The department of zoology along with Stella Maris College, Chennai and Department of RDAP, NEHU, Tura Campus recently conducted a one day DBT SPONSORED WORKSHOP on “MAXIMAL USAGE OF FOLDSCOPE TO EXPLORE MINIATURES IN THE WORLD” on 10th September, 2018 at Don Bosco College, Tura, Meghalaya. The target group was the teachers and students of both higher secondary and under graduate studies of Don Bosco College.
The day long workshop catered to the development of technological skill to use the Foldscope – Paper Microscope and the popularization of the same. The program was initiated by lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries and a beautiful welcome song presented by the students of 5th Semester. This was followed by a welcome speech from Fr Albert D. Sangma, Vice Principal of Don Bosco College. The key note address was delivered by Dr Biswajit Paul, HOD, Dept of Zoology, Don Bosco College, Tura. He emphasized the impact of Science and Technology today on the social fabric of humanity and how ‘doorstep technology’ can bring about a quantum change in the understanding of science by the masses. That technology should reach the common man and be able to access it to enrich knowledge. The Foldscope –the topic of workshop is one of this type of tool or technology which would allow the common man to explore the miniatures of the world.
Dr B. K. Mishra, Dept of RDAP, NEHU Tura Campus, Tura who is one of the Principal Coordinators of the project have thanked the management of the College to allow the infrastructure to conduct the workshop. He narrated that the project was funded by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India. The project proposes to make awareness of the tool (the foldscope) so that it can be used by the students, research scholars and teachers in their study. He also commented that the tool is very cheap and can be afforded by every household for their scientific query on the microbes and the like.
Dr K. Veena Gayathri, Dept of Biotechnology, Stella Maris College, the other Principal Investigator of the project stated the usage of the foldscope. That it has been popularized by the Government of India for the maximum benefit of the masses. She praised the innovative thought of Dr Manu Prakash, the primary person behind the development of the tool. The inaugural function concluded with the National Anthem followed by light refreshment.
In the first technical session, a power point presentation was given by Smt Rani Aruldas of Zoology department who introduced the concept and types of microscope that are in use today. Her presentation was followed by the presentation of Shri Sujit Das (Project Assistant) and Smt Rajalakshmi S. (Project Assistant) who emphasized on the details of the Foldscope by a power point presentation.
The second technical session was on the demonstration of the working of the foldscope where, Shri Sujit Das and Smt Rajalakshmi S. gave a detailed how to assemble and use the foldscope to the teachers and students present in the workshop.
The workshop concluded by the distribution of certificates to the participants.
