Linadu: The Nobel Island (Experience)
From the day of our journey I was very much excited to meet Nobel Laureates.It was early morning of 27th June,2009, we had started from Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. We landed at Munich and reached the dreamed Island Lindau, the “Island of Nobel Laureates” by 7.30 PM. The view of world renowned postcard motifs at the harbor of Lindau namely Lighthouse and the Lion are really beautiful. On 28th June the unique meeting was started with the Inaugural Lecture of Countess Bettina Bernadotte, President of the council, which addressed the main theme of the meeting. The aim of the 59th meeting was to exchange of views and ideas between 23 Nobel Laureates and 580 young researchers from 67 countries towards finding solutions to the global challenges, particularly in the area of climate change and sustainability. German Federal Minister of Education and Research, Human Resource and Development Minister of India, and the Science and Research minister of China also took part in the opening ceremonies. Honourable Minister Kapil Sibal delivered a well-addressed lecture, which attracted the crowd gathered there. India, a copartner country for this year for this event, hence sponsored all activities of a single day. We had a cultural show where, one of our colleague performed Bharat Natyam and which magnetized the whole crowd. All lectures by the Nobel Laureates were very much fascinating, enjoyable and encouraging. Out of all, Ertle’s (Gerhard Ertle, Noble prize 2007) lecture on heterogeneous catalysis inspired me a lot. Kroto’s (Harold W. Kroto, Noble prize 1996) lecture on “Science Society and Sustainability” was really a great inspiration for me. His expression and presentation style was extraordinary and he’s actively participating in Science Education and popularization of science. The lectures by Martin Chalfie and Roger Tsien (Noble prize 2008) Green Fluorescent Proteins (GFP) were very attractive. Particularly, the suggestions by Prof. Tsien to young researchers, was really great. He advised to find project, which puts neuroses in constructive use, gives sensual pleasure. He also recommended to make collaboration and asked to make Lemonade from Lemon. Informal discussion was a great opportunity to ask any doubt in our research or personal problem. Theyalways gave positive suggestions. The positive attitude brought them to thisposition. They don’t consider any time limit for their work, they enjoy theirwork. Unless and until one doesn’t haveown interest in his/her subject, he/shewill not achieve successes, this is the view of almost all Nobel Laureates.I had the great opportunity to have dinner with Prof. Martin Chalfie. Wewere requesting him to share his feeling after the announcement of Nobel Prize.“Of course, I was quite happy to receive the honorable Prize, also I am lucky”-he smiled. Generally, a phone-call from Stockholm at around 4 AM brings the great news for the winner.Unfortunately Prof. Chalfie missed the phone-call as there was no phone in their bed room. He waked up at 6 AMand browsed Google and surprised to see his name in news (I was astonished to listen this because I read news in the newspaper about my nomination for Nobel Prize!). Chalfie was quite upset about Douglas Prasher and his wife Tulle Hazelrigg, because they also contributed in the root level of Green Fluorescent Proteins. Chalfie said of Prasher's contribution: "Douglas Prasher's work was critical and essential for the work we did in our lab. They could've easily given the prize to Douglas and the other two and left me out”. Overall, it was wonderful trip for my life. Meeting Nobel Laureates, listening and talking with them, clearing doubts from them were fabulous experiences. They are the God of Science.The conference was concluded on 3rd July with a panel discussion entitled“Global warming and sustainability” on the Mainau Island, the heaven of the Earth. It is really rare to have such a great moment of attending meeting on one of the most beautiful Island in the world. An exhibition namely, “Discoveries” was also opened on that day where the scientific experiments, simulation related to water were focused. India was presenting the production of energy by splitting of water and treatment of wastewater plant, which attracted the visitors to the great extent. Fortunately I was accommodated with a young researcher from USA, I had a great experience by sharing our knowledges. I found that our educational system has vast difference from them. He was expert on one field whereas I had little knowledge on various areas, of course not expertise in any single field. There was also some interactive session where we shared our research experiences with other colleague from different countries. After the Lindau meeting we have visited various well known research laboratory and Universities like FHI of Chemical Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, Technical University of Berlin, University of Mainz, Bielefeld University, University of Bonn etc. We had various experiences during this visit. First, faculties or scientists introduced us to their research area with a scientific presentation followed by laboratory visit which generally does not happen in our institutes. Secondly, the laboratories are highly equipped with all modern technologies. At last, I encourage all the Scientist, Faculty, Research scholar, and student from North Easter region to apply for the meeting and participate actively in near future. It is a great opportunity to explore ourselves internationally.
Published in Newsletter of North East India Research Forum, N. E. Quest; Volume 3, Issue 2, July 2009. 43
