Grand Inauguration of Rajasthan Science Festival 2026

— Knowledge, Innovation and Values Are the Path to a Developed India@2047: Assembly Speaker

Jaipur, February 2026:On the occasion of National Science Day, the three-day Rajasthan Science Festival 2026 was ceremoniously inaugurated at Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur. This year’s theme is “Women in Science – Catalysts for a Developed India.” The festival is being jointly organized by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Rajasthan, Vijnana Bharati Rajasthan, and MNIT.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani as the chief guest. In his address, he said that women have always been a driving force of creativity, knowledge, and innovation in India’s scientific tradition, and their role will be decisive in building Developed India@2047. He emphasized that science is not confined to laboratories alone but is a way of life connected to holistic societal development and human values. Citing scholars such as Gargi, Maitreyi, and Lopamudra from ancient India, he highlighted women’s contributions to Vedic studies, philosophy, and natural sciences, and also referred to modern icons like Kalpana Chawla, Tessy Thomas, and Ritu Karidhal as symbols of India’s scientific strength and self-reliance.

Chief Secretary V. Srinivas spoke on the role of technology in good governance, stating that the goal of “Maximum Governance, Minimum Government” is achievable through technology. He highlighted initiatives such as the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile), AI-enabled digital life certificates for pensioners, AI-based grievance redressal through CPGRAMS, and multilingual platforms like Sarvam AI. He also called for establishing science clubs in all schools and promoting science exhibitions across the state.

On the first day, a meeting on the Rajasthan Science and Technology Policy was held, where experts including Padma Shri Ashutosh Sharma, senior officials, and industry representatives shared inputs on policy formulation. The day also featured DNA extraction and hands-on activities, keynote lectures on traditional and alternative medicine, quizzes, expert talks on air quality with live demonstrations, and an evening telescope show for space observation.

The event witnessed the presence of senior officials, scientists, students, teachers, and citizens, marking a vibrant start to a festival dedicated to science, innovation, and inclusive growth.