January 02, 2012 orissadiary.com

Bhubaneswar: DRDO presents a grand exposition of its technologies and series of invited talks from its leading scientists during the ensuing “99th Indian Science Congress”.Scheduled to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh tomorrow in Bhubaneswar at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University.

Glimpse of technological might of the Defence Research & Development Organisation-DRDO, like the tradition of earlier years, will be on display at the “Pride of India-Science Expo”, a part of the “99th ISC”, where DRDO scientists from over 30 laboratories will be present for lively interactions with the visitors, especially students. The main aim is to present the science and technologies in strategic sector for national security and the excitement of scientific challenges to the young creative minds.

The star attractions among the outdoor models are strategic and tactical missiles Agni and Prithvi, Nag, Akash, BrahMos and Astra. The indoor models will cover the entire gamut of R&D in DRDO. Prominent will be India’s own Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas; UAVs NISHANT and Lakshya, Bridging systems Sarvatra& BLT T-72; Autonomous Underwater Vehicle; Torpedoes; and Decoys. Military Communication equipment; Electronic Warfare systems, Night Vision Devices: Microwave Devices; NBC protective systems; Agro-animal technologies and “Packaged Food products” will be the other attractions.

A key ingredient of the DRDO presence will be the public lecture “Innovations in Science & Technology - A DRDO Perspective” by the noted scientist and well known expert in missile technologies Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, SA to RM, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Director General DRDO, on Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012. He will also interact with the participants of Children’s Science Congress later the day.

Dr. W Selvamurthy, Distinguished Scientist and Chief Controller (R&D), will chair a Session on NBC Defence Technologies for Armed Forces and Civilians on Thursday and deliver the Theme Lecture. DRDO has developed many products related to NBC Defence for Service use like NBC Recce Vehicle to monitor and demarcate the contaminated area and transmit the data to the command and control centres for further planning, response and management;NBC water purification system; self-contained underground field shelters to house about 30 men for four days; highly effective antigen kits; individual protective suits and respiratory management and resuscitative devices. Sixty four products/systems have been developed for early detection, personnel protection, decontamination and medical management. Most of these products are already productionised and inducted into armed forces in large quantities. All these items are in production and being used by the Services making the country self-reliant in this vital area. They also have the potential to be used in the civil sector. The session comprises four lectures by Directors of DRDO Laboratories on various aspects of NBC Technologies.

The Session II of Women’s Science Congress on Thursday will be chaired by Dr. ShashiBala Singh, Director, DIPAS, Delhi. DrChitraRajagopal, Associate Director, CFEES, Delhi and DrTessy Thomas, Project Director, Agni 4, ASL , Hyderabad will be Co-Chairs. This session will also have lectures by Ms. Nabanita R Krishnan, Director DMIST, DRDO Headquarters and Dr G Rohini Devi, Programme Director, ASL, Hyderabad.