BSS programmes in West Bengal

May 2011 to October 2011

2011-11-16T04:41:00.000-08:00

In the period from May 2011 to October 2011, the main central programme was to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the legendary scientist Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray. An All Bengal Committee has been formed for this purpose. As per the decision of the Committee, a Bengali booklet has been published on the life and work of Acharya Ray. The Committee appealed to the people to form district level committees. Responding to the call, such committees have been formed in the Howrah, Murshidabad, Purulia, Bankura, Burdwan, East- and West-Midnapur, North- and South 24 Parganas districts. The All Bengal Committee also decided to hold science competitions at the subdivision, district, and state levels. The following competitions were held.

1. Science Through Experiments: In this event a student has to perform an experiment to demonstrate any of the theories that is taught in the class (that is, included in that class' science curriculum). There were three groups: (a) 7th and 8th standards, (b) 9th and 10th standards, (c) 11th and 12th standards.

2. Essay competition: There were four groups, and the subject of the essay for each group were as follows: (a) 5th and 6th standards: Acharya P. C. Ray's life (b) 7th and 8th standards: Acharya P. C. Ray's social service (c) 9th and 10th standards: Acharya P. C. Ray's role in establishing nationalist industry (d) Open to all: The relevance of Acharya P. C. Ray in the present time. Each competitor had to write a 500 word essay on the assigned topic within 30 minutes at the venue of the competition.

3. Extempore speech competition: This event was open to all. The topics were announced in advance. A competitor had to draw one by lottery and had to speak on that topic in 5 (4+1) minutes. The topics were (a) The problem of global warming, (b) The problem of reducing groundwater level, (c) Arsenic pollution: the problem and the remedy, (d) The problem of belief in witches, (e) Will the world really come to an end in the year 2012? (f) Is nuclear energy a desirable alternative to conventional power? (g) Non-conventional sources of energy, (h) The hazard of large-scale use of chemical fertilizers, (i) The role of mathematics in building a rational bent of mind, (j) Is astrology a science?

4. Science quiz: The questions were designed to test reasoning rather than rote learning. There were two groups: (a) up to the 10th standard (b) 11th and 12th standard. A team of three students could represent a school.

The competitions held in different districts were as follows. Each competition was followed by a discussion on the life and work of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray.

West Midnapur: Subdivision-level competitions were held in
Ghatal, Kharagpur, Gopiballavpur, and Midnapur town on 29th July. The
speakers in the four programmes were Pulakesh Aich, Soumitro Banerjee,
Dinesh Mohanta, and Makhan Goswami respectively. The district-level
competition was held at 22 August at Midnapur.

East Midnapur: Subdivision-level competitions were held in
Tamluk (15 January), Bajkul (17 January), Contai (22 January), Haldia
(6 March), Tamluk (13 March), and Mecheda (23 July). The
district-level competition was held at Tamluk on 24 July, and
Dr. Tapan Si discussed the life and work of Acharya P. C. Ray.

Bankura: The district-level competition was held on 31st August, speaker: Dinesh Mohanta.

Purulia: The district-level competition was held on 21st August, speaker: Dinesh Mohanta.

South 24 Parganas: The district-level competition was held on 28th August, Speaker: Dr. Tapan Si.

Hooghly: The district-level competition was held on 21st August, at Chuchura. Speaker: Debasis Ray.

Murshidabad: Subdivision-level competitions were held in Hariharpara (19 July), Islampur (25 July), Beldanga (4 September), Behrampur (5 Sepember). The district-level competition was held in Berhampur town on 25 September. Prof. Purnendu Sen, Prof. Sukumar Mal, and Prof. Subhasis Maity discussed the life and work of Acharya Ray.

Nadia: A subdivision-level competition was held at Kalyani town on 31 July. Prof. Ashoke Prasun Chatterjee, Prof. Alok Kumar Banerjee (VC, Kalyani University), Prof. Soumitro Banerjee, Prof. Smaran Acharya and Prof. Biplab Dasgupta were among the speakers in the seminar.

Burdwan: Subdivision-level competitions were held in Kalna (21 August), Katwa (21 August), Asansole (21 August), and NIT Durgapur (20-21 August). The district-level competition was held in the Burdwan town on 4 September.

