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The Indian Science Congress I 2000, which will'be held in Pune from January 3 to 7, will discuss among other things, on how India could best ride the information technology (IT) wave and leverage its IT skills to emerge a leader in the new millennium.

The Congress will also be the launching pad for a global convention '"The Genesis' on IT and biotechnology. At this forum, successful international technopreneurs of Indian origin will participate in an open discussion with their Indian counterparts to examine how to stem the flow of Indians to Silicon Valley and instead create an Indian Silicon Valley, Triange Park, or Wall Street.

 

It will also identify how science can best serve society. For instance, the need for IT emerges not just for its own sake but also so that it can be effectively used in education, and electronic governance to improve transparency.

"One of the aims is to make every Indian a knowledge worker," said R A Mashelkar, secretary, department of scientific and industrial research, prime mover of the ISC2000, at a special prelaunch briefing for the press on Wednesday. "A knowledge worker could be a farmer who can get access to weather forecasting sitting in his village using knowledge tools and make decision accordingly," he said. The younger generation, will be given special attention. "By 2015, 55 per cent of the Indian population will be less than 50 years of age.

This age-goup will propel us into the 21st century. Hence instead of focussing on seniors, young people will speak at the ISC," Mashelkar said. About 25 outstanding young scientists have been invited to share their expenences and vision with,the congregation.

There will be a session on in tellectual property and the need to create and protect the wealth created. Eminent speakers at the ISC will Dr Kasturirangar, Dr Abul Kalam and Kumararriargalam instrumental in the space, defence and atomic energy programmes, Respectively. description" content="">