National Science Day-2023 was celebrated at ICAR-CPCRI, Regional Station, Kayamkulam byorganizing National Workshop on ‘Science History of India’on 28.2.2023 with the financial support from Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment.

In his presidential address, Dr. K.B. Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod highlighted on how history leads deeper insights in to science by citing the professional contribution of Prof. J. C. Bose retrieved from history. Prof. RajanGurukkal, Former Vice Chancellor, M.G. University & Vice-Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council inaugurated the workshop online and shared his vast experience linking alchemy evolving to periodic table, ayurveda to allopathy, the aseptic environment created by diverse flora to perform surgery on farm as well as to upkeep the soil health through conservation of microbiome.

Key note address on ‘History of Plantation Crops in India’was delivered by Prof. P.K. Michael Tharakan, Former Vice Chancellor, Kannur University & Chairperson, Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) emphasizing the societal improvement of Kerala through cultivation of plantation crops, which led to a very learned society with higher standards of living.

Special lectures on ‘Science History of India’ were given by : Dr. C. George Thomas, Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board on ‘History of Agricultural Research in India’, Prof. Sunil Mani, Director, Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram onHistory of Science & Technology in India, Dr. M.G. Sasibhooshan, Former Director, Literacy Mission, Govt. of Keralaon ‘History of Scientific Institutions in Kerala’and Dr. P. Anithakumari, Acting Head, ICAR-CPCRI RS, Kayamkulam on ‘Science History with Specific Reference to Coconut’with emphasis on history and accomplishments of this Regional Station.

Publications from this Institute on ‘Proceedings of Mentoring Workshop for Strengthening FPOs’and ‘Compilation on Soil Health Management ForSustained Productivity’ were released on this occasion.A Science Day Exhibitionwas arranged as part of the workshop.

Panel discussion on ‘Science History of India’ was chaired by Dr. M.G. Sasibhooshan, Former Director, Literacy Mission. Mr. K.M. Vishnu Namboothiri, Asst. Professor, Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla, Mrs. Nirmala James (Author of Biography about Dr. E.K. Janaki Ammal), Dr. C. Thamban, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasargodand Mr. K. Harikumar, Rtd. Museum-in-Charge, Krishnapuram Palace were the panel experts.In the valedictory session, Dr. K.B. Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod presented awards and certificates to the prize winners.

More than 120 registered faculties, research scholars and students from South India participated and made the workshop a memorable event of understanding science laced with history.