National Science Day is celebrated in India every year on 28th February to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian physicist Sir C.V. Raman. National Science Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC) and CSIR Madras Complex (CMC) on 6 March 2025.
Dr. N. Anandavalli, Director, CSIR-SERC and Coordinating Director, CMC, presided over the National Science Day function. Prof. Dr. Stephan Grill, Director, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology & Genetics, Germany was the chief guest of the function. In her welcome address, Dr. Anandavalli mentioned that science touches our everyday lives, deeply interlinked, and are also fundamental to the growth of the country and humanity.
Dr. Ing. Saptarshi Sasmal, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC, introduced the chief guest to the audience. The chief guest Prof. Grill, delivered the National Science Day lecture on Physics of Life, in which he spoke on the physics of living systems (how do organisms form, how do cells and tissues form, molecular motors, etc.). Prof. Grill also spoke in brief on Max Planck Institute and its research focus. Prof. Grill also answered questions from the curious audience.
As a part of the National Science Day celebrations, the second edition of Dr. N. Lakshmanan Memorial Science Quiz Competition was organized at the CSIR Campus on 28 February 2025, exclusively for the Greater Chennai Corporation School students. The main aim of the quiz was to inculcate the aptitude for scientific research in young minds. The quiz was organized by Shri. A.K. Farvaze Ahmed, Principal Scientist, CSIR-SERC, and his team. Ninety-three students from thirty-one schools from all across Chennai actively participated in the screening test. From the screening test, top six teams (3 members per team) were selected for the finals. The finals were organized on the same day and consisted of several rounds of science questions, including audio-visuals. The first prize was won by CHSS, Virugambakkam. CHS, Korattur, won the second prize, and CHS, Padikuppam, won the third prize. The consolation prizes went to CHS, Rangarajapuram, CHS, MGR Nagar, and CHSS, Nammalwarpet. The prize-winning schools were awarded trophies, and the prize-winning teams were given shields and prize money by Dr. Anandavalli, on 28 February 2025.
A brief report on the organization of Dr.N. Lakshmanan Memorial Science Quiz Competition was given by Dr. M.B. Anoop, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC. Dr. P. Harikrishna, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC, proposed a vote of thanks.