Science-20 Summit Kicks Off at Isha Yoga Centre
The much-anticipated Science-20 (S20) summit of the G20 has commenced today at the serene Isha Yoga Centre located at the foothills of Velliangiri near Coimbatore. The two-day summit, which began on Friday, has attracted over 100 participants from G20 member countries including renowned scientists, policymakers, experts, and academicians.
This year’s theme for the summit is Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Development. Leading up to the main event, meetings were held in Agartala, Tripura, Bangaram Island, Lakshadweep, and Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. These meetings focused on topics like clean energy for a greener future, universal holistic health, and connecting science to society and culture.
The Coimbatore leg of the summit serves as the final consolidation of the previous three meetings. Delegates will present their findings and recommendations on these key areas during this important gathering.
G20 officials emphasize the goal of fostering scientific dialogue and collaboration amongst member states to address global challenges such as energy equity, healthcare and wellbeing, and making science an integral part of society. Cross-disciplinary and multilateral scientific collaborations are key in finding constructive solutions for these challenges.
In a speech at the G20 science ministers’ meeting in Mumbai, Union Science and Technology Minister, Jitendra Singh, urged G20 countries to rise above differences and work together for the global well-being in the spirit of unity.
The S20 engagement group, established in 2017, plays a vital role in facilitating official dialogue between the G20 and the scientific community. It supports the G20’s efforts in addressing global issues through scientific collaboration.
During the summit, delegates at the Isha Yoga Centre will have the opportunity to engage in a session on the science of yoga led by Dr. Bala Subramaniam, a professor of anesthesiology at Harvard Medical School and director of Sadhguru Centre for a Conscious Planet in Boston. They will also participate in an interactive session with the esteemed spiritual leader and founder of Isha Foundation, Sadhguru.
In addition to the intellectual discussions, delegates will be treated to captivating demonstrations of India’s rich cultural heritage. Traditional art forms such as kalaripayattu, a martial art native to Kerala, and bharatanatyam, a classical dance form, will be performed by Isha volunteers. Sadhguru expressed his excitement, stating, It is great that G20 meetings are taking place in different locations, including a spiritual center. I think this is the right way to go because people need to experience India.
The Science-20 summit sets the stage for fruitful exchanges and collaborations amongst brilliant minds from across the world. It serves as a platform to forge innovative paths towards sustainable development and offers hope for a better future.
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