Kolkata: Local-level competitions were held in South Kolkata (22 August), North Kolkata (22-23 August), Naktala (10 July), Behala (23 July), and Nimta (22 Aug). The district-level competition was held on 28th August, at the Hindu School. Mr. Debasis Ray was the main speaker.

State-level Competition:
After the subdivision-level and district-level competitions, the state-level competition was held at the University College of Science, Rajabazar, Kolkata, on 11 September. Hundreds of students thronged the university premises from early morning. Eminent scientists and educationists were among the panel of judges for various programmes. In the concluding session Prof. Samaresh Bhattacharya and Mr. Debasis Ray discussed the life and work of Acharya Ray, which was followed by the prize distribution ceremony. Prof. Dulal Mukhopadhyay presided over the sesssion.

Programmes during January-April 2011

2011-06-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

In this period the main central programme was to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the legendary scientist Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray. An All Bengal Committee has been formed for this purpose, which met on 30th October 2010, 5th December 2010, 9th January 2011, and 16 February 2011. As per the decision of the Committee, a Bengali booklet has been published on the life and work of Acharya Ray. The Committee appealed to the people to form district level committees. Responding
to the call, such committees have been formed in the Howrah, Murshidabad, Purulia, Bankura, East- and West-Midnapur districts. These committees have organized various programmes which are detailed below. The All Bengal Committee also decided to hold
science competitions at the subdivision, district, and state levels. But since the elections have been declared in the state, the competitions have been deferred to be held in the months of June-July.

Kolkata District

26 Jan. to 6 Feb.: The Breakthrough participated in the Kolkata Book Fair. Its stall in the little magazine pavilion attracted a good number of visitors and about Rs. 5000 worth of books and magazines were sold.

12 March: Learning Science Through Experiment at Chetla Kailash Vidyamandir. Conductor: Asta Das Khan, Subhandu Paramanik.

Mukaman Science Club:
10 October: Release of club magazine Muktaman.
5 November: Book stall at Netajinagar.
6 December: Sky watching through Telescope under the supervision of Dr. Tapan Si.
16 February: Science Museum (BITM) Excursion under the guidance of Sarifa Khatun.

Jadavpur University Chapter:
1 October: Discussion on 150th birth anniversary of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray. Speaker: Prof. Samaresh Bhattarchya, Prof. Ashok Mallik, Debasish Roy.
26 February: Science Competition, organizer: Acharya P.C.Roy Committee.

Madam Curie Science Society, Behala
4 September: Prize distribution and discussion on the life of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray. Speaker: Dr. Debabrata Bera
7-8 October: Book stall at Parnasree fair and inauguration of club magazine ``Bilokon''.
10-19 November: Book stall at Behala book fair.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Chapter:
12 March: Programme on Science and Superstition. Conductor: Chanchal Ghosh

South 24 Parganas district:
4 August: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Baruipur. Speaker: Dr. Debabrata Bera
2 November: Anti-superstition exhibition at Narayanitala under the guidance of Dr. Tapan Si and Chanchal Ghosh.
26 November: Anti-superstition show organized by Vidyasagar Smriti Rakshya Committee on the occasion of the birth day of Vidyasagar. Demonstrator: Dr. Tapan Si.
26-18 December: Learning science through experiment and model exhibition at Dakshin Barasat Sibdas Acharya High School organized by Youth Cultural Forum and South 24 Parganas Science and Cultural Forum. Demonstrator: Dr. Tapan Si.
30 December: Documentary film show and discussion on A. P. C. Ray at Dakshin Barasat. Speaker: Dr. Nilesh Maity, Dr. Tapan Si.
12-13 February: Workshop on Snakes. Organizer: Canning Juktibadi Sangstha. Speaker: Chanchal Ghosh.
21 February: Seminar on Man and Universe at Baharu. Speaker: Dr. Tapan Si.
6 March: Discussion on ``Will the world come to the end in 2012?'' at Diamond Harbour. Speaker: Dr. Tapan Si.
7 March: ``Learning science through experiment'' at Baharu. Conductor: Dr. Tapan Si, Rajkumar Mandal.

