The Vigyan Jyot arrives at AN College in Patna. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Vigyan Jyot, a vision of former President APJ Abdul Kalam for popularising science among youths, reached the state capital on the Vigyan Jyot Rath on Wednesday.

The flame (jyot), inspired by the Olympic Torch, was received at AN College in the morning. Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) volunteers Nilesh Jadhav and Himesh Soni carried the torch on the rath that reached Patna from New Delhi.

The rath will leave for Gaya on Thursday, en route to Calcutta for the 100th Indian Science Congress, the annual meet of the ISCA that will be organised from January 3-7. The theme of the science congress is “Science for shaping the future of India”.

Former President Kalam’s vision of making India powerful by delivering the benefits of science to every citizen and allowing people to strive towards science was seen in the form of the Vigyan Jyot (flame of knowledge). This is the second year in a row that the flame reached the AN College.

Bihari Singh, head of department, chemistry and environmental science, AN College, welcomed the guests at the welcome ceremony for the Vigyan Jyot. Organised by AN College, the ISCA initiative is supported by the ministry of youth affairs and sports, National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendra.

Sheo Satya Prakash, a council member of ISCA and co-ordinator of Wednesday’s event, presented an overview of the science congress and focussed on the five I’s — Invest, Influence, Invigorate, Increase and Inspire. “Invest in future scientific leaders, influence in policy making with best scientific advice, invigorate science and mathematics education and increase access to science and inspire students for scientific discoveries,” he said.

NSS programme officer Subhash Prasad Singh from the department of chemistry said: “Students are doing everything but concentrating on science. This is the reason the country does not have good science students. On the other hand, it is never too late and the day you start to pursue science education, it is a new morning.”