Talk (4 Jan 2016) WHAT ARE THE BIG THEMES OF THE HISTORY OF TWENTIETH-CENTURY SCIENCE?

WHAT ARE THE BIG THEMES OF THE HISTORY OF TWENTIETH-CENTURY SCIENCE?

by JON AGAR

About the Speaker

Jon Agar is Professor of Science and Technology Studies at University College London, where he is also Deputy Head of Department and where he teaches a wide range of courses, including, among others, the History of Modern Science; Science, Warfare and Peace, and Governance and the Public. He is, additionally, the Editor of the British Journal for the History of Science (BJAS) and its new companion and open access publication, BJAS Themes. After completing his Bachelors in Mathematics at the University of Cambridge he read for his PhD in the History of Science at the University of Kent. Apart from several papers, he has authored several books; most recently Science in the Twentieth Century and Beyond (2012), where he introduced the provocative notion of ‘the working world’, which will feature prominently in his talk. His research has focused on contemporary technology (for instance, mobile phones and ID cards) and the history of modern science and technology. He has been frequently featured both on the radio and on television discussing the history of science and technology.

Abstract of the Lecture
History of modern science is a burgeoning and exciting field of academic study. There are now many case studies of different branches of science in different places and settings. In this talk, Jon Agar asks what are the big themes that emerge when the field of history of twentieth century science is surveyed? He will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of focussing on histories of particular disciplines or in purely national settings. Drawing on examples from his book, Science in the Twentieth Century and Beyond (2012), Jon Agar will share his main conclusions of this synthetic, historical approach. In particular, he will argue that ‘working worlds’, contexts within which problems are posed and solved, provide a means of understanding the roles played by much science as it developed over the past century, as well as a model that offers insights to the organisation of, and policies for, science today.

As part of India-U.K. collaboration, and in celebration of IISER Pune’s tenth year, the British Council and IISER Pune are organizing lecture tours of eminent scholars who would speak on topics at the interfaces of science with the humanities, arts, and technology.

These lectures, open and free to the public, aim to bring science and related areas closer to the society. The lecture tours of each speaker will take place across six cities in India between October 2015 and March 2016 in this series named Science and Beyond.

 
Date and Time
January 4, 2016; 5:30 PM
Venue
C.V. Raman Auditorium, IISER Pune
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune
Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune-411008, India; Tel: +91 20 25908001
Website: www.iiserpune.ac.in

ABS Pune chapter announces its Facebook wall

Here is the ABS Pune Facebook wall: https://www.facebook.com/Association-of-British-Scholars-Pune-Chapter-1378725072428992/notifications/

(20 June 2015) New Exec Committee takes over

Following the AGM on 20 June 2015, a new Executive Committee has taken over:

	Position	Name
1	President	Prof R P Singh
2	Vice President	Mr Srinivas Chillara
3	Secretary	Dr Pratap Rawal
4	Jt. Secretary	Adv Tejas Kapre
5	Treasurer	Mr Anant Govande
6	Committee member	Mr J G Bapat
7	Committee member	Dr PracheeSathe
8	Committee member	Dr Nandini Devi
9	Committee member	Mr G J Kantharia
10	Committee member	Mr Prakash Sardesai
11	Committee member	Ms Vaishali Bhagwat
12	Committee member	Mr Mugunthan Sadagoban
13	Committee member	Dr A N Navare
14	Committee member	Dr Eksambekar

Thanks to the previous Executive Committee for their efforts.

AGM on Sat, 20 June 2015

Please mark your calendars:

Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ABS Pune

Date: Saturday, 20 June 2015

Time: 7 pm – 9 pm

Venue: The Regal Room, The Pride Hotel, 5 University Road, Shivaji Nagar, Pune 411005

Agenda:

• Present report for the year ending 31 March 2015
• Approve accounts for the year ending 31 March 2015, and prior years
• Elect new office bearers
  • President
  • Vice President
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • 5 other members
• Any other business
• SHOWCASE:  Emerging leaders and talent — A showcase of younger British Scholars in Pune

Members and their spouses are welcome.