Howrah district
19 December: Discussion on the life struggle of Acharya P. C. Ray at Uluberia. Speaker: Dinesh Mahanta.
27 February: Book distribution and learning science through experiment at Andul. Organizer: Pragatisil Yuba Samaj. Conductor: Dr. Debabrata Bera. Asta Das Khan.

Malda district
25 December: Sky watching through telescope under the supervision of Dr. Debabrata Bera.

East Midnapur district
13 November: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Rokea Hall, Mecheda. Speaker: Dr. Tapan Si and Dr. Damodar Maity
14-15 January: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray. Speaker: Dr. Makhanlal Nanda Goswami
15 January: Acharya P. C. Ray 150th birth anniversary committee formation. Workshop on learning science through experiment. Speaker: Dr. Tapan Si.
17 January: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Bajkul Science Society.
Speaker: Sanjib Kuila.
22 January: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Kantai Science Center. Speaker: Biswajit Ray
5 February: Discussion on atomic energy at Kalagachhia. Speaker: Dr. Soumitro Banejee.
6 March: Competition and discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Haldia. Speaker: Chanchal Ghosh.
13 March: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Tamluk. Speaker: Dr. Tapan Si

West Midnapur district
20 November: Science quiz competition and discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Kharagpur. Speaker: Dinesh Mahanta
8 January: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray and committee formation at Midnapore town. Speaker: Dr. Nilesh Maity.

Burdwan district
21 November: Documentary film show and discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Burdwan town. Speaker: Chanchal Ghosh.
13 March: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Katwa. Speaker: Dr. Kartik Ghanta
13 March: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Burdwan town. Speaker: Dinesh Mahanta

Coochbehar district
17 December: Discussion on 2nd green revolution organized by Coochbehar Science working group. Speaker: Dr. Mridul Das

Jalpaiguri district
11 December: Science camp at Dhupguri Science Club. Discussion topic ``Will the world really be destroyed in 2012?'' and discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray. Speaker: Dinesh Mahanta
30 January: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray and Rabindra Nath Tagore at Dhupguri.

Mursidabad district
27 November:} Discussion on life struggle and work of Acharya P. C. Ray. Organized by Vigyan Bhabna
5 December: Anti-superstition exhibition and learning science through experiment. Demonstrator: Chanchal Ghosh
13 March: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Mursidabad. Speaker: Dr. Subhasis Maity.

North Dinajpur District
17 January: Discussion on ``Will the world come to the end in 2012'' at Raigunj. Speaker: Dinesh Mahanta.

Bankura district
26 January: Discussion and committee formation on A. P. C. Ray. Speaker: Dinesh Mahanta

North 24 Parganas district
6 February: Learning science through experiment at Basirhat. Conductor: Chanchal Ghosh
11 February: Anti-superstition show at Mayahawri Danra High School on the occasion of golden jubilee year. Conductor: Chanchal Ghosh.
17 February: Slide show on Moon, and Anti-superstition show at Aamdanga High School. Conduction: Chanchal Ghosh.

Purulia district
6 March: Competition and discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Purulia. Speaker: Dinesh Mahanta

Hooghly district
13 March: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Guptipara. Speaker: Pulakesh Aich

May to November 2010

2010-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

* Against the verdict of Bhopal Gas Tragedy, a press meeting was organiged by BSS along with some other organisations on 8th June and a protest demonstration was held at the College Square, Kolkata on 11th June.

* 11 July: Central discussion on ``Seed Bill, GMO and Bt Brinjal'' at Moulana Azad College. Speaker: Dr. Safique Ul Alam.

* 24 July: Seminar on `Bhopal Gas Tragedy: Scientific and Social Aspects' at Jadavpur University Speakers: Prof. Parthasarathi Roy, Dr. Abhi Dutta Majumder and Dr. Soumitra Banerjee

* 2 August: BSS affiliated science clubs all over West Bengal paid homage to the great scientist Acharya P. C. Ray by garlanding his portrait at public places on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary.

