(a) the number of Science and Technology Expo conducted by the Government during each of the last three years and the current year;
(b) whether the Government has conducted country''s biggest ever Science and Technology and Industrial Expo in Delhi recently and if so, the details and the objective thereof;
(c) the expenditure involved in conducting the said Expo, and
(d) the organisations that have participated therein
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)
(a) The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
(b) to (d): Yes, Madam. A Mega Science, Technology and Industrial Expo was conducted during the India International Science Festival (IISF) – 2015 held at the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi during December 4-8, 2015. IISF-2015 was a large science outreach event organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences and it consisted of several events conducted by governmental and non-governmental organizations. In particular, the Mega Science, Technology and Industrial Expo was conducted by Vijnana Bharati, which is a non-governmental organization engaged in science and technology outreach activities. The objective of the Expo was to inform the masses about the fruits of Science and Technology, instill scientific temper among the people and showcase Indian contributions in the field of Science and Technology over the years. 209 organizations comprising research institutions, central and state government ministries/departments, public sector undertakings etc. participated in the Expo, for example, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Central Pollution Control Board, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, Indian Council of Medical Research, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, Survey of India, Bharat Dynamics Ltd., Madras Fertilisers, Rajasthan State Council of Science and Technology and so on. The Expo attracted more than 2 lakh visitors. The Government did not incur any expenditure in conducting the Expo. Vijnana Bharati conducted it on self-financing basis.
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