The Committee is collecting “Know your fellow members”  forms from members. Do send the form or a brief write up about you to kajari.mitra@in.britishcouncil.org

(28 April 2015) ABS Pune Membership Drive 2015 mailer

ABS Pune Membership Drive 2015 mailer:

“Here is an excellent opportunity for networking and leveraging business contacts”

 

We are delighted to inform you that Association of British Scholars (ABS) is a national forum to facilitate the networking of Indians who have studied or trained in the UK.

 

ABS India aims to strengthen the Indo-UK relationship by harnessing the resources, expertise and potential of every ABS chapter through networking, sharing information and hosting social, cultural and intellectual activities.

Those who have completed an educational course or a training in the UK and are staying in and around Pune are the most eligible for the membership of the Pune Chapter.

We invite you to join the Pune Chapter of the Association of British Scholars and enjoy the following privilege :

• Opportunity to meet and network with other members who have studied in the UK (under a scholarship, such as the Chevening or Commonwealth)

• Opportunity of meeting like-minded members

• Active participation and cooperation for organising programmes for the ABS, enabling a platform to reach out to a wider audience, and get known in relevant circles

• One year free membership of British Library at Pune

• Mentoring by meeting and guiding candidates interested in pursuingeducation in UK

Come check them out…

You are just a call away from availing the benefits. For more information, please visit our website at www.abspune.org.

(13 Feb 2015) UK-India Joint Workshop on “Affordable medical diagnostics and devices: From ideation to commercialization”

UK-India Joint Workshop on  Affordable medical diagnostics and devices: From ideation to commercialization

Venue: Venture Center, NCL Innovation Park, Pune, India Date: Friday, 13 Feb 2015

Click to access Biomed-tech-workshop.pdf

Organized by: UK Science and Innovation Network; Bioincubator at Venture Center (Bioincubator at Venture Center is supported by BIRAC, Government of India); Association of British Scholars, Pune

Supported by:  British High Commission; Social Innovation Immersion Program @ Venture Center, Biotechnology Industry Research and Assistance Council (BIRAC) under SPARSH Scheme; Mentoring Program of Biotech Ignition Grant partner (Venture Center)

(2 Jan 2015) Vasant Gowarikar passes away

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-isro-chief-vasant-gowarikar-passes-away/article6749083.ece

Scientist Vasant Gowarikar passes away

A protégé of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, he was part of the illustrious band of scientists who initiated India’s satellite research programme.

Space veteran and eminent scientist Vasant Gowarikar passed away after a brief illness at the city’s Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, aged 81.

Mr. Gowarikar, a protégé of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, was part of the illustrious band of scientists who initiated India’s satellite research programme and included luminaries such as A. P. J. Kalam, E. V. Chitnis, Pramod Kale and U. R. Rao among others.He pioneered solid propelant development and later served as Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) between 1979 and 1985.

Intimately associated with and former chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation since its humble birth, Dr. Gowarikar once reminisced on the exciting early days of space research under Dr. Sarabhai when his office was in the building of the local St Mary Magdalene Church in Thumba in Kerala.

“I was given a cow shed for my lab,” he recounted on the occasion of ISRO’s 100th space mission in 2012.

Dr. Gowarikar also served as scientific advisor to late Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao between 1991 and 1993, was appointed as Vice-Chancellor, Pune University and was chairman of the Marathi Vidnyan Parishad between 1994 and 2000.

After his schooling and graduation from Kolhapur district in Western Maharashtra, the young Dr. Gowarikar embarked on his scientific odyssey to England in the early 1950s. He obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in chemical engineering, supervised by Dr. F.H. Garner. His fruitful collaboration resulted in the Garner-Gowarikar theory, which was a novel analysis of heat and mass transfer between solids and fluid.

