President to inaugurate science exhibition in Pondy

President Pratibha Patil would inaugurate the 34th Jawaharlal Nehru Science Exhibition for Children-2007 at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex at Uppalam on 21st December during her maiden visit to the Union Territory after assuming office.
Patil was likely to visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville township and the government museum the next day after an overnight stay at Rajnivas.
Puducherry administration was making full-fledged arrangements to accord an exhilarating reception to the President during her two-day visit and the Rajnivas was being spruced up for her stay, official sources said.
The two-week-long science exhibition was being organised by Directorate of School Education in association with the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT), Education minister M O H F Shahjahan said.
This was the first time that a national-level science fair was being held in Puducherry, he said.
As part of the event, around 500 children from various schools of the Union Territory would create an 'art banner' measuring 6,000 feet to project the theme of the exhibition, `Science and Mankind`.
The government has earmarked Rs 50 lakhs for the exhibition, which would be participated by students from different parts of the country. There would be around 55 stalls at the venue.
Shahjahan said the government had proposed to start a state-level council for Education Research and Training and to promote e-learning in schools.
The government has selected 80 schools to implement the 'Smart School concept'. Teachers of the schools would be trained and the syllabus would be framed in consultation with the Wipro Foundation.
Shahjahan said discussions have already been held with Wipro chief Azim Premji