Aafrin Kidwai 
Hectic preparations are underway for the sixth edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) to be held online from December 22 to 25, 2020. IISF is organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences in association with Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA). The festival will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 22.
This year, the theme for IISF is Science for Self-Reliant India and Global Welfare. Over 40 events will be organized under nine sub-themes. For the first time ever, IISF will include a sub-theme on waste and sanitation, coordinated by CSIR-NEERI and the International Institute of Waste Management (IIWM).
Various waste management-related events are scheduled for December 24. The aim is to provide a forum for members of the academia, government, private sector, and civil society to create awareness and share practical solutions for climate-friendly waste management, innovation, and creation of entrepreneurship to solve waste management issues in a sustainable manner.
Organizers are seeking entries for short, three-minute video presentations on best practices, innovative technologies, and successful case studies in waste management. “IISF is all about engaging the general public with science and show how science and technology provide us with the solutions to improve our lives. We will be screening videos on all waste streams including MSW, biomedical, industrial, agricultural waste, and e-waste. Weightage will be given to entries based on scientific research implemented in the field of waste management,” says Ms P Bineesha, Executive Director – IIWM.
On December 23, an online portal will be inaugurated showcasing best practices and case studies on technologies to reduce waste. “The portal is an effort to add continuity to our vision that the IISF must contribute to long-term engagement with the community, rather than be limited to a one-off annual event,” explains Ms Bineesha.
A roundtable is also being organized during the event, limited to those involved in governance and decision-making, including local body representatives, pollution control board officials, MLAs, and MPs. The discussion will focus on implementing waste management solutions towards a circular economy.
The last date for registration and submission of entries for IISF 2020 is December 19. Visit the IISF website for related information.
