“RESEARCH is a continuous process. It never ends even after its inference. Scientists or anyone who is involved in any kind of research should not stop doing it,” stated Nobel Laureate Prof Ada Yonath during the concluding ceremony of Indian Science Congress hosted by Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), on Saturday. Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari, was the chief guest. Vice-Chancellor of RTMNU Dr Subhash Chaudhari, Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) General President. Dr Vijaylaxmi Saxena, President-Elect Dr Arvind Saxena, Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Sanjay Dudhe, outgoing ISCA General Secretary Dr S Ramakrishna, General Secretary (Scientific Activities) Dr Anoop Kumar Jain, Registrar Dr Raju Hiwase, 108th ISC Local Secretaries Dr Rajesh Singh, Dr Govardhan Khadekar, Nobel Laureate’s daughter Dr Hagith Yonath, Managing Director of MMActive Ravi Boratkar also shared the dais. Prof Yonath expressed her respect for Indian scientists. She named Tanaya Bose, Dr Ramchandra, Dr Venkatraman Ramkrishnan and said they helped her a lot and through them, she could know the glorious tradition of Indian scientists. Dr Yonath presented some salient features of her research. “There were some important firsts in this ISC. The Tribal Meet was held for the first time, and Science and Society event was held after 10 years’ gap, Farmers’ Congress was conducted for the first time. ISC has given a boost to scientific temperament, which is a real takeaway message,” stated Vijayalakshmi Bidari while addressing the gathering. Dr Subhash Chaudhari, Dr Vijaylaxmi Saxena also spoke on the occasion. In the same programme the new General President of ISCA Prof Arvind Kumar Saxena took charge from outgoing President Dr Vijaylaxmi Saxena. Local Secretary Dr Govardhan Khadekar read out the conference report. Dr Rita Wadetwar conducted proceedings and Local Secretary Dr Rajesh Singh proposed a vote of thanks. The 108th ISC awards were also presented by the guests at the valedictory ceremony. They included nine gold medals, one gold-plated brass plaque, five silver-plated brass plaques for schoolchildren and two certificates. Ten Young Scientists awards and 10 Best Poster Awards were also given away. Besides, some awards were also given away on behalf of MMActive in 14 categories to Pride of India exhibitors.

Ashutosh Mukhrjee Memorial Award -- Prof Ajay Kumar Sood 
Dr C V Raman Birth Centenary Award -- Prof S R Niranjana 
S N Bose Birth Centenary Award -- Prof Subhash Chandra Parija 
S K Mitra Birth Centenary Award -- Dr Ranjan Kumar Nandy 
H J Bhabha Memorial Award -- Dr Kaushala Prasad Mishra 
Prof R C Mehrotra Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award -- Dr U C Banerjee, Amity University, Mohali 
D S Kothari Memorial Award -- Dr Syamal Roy, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata 
Gold Plated Brass Plaque
G K Manna Memorial Award -- Dr Basant Kumar Das, ICAR, Kolkata 
Prof S S Katiyar Endowment Lecture Award -- Dr Kesturu S Girish, Tumkur University, Karnataka 
Prof Archana Sharma Memorial Award in Plant Science --Dr Rajiv Pratap Singh, BHU, Varanasi 
Most Interactive Awards -- National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), and Geological Survey of India (GSI) 
MMActiv Pride of India Award Winners
Most Innovative Awards -- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) 
Most Informative Awards: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) 
Best Design Awards -- Department of Science & Technology (DST), and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) 
Best State -- Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) 
Best Startup Award -- MAHA 60 
Special Recognition Awards -- Primus SAM Pvt 
Ltd, Zoological Survey of India, and National Fisheries Development Board 
Best Exhibitor of the Year Award -- Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) 
(NFDB)