New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 108th Indian Science Congress on January 3 via video conferencing, said his office on Sunday. As per the Prime Minister's Office, the focal theme of this year's Indian Science Congress will be "Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment." The discussion will centre around issues of sustainable development, women empowerment, the role of science and technology in achieving these goals.


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Participants will discuss ways to increase the female representation of women in higher rungs of teaching, research, and industry, the Prime Minister's Office stated in a statement. Participants will also have an in-depth discussion on measures to improve women's representation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields along with their equal status in education, research opportunities, and economic participation, it informed.


Along with many programmes that have been scheduled to be held, a special programme showcasing women's contribution to science and technology will also be held with lectures being given by some renowned women scientists, the Prime Minister's Office mentioned


Children's Science Congress is being organised to help stimulate scientific interest and temperament among children. the Farmers' Science Congress is being organised to provide a platform to improve the bio-economy and attract young people to agriculture, read the PMO statement.


"Tribal Science Congress will also be held, which will also be a platform for scientific display of indigenous ancient knowledge system and practice, along with focusing on the empowerment of tribal women," the PMO stated.


The first Indian Science Congress was held in 1914, and now the 108th annual session of Indian Science Congress will take place at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University.


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