Rohit Kumar
Port Blair, 27 February 2023
Science Centre, Port Blair has been the key entity involved in promotion of Science among the students of these Islands. As part of the National Science Day celebration, Science Centre is organizing a series of activities for students of various age groups. In order to educate the students about horticultural diversity of the Islands, an exposure trip was organized for the college students to ICAR-CIARI on 25th February 2023.
During the visit, Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI emphasised on the importance and need of general awareness about science among the youth. Dr. Pooja Bohra, Scientist, ICAR-CIARI explained about diversity of various underutilized native and exotic fruit species being multiplied at the Horticultural Plants Propagation Unit of the Institute. Dr. Ajit Arun Waman, Scientist, ICAR-CIARI discussed various issues of quality parameters of spices including essential oil and adulterations in the commercial spices.
Different value added products prepared from native fruits and spices at the institute were also demonstrated to make them aware about employment opportunities from processing sector. Various multiplication techniques of horticultural crops etc. were showcased to the students.
A field visit was also made to the Garcinia Conservation Block, during which students were enlightened about various growth, phenological aspects and cultivation techniques of conserved species. The students actively participated in the interaction session. Around 55 graduate students from Tagore Government College of Education and Jawaharlal Nehru Rajakiya Mahavidyalaya participated in the event.
Thereafter, a feedback test was conducted & based on the performance, Miss. Keya Biswas, B.Sc BEd, TGCE, Shri Subham Dubey, M.Sc. (Botany) JNRM, Miss. Susmita Bhattachargjee, B.Sc Bed, TGCE and Miss. Deepa Dhali, B.Sc. BEd, TGCE were declared as 1st , 2nd , 3rd & Consolation prize winners. The prizes will be distributed on the occasion of National Science Day to be celebrated on 28th February, 2023 in the auditorium of Science Centre.