The Science Film Festival of India 2019, also
known as SCI-FFI 2019 commenced with its
fourth edition this year with the blockbuster
film ‘Parmanu’, the inauguration of science
based exhibition and preparation for a
telescope-making workshop.
This festival is organized by the Vidnyan
Parishad, Goa in association with Department
of Science & Technology, Govt. of Goa, Vigyan
Prasar, National Institute of Oceanography,
Entertainment Society of Goa.
The festival began with an opening of
Science Exhibition followed by the main
inaugural ceremony at INOX Screen I. Dr.
Nakul Parashar, Director,Vigyan Prasar,New
Delhi graced the event as the Chief
Guest and said, “The enthusiasm
seen at SCI-FFI is immense and
energizing and we wish to plan an
even bigger and more impactful
film fest for the nation, hosted by
Goa.” He emphasized on the virtue
of experience, gaining feedback and
seeking improvement during the
course of research and innovation.
Other dignitaries like Levinson
Martins, Collector,North Goa and
Director of Science and Technology,
Shekhar Sardessai, CEO, Kineco-
Kaman, Dr. Sunil Kumar Singh,
Director NIO and Chairman, SCI-FFI
Organising Committee, Jayantrao
Sahasrabuddhe, National Organizing
secretary, Vijnana Bharti, Prof. Suhas
Godse, President of Vidnyan Parishad,
Goa and Abhay Bhamaikar, Secretary
of SCI-FFI 2019 were also present.
Levinson Martins recalled the first
edition of the festival from where it
was conceptualized to how it has
matured now in instilling scientific
notions among youth. “The festival
has grown tremendously and will continue to
do in the future”
Emphasizing on the importance of scientific
temperament in the country, Shekhar Sardessai
highlighted the value of science and research.
He went on to say that, festivals like SCI-FFI
trigger our imagination and that science is the
key to organizing and improving life. “Science
has produced guided missiles and misguided
man-kind,” he added.
Speaking about how the festival is a ground
and space for raising awareness and being an
opportunity to learn, Dr Sunil Kumar Singh felt
that even the remote villages of the country
must see the need to understand science and
it’s working for a progressive land.
Jayantrao Sahasrabuddhe acknowledged the
efforts of the organizing committee of SCI-FFI
and praised their role in propagating science
concepts through films and other activities of
the fest.
Abhay Bhamaikar briefed the audience on
the backing concept of the film fest along with
its success in covering 128 institutions; 125 in
Goa and 3 from Maharashtra this year.
Mr. I.K Pai (Vice President Vidnyan Parishad)
proposed the vote of thanks.
This year’s addition to the science festival
is the teacher’s workshop. The organizers
appealed to all educationists to attend the
same, which is being held on January 18. The
workshop aims at turning science educators
into science communicators.
The four day festival also includes three
theme based film tracks; ‘Future of the Oceans’
‘Technology and Innovation’ and Basic Sciences.’
which will be showcased during the festival
dates.
The festival will educate the students with
hands on training, workshops, film screenings
and interactions with eminent personalities and
renowned scientists.
Dr. Shekar Mande (Director Gen. Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research. Govt. of India)
Prof. Sharmistha Banerjee, Dr. Arvind Ranade
(Scientist, Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi) and Dr.
Sumit K Mishra (Senior Scientist, Environmental
Sciences & Biomedical Metrology Division,
National Physical Laboratory will be present
to discuss films while Prof. Banerjee will also
conduct a teacher’s workshop on the January
18 and Dr. Ranade will conduct the Telescope
Workshop on January 18 and 19 where
participants will grind, polish and fabricate their
own devices.
It was announced that Dr. Rajagopala
Chidabaram, Padma Vibushan, will be the Chief
Guest for the Valedictory function on January
19 and will deliver a lecture on ‘India’s Nuclear
Programme- A model for developing world’.
Furthermore, an interesting exhibition has
been put up by reputed Institutions namely,
National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO),
National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
(NCPOR),Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR), Goa State Innovation Council (GIC),
Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition (SAC, ISRO),
Nuclear Power Station, Kaiga and a ‘Indian
Scientists Gallery’.
It features intriguing and captivating exhibits
from Institutes from all over India. It was thrown
open on January 16 and will remain open until
January 19. It has emerges as a big draw among
the student community in particular.
The broad aim of the festival is to
enlighten the students with hands on training,
workshops, film screenings and interactions
with eminent personalities and renowned
scientists.
Apart from film screenings, the main
highlight of this festival will be the film-making
workshop and trainings. This will enhance
the audience to re-energize as they focus on
knowing science as more fun and meaningful
through not just viewing and listening, but also
training in the art of the subject through live
demonstrations and understanding its use in
the film industry. The festival is taking place at
the ESG Complex Panjim.
