DIPR hosts 2nd Edition of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture Series

• Eminent Scientists deliver lectures on science, technology and leadership

JAMMU: Department of Information & Public Relations, Jammu & Kashmir organized the second edition of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture Series today here at the Convention Center. The event brought together eminent scientists who delivered insightful lectures on various topics, paying tribute to the visionary legacy of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India and a pioneer in space and missile technology. The theme of the Lecture Series  for the second edition was,  ‘The Power of Dreams: How big ideas can transform the world.’

The lecture series featured two distinguished speakers who shared their expertise and inspired the audience with their thought-provoking presentations.  Dr. Vellanki Seshagiri Rao, a former Distinguished Scientist, Associate Director at ISRO, and former Satish Dhawan Professor at ISRO, delivered a lecture on the theme: “From Classroom to Cosmos – The Inspirational Journey of Science and Technology in Space Exploration.”

Dr. Rao’s lecture highlighted Dr. Kalam’s belief that knowledge and innovation, when nurtured in classrooms, can propel humanity to unimaginable heights, even to the cosmos. He emphasized the importance of fostering scientific curiosity and innovation among students to drive India’s future advancements in space exploration. 

Dr. Manoj Kumar Patairiya, Adjunct Professor at NIAS, IISc, and former Director of CSIR and Adviser, DST, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, spoke on the theme: “Visionary Leadership – Transforming Dreams into Reality.” Dr. Patairiya’s lecture focused on the role of visionary leadership in turning ambitious dreams into tangible achievements, drawing inspiration from Dr. Kalam’s life and work. He underscored the importance of perseverance, innovation, and leadership in achieving breakthroughs in science and technology. 

In his welcome address, Director Information, Jatin Kishore, spoke about Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s monumental contributions to missile technology and space organizations. He highlighted Dr. Kalam’s role as a mentor and inspiration to countless scientists and students, emphasizing how his legacy continues to guide India’s scientific and technological progress. 

The event was attended Joint Director Information (Hqrs), Vivek Puri, Joint Director Information Jammu, Atul Gupta, Deputy Director Information (PR&AV), Deepak Dubey, Deputy Director Information (Central), Sunil Kumar, Deputy Director (PR) Jammu, Deputy Director (Hqrs) Jammu, Information Officers, Accounts Officers and other staff members. 

Students from various institutions, including IIM Jammu and IIMC Jammu, actively participated in the lecture series, showcasing their enthusiasm for science and technology. 

The lectures were followed by an engaging question-and-answer session, where students posed thoughtful questions to the guest speakers. The speakers responded with patience and clarity, providing insightful answers that further enriched the learning experience for all attendees.