Dr. Gowarikar, along with his associates, also compiled the massive The Fertilizer Encyclopedia(2008) that featured 4,500 entries detailing the chemical composition of fertilizers, and containing information on everything from their manufacturing and application to their economic and environmental considerations.

Preeminent American biologist and Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug called it “an invaluable resource” for students, academics and industry people the world over.

Dr. Gowarikar, who was earlier honoured with the Padma Shri, was later awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2008.

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5366549087570713123&SectionId=4924098573178130559&SectionName=Top%20Stories&NewsTitle=Pune%20mourns%20passing%20of%20Dr%20Vasant%20Gowariker

Pune mourns passing of Dr Vasant Gowariker

Pune: Vasant Gowariker, renowned scientist and educationist, passed away in the city on Friday afternoon following a brief illness.

Gowariker was the former Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister of India, member of Consultative Group of Eminent Senior Scientists, Government of India, and former director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananathapuram. He was also the
Vice-Chancellor of the then University of Pune (now Savitribai Phule Pune University) between 1995-98.

Gowariker had a long and eventful career, with achievements ranging from a key role in launching India’s first successful satellite launch vehicle into space, creating India’s own monsoon forecasting model, to editing the world’s first fertiliser encyclopedia. He had also been a scientific adviser to three of India’s prime ministers. According to his family, the day before he was admitted to the hospital, he had written to the Prime Minister about his vision and plan for an India with drought-free agriculture.

The city’s scientific community mourned the demise of Gowariker and stated that his demise is a great loss to the country.
Remembering Gowariker, former chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC) and former Vice-Chancellor of University of Pune, Arun Nigavekar said, “I knew Gowariker for three-and-a-half decades. He started thinking about innovation when he was just 11-years-old. His demise is surely a big loss.”

Sourav Pal, Director, National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), remembered Gowariker as a multi-talented scientist and said that Pune always took pride in having Gowariker as amongst its citizens. “People like Gowariker are very rare. His contribution to space sciences has been great. He took keen interest in mechanics and fluid mechanics and was the one who made the launch of SLV-1 possible,” Pal said.

Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the demise of Gowariker.
“Scientist Vasant Gowariker contributed immensely in the field of space sciences, weather among others. But he was also a scientist who had a great understanding about the problems faced by our nation,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a release.

Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao in a release said, “Gowariker was instrumental in exploring space sciences and getting satellite technology to India.”
Gowariker who lived in Pune since 1993 is survived by his wife Sudha and three daughters, Ashwini, Kalyani and Irawati.

(3 Nov 2012) Play: The 14th Tale by Inua Ellams

3 November 2012 7:00 pm.

Venue : St. Mira’s College ,

Koregaon Park Road, Near Hotel Taj Blue Diamond, Pune 1

British Council in collaboration with Expressions Unlimited, St Mira’s College and support from IISER and Association of British Scholars invites you to a performance

Inua Ellams’ The 14^th Tale

The play has been written and performed by Inua Ellams and directed by Thierry Lawson. The 14th Tale tells the hilarious exploits of a natural born mischief growing from the clay streets of Nigeria to the roof tops in Dublin, and finally to London. Against the background of a hospital waiting room, Inua tells stories of his upbringing, of his schools, friends and family and of his experiences of moving to the UK. He vividly recreates the characters that punctuate the narrative, in deft and beautiful prose and poetry, while challenging the audience’s expectations of what it is to be a young, black male in London today.

BIOGRAPHY

Renowned performance poet and artist, Inua Ellams was born in Nigeria in 1984, and moved to the UK as a teenager. He is currently writer in residence at Tate Modern and also works as a graphic designer/visual artist.