* 9 October: State-level seminar on the life and work of Acharya P C Ray. Speakers: Prof. Animesh Chakravorty, Prof. Dhrubojyoti Mukherjee and Ashis Lahiri. An All Bengal Committee was also formed with Prof. Animesh Chakravorty as the President and Prof. Pradip Dutta as the Secretary.

Kolkata district

Bharatiya Bidya Bhaban, Kolkata Chapter:

4 July: DVD show on Nature by Mr. S K Roy. Discussion on the 150th birth anniversary of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy, by Sadik Hassan Siraji.
8 May: Discussion on `Will the world come to an end in 2012?' Speaker: Dr. Radhakanta Konar.

Garia Annwesan Bijan Sanstha

16 May: Discussion on `Atomic Energy: Utility-Danger-Future' Speaker: Chanchal Ghosh. 9-10 October:
Two-day programme on the 150th birth anniversary of
Acharya P C Roy.

Dhakuria Science Club

4 July: Discussion on `Will the world come to an end in 2012?' Speaker: Dinesh Mohanta.
22 August: Discussion on 150th birth anniversary of Acharya
Prafulla Chandra Ray. Speaker: Dr. Soumitro
Banerjee
25 September: Discussion on 150th birth anniversary of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray. Speaker: Dr. Soumitro Banerjee.

Muktaman Science Club

4 July: Quiz Contest on Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray.
1 August: Prize distribution and discussion on Acharaya P. C. Ray, Speaker: Dr. Nilesh Maity.
5 September: Slide Show conducted by Prasanta Maiti.

Galileo Science Society

11 July: Discussion on International Year of Astronomy and Galileo at Nimta. Speaker: Dinesh Mohanta. 25
July: Discussion on `Will the world come to an end
in 2012?' Speaker: Dinesh Mohanta. 29
September: Discussion on Views of Vidyasagar. Speaker:
Chanchal Ghosh.

BSS Jadavpur University Chapter

1 October: Discussion on 150th birth anniversary of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Speakers: Prof. Samaresh Bhattacharjee, Prof. Asoke Mallick and Debasis Roy.

Jadavpur Science Club:

2 October: Discussion on 150th birth anniversary of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray. Speaker: Apurba Senapati.

Young Scientist Forum

17-18 July: Science compitition at Mahabodhi Society Hall.

Baruipur Science Club

8 August: Discussion on 150th birth anniversary of Acharya P. C. Ray. Speaker: Dr. Debabrata Bera.

Madam Curie Science Society

21 August: Quiz Contest on Acharya P. C. Ray Conducted by Arun Rakshit. 4 September: Prize distribution and discussion on 150th birth anniversary of Acharya P. C. Ray. Speaker: Dr. Debabrata Bera.

Howrah district

23 July: Learning science through experiment. Conducted by Dr. Radhakanta Konar, Arnab Purohit and Sandip Nath.
31 July: Discussion on `Will the world come to an end in 2012?' at Andul. Speaker: Dr. Radhakanta Konar.
2 August: Observed 150th birth anniversary of Acharya P. C. Ray.
8 August: Learning science through experiment at Belur.
10 October: District level workshop on learning science through
experiment. Conducted by Dr. Debabrata Bera. Discussion on the
life and work of Acharaya P. C. Ray, by Dr. Soumitro Banerjee.

Hooghly district

Science and Cultural Mission.
1 August: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray Speaker: Indranath Bhattacharjee.
Nature - Science and Cultural Association.
1 August: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray Speakers: Parthasarathi Chaterjee and Dibya Dipankar Roy.

East Midnapore district

Tamluk Science Society

5 June: Discussion on `Crisis of surface water'.
22 May: Science Workshop at Mecheda. Subject: Danger of Atomic Energy and the significance of science movement. Speakers: Debasis Roy and Dr. Makhanlal Nanda Goswami.
3 October: Discussion on 150th birth anniversary of Acharya P.C. Ray
Speaker: Chanchal Ghosh.

Contai Science Centre

1 August: Discussion on 150th birth anniversary of Acharya P C Roy
Speaker: Dr. Debabrata Bera.

West Midnapore district

8 August: District level science workshop at Midnapore town on 150th birth anniversary of Acharya P. C. Ray.
Speaker: Dr. Soumitro Banerjee.

