serene, scenic and sublime environ and the academic ambiance of KIIT are just the perfect setting for a significant event like the 99th session of the Indian Science Congress. We promise to welcome you as a participant of this great event and you would go back to your places as our friends and family members of KIIT with fond memories.
I, on behalf of KIIT & KISS welcome you all and wish each one of you the very best.
I wish the Congress all success and I wish you a very Happy New Year 2012.
Dr. A. Samanta
Founder – KIIT & KISS
Chief Patron
99th Session of Indian Science Congress

GENERAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Greetings and hearty welcome to the 99th session of Indian Science Congress being held from Jan 3rd to 7th2012 at Bhubaneswar. The congress will be jointly hosted by the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar.
The country is poised to achieve transformation from being a developing country into a developed country by 2020. In order to achieve this, it is but necessary to focus on inclusive development. Science and Technology alone can help in the realization of this goal. It is important to promote innovation driven research and develop appropriate technologies to ensure that the diverse population with diverse needs that forms the fabric of India is richly benefited by science and technology.
It is important that women are not left behind in this march towards prosperity. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehruji remarked “the advancement of a nation can be judged by the status women enjoy”. It may be noted that of the 8 millennium goals identified by the UN at least five directly centre round women namely.

• Promoting gender equality and empowerment of women
• Achieving universal primary education
• Reducing child mortality
• Improving maternal health
• Combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases and three indirectly namely Eradicating extreme poverty, Ensuring environmental sustainability and Developing a global partnership

The 99th session of Indian Science Congress intends to draw the attention of scientists, technocrats and all stake holders towards the need to employ science and technology to reach the unreached and to empower every citizen. Tapping the potential of and increasing the efficiency of over one billion population effectively in doing whatever they are required to and capable of doing can have a tremendous impact not only within the country but globally. India which enjoys demographic advantage is poised to achieve such a revolution, provided science and technology is employed in the most effective way.
It is especially significant that the Congress is held in the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) with the sister institution Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) which creates an admirable pool of talent out of 15,000 tribal children, picked up from the poorest of the poor families, adopted and educated in the best possible environs from kindergarten to Post graduation. This talent would have gone unnoticed otherwise and reminds one of the vast untapped potential hidden in the nooks and corners of the country emphasizing the importance of inclusive development. It is a heartening sight to see thousands of tribal children thronging the campus filled with confidence and burning desire to achieve. As the General President of the Indian Science Congress Association, I feel privileged to extend a cordial invitation to every one who is interested in contributing for the welfare of humanity through science and technology. I do hope the deliberations will enthuse every scientist to focus on the needs of every section of the people that are spread over this vast country and the rest of the world.
Finally, the State of Odisha, cradled between sunlit waters of Bay of Bengal and the lush green forests on Eastern Ghats is a sample of the diversity India can boast of. It is known for its rich biodiversity including rich marine fauna with pristine beaches across 482 km of coastline, wild life sanctuaries, the largest brackish water lake in Asia and lagoons, bird sanctuaries and gorgeous waterfalls. Bhubaneswar is known for its architectural marvel of 13th century, the sun temple referred to as “poetry in stone” and several other temples fetching the name “the city of temples”. The city is known for its own unique arts and crafts including applique work of Pipli and filigree. Bhubaneswar has something interesting in store for every type of visitor. Once again, I extend a warm welcome to one and all.
Geetha Bali
General President

– Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore

Member, Bioinformatics Task Force

– Department of Biotechnology, Government of India

Member

- National Assessment and Accreditation Council Review Committees

Resource Person, World Bank