New Delhi: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the 99th Indian National Congress tomorrow, i.e. January 3, 2012 in Bhubaneswar at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University. The main aim is to present the science and technologies in strategic sector for national security and the excitement of scientific challenges to the young creative minds.

Glimpse of technological might of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), like the tradition of earlier years, will be on display at the "Pride of India-Science Expo", a part of the "99th ISC", where DRDO scientists from over 30 laboratories will be present for lively interactions with the visitors, especially students.

The star attractions among the outdoor models are strategic and tactical missiles Agni and Prithvi, Nag, Akash, BrahMos and Astra. The indoor models will cover the entire gamut of R&D in DRDO. Prominent will be India's own Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas; UAVs NISHANT and Lakshya, Bridging systems Sarvatra& BLT T-72; Autonomous Underwater Vehicle; Torpedoes; and Decoys.

Military Communication equipment; Electronic Warfare systems, Night Vision Devices: Microwave Devices; NBC protective systems; Agro-animal technologies and "Packaged Food products" will be the other attractions.

A key ingredient of the DRDO presence will be the public lecture "Innovations in Science & Technology - A DRDO Perspective" by the noted scientist and well known expert in missile technologies Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, SA to RM, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Director General DRDO, on Wednesday, Jan 4, 2012. He will also interact with the participants of Children's Science Congress later the day.

Dr. W Selvamurthy, Distinguished Scientist and Chief Controller (R&D), will chair a Session on NBC Defence Technologies for Armed Forces and Civilians on Thursday and deliver the Theme Lecture. DRDO has developed many products related to NBC Defence for Service use like NBC Recce Vehicle to monitor and demarcate the contaminated area and transmit the data to the command and control centres for further planning, response and management.

The Session II of Women's Science Congress on Thursday will be chaired by Dr. ShashiBala Singh, Director, DIPAS, Delhi. DrChitraRajagopal, Associate Director, CFEES, Delhi and DrTessy Thomas, Project Director, Agni 4, ASL , Hyderabad will be Co-Chairs. This session will also have lectures by Ms. Nabanita R Krishnan, Director DMIST, DRDO Headquarters and Dr G Rohini Devi, Programme Director, ASL, Hyderabad.