Ghantal Science Club,
22 May: Discussion on `Will the world come to an end in 2012?'
Speaker: Kumaresh Dey.

Becon Science Club,
5 June: Discussion on ‘Danger of Atomic Energy’
Speaker: Dr. Makhanlal Nanda Goswami.

Sabang Science Club,
5 June: Discussion on Global Warming
Speaker: Saranan Panda and Lakshman Bera.

North 24 Parganas district

23 May: Arsenic detection camp at Duttapukur by
a team led by Dr. Debabrata Bera.
10 June: Learning science through experiment at Basirhat, by
a team coordinated by Chanchal Ghosh.
10 July: Arsenic detection camp at Duttapukur, by
A team led by Dr. Tapan Si.

Murshidabad district

Bijan Bhabna,
29 May: Discussion on `Will the world come to an end in 2012?' at Hariharpara;
Speaker: Dinesh Mohanta.
Discussion on the scientific views of Rabindranath Tagore;
Speaker: M A Bazlul Hoque.

South Dinajpur district

Chetana Bijan Sanstha:
A science camp was organized at Balurghat on 21 and 22 May.
21 May: Discussion on `The danger of Atomic Energy'.
Speaker: Dr. Subhasis Maity, Prof. Malay Chakraborty and Dr. Sudipta Tarafder.
22 May: Learning science through experiment and sky watching, by
a team led by Dinesh Mohanta.

Coochbehar district

Science Working Group: 22 September: Learning science
through experiment conducted by a group of members of Science Working
Group at Mathabhanga. Discussion on
Acharya P. C. Ray; Speaker: Dinesh Mohanta.

Birbhum district

Boson Science Centre:
26 September: Discussion on Acharya P. C. Ray at Bolpur;
Speaker: Dinesh Mohanta.

Bankura district
Bankura Science Club:
12 October: Discussion on Acharya P C Roy;
Speaker: Dr. Bebabrata Bera.

Jalpaiguri district

Light of Science:
29 August: Quiz contest amd seminar on ``The Contribution of
Acharya P. C. Ray to our
society.'' The speakers were Mr. Raja Routh, a teacher and science
writer, and Dr. Swapan Das, professor; conducted by
Mr. Santu Mondal, secretary of the club.

2010-05-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

Central programmes

Discussion on Galileo's Life and International Year of Astronomy: Speaker -- Professor Soumitro Banerjee (24th October' 09) and Ashoke Mukherjee (29th November '09)

Discussion on Bt Brijal: Speaker -- Dr. Safique Ul Alam (4th November '09)

Protest rally organized by BSS and others from the College Square to Esplanade and a meeting at Metro Channel against the decision to permit the marketing of Bt Brijal. Speaker – Prof. Soumitro Banerjee, Dr. Safiqul Alam and others (12th December '09)

Discussion on Sugar and Human Immunity: Speaker -- Dr. Surjya Sarathi
Dasgupta (20th December '09)

Book Fair at Presidency College ground, 6-8th January '10, organized by All Bengal Little Magazine Samanyay Mancha. The BSS book stall was center of attraction with the gathering of many science loving people specially professors and students. Prof. Soumitro Banerjee was invited for a lecture on `Darwin and his theory of evolution.'

On behalf of BSS, Dr Mridul Das and Dr Safiqul Alam spoke at the public hearing on Bt Brinjal at the Bose Institute Auditorium in presence of the Union minister Sri Jairam Ramesh on 13th January'10. The BSS activists present in the meeting handed over a protest letter to the minister.

Like every year, this year too the BSS participated at the Kolkata Book Fair from 27th January to 7th February '10 at the Milan Mela ground.

A one-day Science Workshop was organized on 4th April '10 on various aspects of Nuclear Power in view of the proposed nuclear power plant at Haripur. About 55 activists of the BSS and its affiliated science clubs participated in the workshop. Dr. Subhasis Maity, Dr. Makhanlal Nandagoswami, Mr. Chanchal Ghosh, and Dr. Soumitro Banerjee discussed the pertinent issues.

In view of the environmental pollution caused by the Himadri Chemicals Private Ltd. at Hooghly, a team led by Prof. Debabrata Bera visited the area on 2nd November'09 and conducted preliminary investigation and discussion with the local people.

