New Delhi; March 13, 2011: “There is a dire need to draw common minimum ethical standards for perusal of science and technology, in a globalized society” – this was the message conveyed on the second day of 6th All India Students’ Conference on Science & Spiritual Quest (AISSQ) – 2011, being organized by Delhi Technological University (DTU) and Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata from March 12-14, 2011. The theme of this year’s conference is “integrating capabilities with values” and it calls for instilling right values like honesty, morality, ethics and compassion for others in today’s youth along with professional capabilities, for ensuring sustainable development and overall betterment of society.

The second day of the conference witnessed a session on ‘Science, Ethics and Spirituality’, where eminent persons like Mr. Vineet Joshi, Chairman, CBSE, Dr. R.K. Kotnala, Scientist, National Physical Laboratory, Dr. P.N. Tiwari, Former Director, ICAR, Dr N. Raghuram, Associate Professor of Biotechnology, GGSIP University and Dr. Indramani Mishra from Indian Agricultural Research Institute deliberated on basic and general principles of ethics in science and on the importance of ethics in scientific pursuits. “Ethics is a higher philosophical pursuit above morality and legality. What is illegal is often immoral and unethical but not vice-versa. Ethics and standards and codes evolve over a period of time and can be at level of individual, institutional, professional and communities,” said Dr. Raghuram. He further added, “At development level, we are overstating the benefits and underplaying the risks of science and technology in society.” 
 
Speaking on Misconduct in Scientific Research and Publications, Dr. Mishra said, “If you have achieved anything due to unethical ways such as plagiarism, falsification and fabrication of data or any other unfair means, one day it will be exposed and you will lose your achievement.” He also informed about the code of conduct for the scientists. “When I conduct examination, either for theory or practical, I shall be completely fair and impartial and refuse to be swayed by any pressure – this should be the motto of a scientist,” he said.

The day also saw presentations on ‘Energy Medicine – Medicine of the Future’ by Padma Bhushan Dr. B.M. Hedge, former Vice Chancellor, Manipal University, a presentation on ‘A Proper Understanding of Science and Spirituality – A True Healing Herb’ by Prof. Subhash C. Mishra, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Guwahati and on ‘Energy and Spirituality’ by Mr. G.S.K. Naidu, Chairman, Institute of Energy Management and Research, Gurgaon, among others. The day came to a conclusion with an interactive session on Integrating Capabilities with Values – Role of Spirituality which participated by Padma Shri Prof. K.L. Chopra, Former Director, IIT Kharagpur, Prof. P.B. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, DTU, and Mr. Vineet Joshi, Chairman, CBSE, among others.  
 
AISSQ-2011 was inaugurated yesterday by H.E. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India, in the presence of Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi, Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Member Planning Commission, GOI, Nobel Laureate Dr. Werner Arber, HH. Gopal Krishna Swamiji from ISCKON, Prof. Sharma and Prof. Mishra. In her address the Hon’ble President called upon for equipping students with right value base along with capabilities created by science and technology to ensure that they serve society with devotion and commitment and create prosperity and happiness.

The last day of the conference will have a session on ‘Scientific Temper and Spiritual Wisdom for Holistic Development of the Self and the Society,’ and workshops on Ayurveda and its relevance in Present Times,  Re-Building, Modern Education – Integrating Traditional Technology with Contemporary Education and on Spirituality and Personality Development - Management of Time, Stress and Anger, to mention prominent ones.