World Science Day for Peace & Development
10th November 2021 marks the 20th World Science Day for Peace & Development. Declared officially in the year 2001 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the day had been on a roll since and was first observed in 2002.
What was the idea behind observance of something like this?
Living in a technology-driven world and being a Digital India’N’, we now know the role science plays in our lives. Starting from the moment we wake up and switch off our alarms in the morning to the time we hit the sack post bidding goodbye to our various aids, including laptops, TVs, mobile phones, etc., we don’t even realize the innumerable times our life has become dependent on such tools and technologies.
Understanding the significance of science, contributions of individuals involved in scientific research, and the necessity of linking common people with science, the day focuses on highlighting the same and relevant engagements.
Quoting from un.org, the purpose of the day is to:
↠ Strengthen public awareness on the role of science for peaceful and sustainable societies;
↠ Promote national and international solidarity for shared science between countries;
↠ Renew national and international commitment for the use of science for the benefit of societies;
↠ Draw attention to the challenges faced by science and raising support for the scientific endeavor.”
Past
Multiple projects and programs have been developed under the auspice of this day since its proclamation. One noteworthy aspect in the same is the creation of the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO).
World Science Day 2021
Theme: “Building Climate-Ready Communities”
UNESCO is celebrating this day this year by holding discussions on “global health in a changing environment” and “solutions for building climate-ready communities.” It commemorates the same with a message from Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO, “For climate change is a threat to us all. And when the entire planet is threatened, the entire planet must respond. But global solutions are impossible if half of humanity lacks access to the knowledge it needs. Today, on World Science Day for Peace and Development, let’s harness the potential of open science – not only to limit the impact of climate change, but also to shape a fairer and more peaceful world. Because we succeed or fail together, and we cannot afford to fail.”
India & Science in 2021
Despite several pullbacks, India has managed to push itself in the field of science – hats off to the people working and thinking round the clock to help us achieve a name in this aspect. Sharing few (please note few, not all) such accomplishments.
★ Smart Cities Mission
The aim of establishing the basic elements in at least 100 cities across the country to be implemented by a Special Purpose Vehicle was something visualized by the Government of India in 2015. The core aspects included water supply, health, sanitation, education, transport system, affordable and safe housing, good governance, and digitalization.
★Industry 4.0
National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics Policy, Blockchain Technology, National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing, Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, are some of the Industry 4.0 technologies primarily identified by India to be enhanced as part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
★PARAM
Thanks to the Centre for Development of Advanced Community (C-DAC), India was able to introduce its first indigenous supercomputer PARAM to the world.
★India on Moon
India became the fourth country in the world to enter and hoist its flag on the lunar surface through Chandrayaan-1. Not only this, ISRO has made us achieve some exceptional milestones in the forms of Scramjet Rocket Engine, Mangalyaan-1, Aryabhata, GSLVs, atomic clock, and whatnot!
★Digital India
Digital India is a major breakthrough, basically an umbrella initiative under which India aims to visualize, implement, and mobilize several of its scientific and technological development schemes.
The importance of science in our lives took a new turn and definition during the COVID-19 pandemic. This gave way for surfacing of information and awareness around already-existing, naturally-found, and available with exceptional applicabilities substances like HOCl.
Scientific Breakup of HOCl
HOCl or HClO is hypochlorous acid naturally found in mammals that provides an internal defence mechanism. It has come out as a product that is non-toxic having extraordinary disinfection, skin care, and wound healing properties. Many regions have widely adopted the product since last year for sanitizing and disinfecting for its proven effectiveness against deadly pathogens.
It is a weak acid formed from a simple combination of chlorine and water. Once the chlorine dissolves in water, it partially dissociates forming hypochlorites, oxidisers, and disinfection agents. Hence HOCl water has powerful disinfection characteristics.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) marked it as an effective disinfectant against COVID-19, given its non-toxicity, cleaning and sanitizing properties.
Being a foundation for knowledge, information, and awareness, science keeps us alive and connected!
Join the trend #ScienceDay!
Avani Raj Arora