Programmes organized by affiliated science clubs

Madam Curie Science Society, Behala, Kolkata:
The club gave a stall at the Book Fair at Barisha School ground from 11-20 December '09. The club magazine `Bilokan' was unveiled. The club members staged a mime against smoking and a drama on Global Warming.

Discussion on Life of Galileo on 9th February '10. Speaker: Prof. Nilesh Maiti

Discussion on Life of Geordano Bruno on 16th February '10. Speaker: Rajkumar Basak. Sky Watching through telescope was conducted by Dr. Tapan Si.

Young Scientists' Forum of Central Kolkata published a science magazine named `Explore' on 31st January '10.

BSS Chapter of Bharatiya Bidya Bhaban Salt Lake, Kolkata, observed the birthday of Ramanujum on 22 December. A Science
Exhibition was organized on 19th December '09, which also featured drawing competition, essay competition, and a discussion on ``Galileo, telescope, and the revolution in science''.

Contai Science Society of East Midnapore District organized a discussion on the Danger of Nuclear Power Project at Haripur on 5th December '09. Speaker: Prof. Soumitro Banerjee.

Beacon Science Club of Midnapore town organized a discussion on Madam Curie's Life and work on 3rd December '09. Speaker: Prof. Debasish Aich.

Panskura Science Club of East Midnapore District organized a discussion on the Danger of Nuclear Power Project on 19th December '09. Speaker: Radhakanta Konar.

Bajkul Science Society of East Midnapore District organized a discussion on the Energy Crisis and the Nuclear Power Project on 12th February '10. Speaker: Prof. Makhanlal Nandagoswami.

Egra Science Society of East Midnapore organized a discussion on Galileo's Life Struggle on 18th February'10. Speaker: Biswajit Roy.

Niharika Science Club of Kalna, Burdwan district, organized a discussion on 16 February on the life and contributions of Galileo, by Mr. Bhaskar Ghosh.

Science and Cultural Mission of South Barasat, South 24 Paraganas organized a slide show on `The Universe' on 29th December '09. Speaker: Prasanta Maity.

Slide show on `Chandrajan – I' at Raidighi, South 24 Paraganas on 5th December '09: Speaker: Prasanta Maity.

Meghnad Saha Bijyan Sanstha, Dattapukur, North 24 Paraganas, organized a camp on Arsenic detection in drinking water. Conducted by Prof. Debabrata Bera, Arun Rakshit and Soumen Roy.

15th Annual Science Camp on 25-27 December '09. Programmes like slide show on `The Universe', science model exhibition, learning science through experiments, and anti-superstition show attracted a huge gathering.

Science & Cultural Mission, Guptipara, Hooghly, organized a discussion on ``Year 2012''. Speaker: Bhaskar Ghosh.

All Bengal Science Camp

2010-03-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

An All Bengal Science Camp on the International Year of Astronomy was held in the Berhampur town, Murshidabad district, on 20-21 February, 2010. A total of 430 participants from all the districts of West Bengal attended the camp.

The inaugural session, presided by Prof. Anis Ray, started at 4PM. On behalf of the Reception Committee, Dr. Sukumar Mal (Secretary) and Dr. Biswanath Gangopadhyay (Presedent) welcomed the participants. Then Prof. Dhruba Mukhopadhyay and Prof. Soumitro Banerjee discussed the various aspects of the life-struggle and scientific contributions of Galileo Galilei.

After the inaugural session, there was an anti-superstition show, followed by a talk on amateur astronomy by Mr. Biplab De (member of the Skywatcher's Association) and a skywatching session. Parallely, a film show on the life of Galileo was shown.

The second day of the camp started with group discussions, in which the participants were divided into 9 groups for more focused discussions on the life-struggle and scientific contributions of Galileo, and on astronomy. It was followed by a powerpoint presentation on the myth of destruction of the world in the year 2012, by Dr. Soumitro Banerjee. In the concluding session (presided by Dr. Subhasis Maiti) Sri Ashoke Mukherjee and Sri Debashis Ray discussed on the questions that remained unresolved in the group discussions.