Talks (29 March 2012) Union Budget 2012 and Economic Survey – Highlights & Implications

Association of British Scholars- Pune, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India – Pune Chapter and Venture Center Library present

 

Title: Union Budget 2012 and Economic Survey – Highlights & Implications

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Speakers:

•             Vineet Deo, Chartered Accountant

•             Vishwajit Honap, Chartered Accountant

 

Venue : Training room, NCL Innovation Park, Pashan Road, Pune

Date: Thursday, 29 March 2012

 

Time plan:

•             4.45 pm – Tea and snacks

•             5.00 pm – 5.30 pm:  Economic Survey- Indian Economy- Status and Road Ahead.

•             5.30 pm – 6.00 pm:  Budget- Impact on personal and business taxation

•             6.00 pm – 6.30 pm:  Q&A

 

Open to all.  Free registration.

Request registration to allow better planning at venue and for snacks.

Register over phone at 020-6401-1023 or email:  library@venturecenter.co.in

 

 

About the speakers:

•             VINEET DEO, CA: Vineet Deo is currently Consulting Editor-Finance, Sakal Media Group. He is a Chartered Accountant with considerable professional experience in  corporate strategy/finance, management reporting/analytical/media roles and private practice. Mr Deo has served as Vice Chairman at the Pune Branch of ICAI. His interests include SME and angel investment activism.

 

•             VISHWAJIT B. HONAP, CA: Mr. Vishwajit Honap is an accomplished Chartered Accountant from Pune with extensive professional and academic experience. He is a Fellow Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India  , Licentiate Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and  Graduate Member of Institute of Cost & Works Accountants of India. Mr Honap’s academic qualifications include an MMS and MCom. Mr Honap is also trained in Japanese and Spanish. Besides being a practicing Chartered Accountant, he also teaches at cademic institutions such as Pune Chapter of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, MMCC, MBA program at  Bharati Vidyapeeth, IMERT &  MITSOM, Symbiosis Institute of International Business, Sinhagad Institute of Management amongst others.

 

 

About the organizers:

•             Association of British Scholars, Pune (www.abspune.org)

•             Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Pune Chapter of WIRC (www.puneicai.org )

•             Venture Center Library (www.vcenterlibrary.org)

(17 December 2011) Talk by Deepak Dalal; Wild India

Event announcement ======================

Talk organized by Association of British Scholars, Pune and Venture Center Library

Talk & slide show: Wild India

Speaker: Deepak Dalal

Venue: Training Room, NCL Innovation Park, NCL Campus, Pashan Road, Pune

Date: Saturday 17 December 2011

Time: 6 to 7 pm Tea & biscuits: 5:45 pm

Target audience: All ages. Also suitable for children.

Admission Free and Open to Public. Kindly email library@venturecenter.co.in if you plan to attend so that the library can have a count for tea and snacks.

 

About the speaker: ————————– Deepak Dalal is a well-known Pune-based author. Deepak Dalal chucked up a career as a chemical engineer to write stories for children. He lives currently in Pune with his wife, two daughters and several dogs and cats. He enjoys wildlife, nature and the outdoors. The Sahyadri Hills of Pune are a short journey from his home. When not at his desk writing, he is either trekking their slopes or cycling their valleys. Deepak Dalal writes adventure stories for children, especially set in the Himalayas, the Sahyadris, Lakshadweep, Andamans etc. He is passionate about the biodiversity and ecology of these places and through his stories tries to create awareness amongst peoples, especially children, to the dangers of environmental degradation. Extracts from his books are included in the syllabus for CBSE Schools. Selected books of Deepak Dalal are available at Venture Center Library.

 

Deepak Dala’s website: http://www.deepakdalal.com/ About the talk: —————— Deepak Dalal’s talk shall feature photographs and stories from his exciting journeys in India. Titled “Wild India” his talk shall aim to inspire kids from 8-80 to explore the outdoors and the natural wonders of India.

About the organizers: ————————- Association of British Scholars, Pune (http://www.abspune.org/) Venture Center Library (http://www.vcenterlibrary.org/)