'Scientists have made India world's intellectual capital'

MYSURU : India is the intellectual capital of the world, and the people have intellectual talent, former Kuvempu University vice-chancellor Chidananda Gowda said here on Saturday.
He was delivering the inaugural address of 'Brahmanda', a symposium on astronomy and space applications for students, jointly organized by Rotary Mysuru Mid-town, National Institute of Technology (NIE) and People's Science Forum (PSF) at NIE College.
Gowda said the country's scientists have contributed in a big way towards space technology and its applications, and recalled Satyendra Nath Bose who theatrized the concept of the 'God particles'. Nath made a huge contribution in researching the God particles, and even foreign scientists have agreed that India is a country of intellectuals, he said.
Recalling his tenure in NIE as a professor, he said he has seen Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy as a student here. "Murthy has brought name and fame to the nation and laurels to the institution. Students must try to become like Murthy," he suggested.
Senior scientist at Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) V Jagannath said students have skill and talent, and must be cautious about the environment. "We need to unite in protecting the environment. We are the environment. It's in our hands to protect it," he said.
Bhanuchandran of Rotary Mid-Town said they plan to bring high school students together to participate in an event which would be both interesting and intriguing. The objective of the symposium is to highlight the wonders of the cosmos, understand its mysteries and enthuse young minds about physics and astronomy. It also aims to explore research opportunities in astronomy and interact with intellectual minds on the subject, he said.