Kerala Women's Science Congress begins

"The rising temperature of the Earth is seeking to say something about the arrogance of man that has become the biggest challenge of the future of the Earth. The Earth is changing and has stopped enduring all", said Binoy Viswom, the Minister for Forests and Housing on the challenges of climate change and depletion of biodiversity that has become the biggest concern of the world.

Speaking after inaugurating the three-day conference of the first Kerala Women's Science Congress 2010, organised by Shakti and St. Teresa's College with a focal theme on Women and Biodiversity, Mr. Viswom said that money and profiteering has given new meaning for development that is tearing apart the biodiversity.

Development should not be held back, but it should be for the masses with an eye on the future, he added. All the foundations that man has created on this Earth are now crumbling, he said, adding that the future of man on this Earth is rather unsafe.

"Like we study about dinosaurs from fossils, thousand years from now thinking creatures of the future may study about man from the fossils and tag them as fools who tried to destroy their home". The ever increasing red data book gives an indication of man's developmental activities on the Earth, he said.

Women and biodiversity are best connected as they give life to the human race, said the Minister. More than the male counterparts, they are mentally and physically more close to understanding the problems of the Earth, he said. "If there is a sixth sense the woman has it", said the Minister.

The concept of development needs to be changed and he hoped that it would become a debating point at the Women's Science Congress'.

K. Mohandas, Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Health and Allied Sciences and Jancy James, Vice Chancellor, Central University, Kerala, were the guests of honour on the occasion. Dr Mohandas released the Book of Abstracts of the Science Congress while Dr. James released the and the logo for the Congress.

Sister Christebelle, Principal, St. Teresa's College and Chairperson, KWSC-2010, presided over the function. In her address, she hoped that women scientists would be encouraged to take up scientific research and be acknowledged too. So far the very few women (10 out of 433) figure among the awardees of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award given for scientists. There are only 17 women in the Young Scientists Award out of the 133 awardees.

C. P. Tara, secretary general, KWSC 2010, spoke about the Congress. Bindu Suraj, national Co-ordinator of Shakti, gave a profile of Shakti's activities. Earlier, Rajalakshmi Subramanian, Convenor, KWSC-2010, welcomed the gathering while Elsam Joseph, head of the Botany Department, St. Teresa's College and secretary of KWSC, proposed a vote of thanks.

Dr. Jayashree Vencatesan, Care Earth Trust, Chennai and Dr. Brandon S. Corrie, Chief Conservator of Forests, spoke on the main theme Women and Biodiversity in the first plenary session.

Sister Dr. Avita, Co-ordinator, Off campus centre of M. G. University, St. Teresa's College, chaired the session. Technical sessions on Life Science and Agriculture Science were held on the first day of the conferece.

Apart from this, Research and Review Papers are invited in the following subjects Physical Science Chemical Science Mathematical Science Engineering Sciences Life science Health science Environmental Science Agricultural Science Information Technology