‘Mystery moments’ at science congress bare lapses

The 98th Indian Science Congress at SRM University in Kattankulathur (Chennai) like other Indian events also had its own 'mystery moments' that had nothing to do with science or technology.

One of these concerns a release from the Tata Group saying that they were not aware that Ratan Tata had been listed as an award receipient and scheduled to receive it from PM Manmohan Singh. Earlier, according to a release from the  Science Congress Ratan Tata was to be awarded the Nehru Centenary award and his absence was attributed to his busy schedule. 

When contacted, Indian Science Congress (ISC) president K C Pander said Tata indeed was among the awardees and his office had been given an intimation of this. According to ISC executive secretary Amit De, the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award was never given by the prime minister at the Congress. According to an official statement on the matter, a time convenient to the awardee and even the place of his choice and convenience was sought.

The Congress got underway with the Tamil Nadu CM deputing his son, deputy chief minister Stalin in his (CM's) place as he could not preside over the function.

 Though later both TN chief minister Karunadihi and Singh met at the Raj Bhavan and stated that all was well, the vibes between the two leaders told a different story.

The roads leading to the venue had cut outs and banners hailing P Chidambaram as the future Tamil Nadu chief minister while not one banner could be seen welcoming the PM.

The attendees at the 98th congress include five Nobel laureates including Tamil Nadu-born Dr Venkataraman Ramakrishnan.  Ramakrishnan had complained that wherever he went he was mobbed due to which he had to restrict his outings and lectures. Ramarkrishnan said movie stars and cricketers liked being mobbed but not scientists.