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NIT-DGP Seminar
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SCAI introduced at NIT, Durgapur NIT Durgapur witnessed SCAI introduction on 1st August, 2007, in the presence of Dr. A.K. Gupta, Dr. N. K. Roy and many noted personalities. Dr. N.K. Roy is the Prof. of Electrical Department of NIT Durgapur and Faculty Co-coordinator of SCAI at NIT Durgapur. On the occasion Prof Gupta delivered an introduction lecture attended by over 250 students of the institute. Several innovations were displayed and a questioning session took place. Students were excited by the prospects they can explore through SCAI and NIF. Later students got opportunity to interact with Dr. Gupta on a personal level. After conclusion D. Gupta announced some projects which could be undertaken by NIT Durgapur students under guidance of Institute faculty and offered full technical support from CMERI (Central Mechanical Engineers Research Institute). Ceremony concluded by a vote of thanks by Dr. S K. Dutta (faculty adviser to the organizing team CCA, Centre for Cognitive Activities)
Professor Anil K Gupta has a vision. This vision is now shared by many of us at NIT, Durgapur. On 1st of August a hall packed with eager faces sat and stood enthralled as Prof. Gupta made us realize that the lesser privileged of this country have an 'upar ka malaa, jo khali nahi hai'. He made us realize that for all that we have studied and for all that they haven't they still have the capability to solve problems that we, educated and well off, have learnt to live with. The claps for Md. Saidulla's amphibious bicycle wouldn't ever stop, neither would they for young Remya Jose's simple washing machine or for Appachan's coconut tree climber, or for that matter for any of the many innovators and their innovations.
Such innovations allow people to keep dreaming, to keep aspiring. Aspirations that when fulfilled allow the huge gap that we have between the lesser privileged and the well off to lessen by an extent
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What is more encouraging is the work that National Innovation Foundation (NIF) & Students Club for Augmenting Innovation (SCAI) are doing to promote such innovations. We realized that we as students, as innovators, as members of SCAI can be part of the bigger picture and help in the development of grass root level innovations that are relevant to the society. The anecdotes of Soudh Yatra were very interesting and enlightening too.
He made us understand the fact that we have for long been overlooking our traditional knowledge for the sake of a learning which, I didn't realize it previously, which makes us think within the box instead of outside it. Knowledge which should be passed on through generations has been lost somewhere. That knowledge is encouraged by SCAI and NIF.
After the three hours, or so, which Prof. Gupta spent with us we were an enlightened group of young students who too wanted to do something to further the cause of NIF and SCAI. If a 70 year old can build an amphibious bicycle just so that he can meet the love of his life we too can do a little bit to help him. And I for myself can say that as long as there are people like Prof. Gupta and organizations like NIF the innovations will keep coming.
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