Top Rotorua scientist invited to organise global forum | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Rotorua's Guna Magesan will soon be winging his way back to the country of his birth - but not for a holiday.

A senior scientist at Rotorua's Crown Research Institute, Scion, Dr Magesan has been invited to become an international co-ordinator for the Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats forum being held in Pune, India, in December.

Dr Magesan said he was "very humbled by the invitation".

"Indian science and technology is growing rapidly at the moment - much like our information technology. It's good to be in the right place at the right time," he said.

It's been a good year for Dr Magesan, who in March was honoured as one of the top 100 Indians in the world in this year's edition of 100 Global Indians, for his outstanding contribution to the community.

He is general secretary of the Hindu Council of New Zealand, co-ordinates conferences, workshops and festivals such as Deepawali (Festival of Lights), and Holi (Festival of Colour) in Rotorua, and works tirelessly to promote Hindu-Maori relations.

He is a member of the Badaga community that originated in the Tamil Nadu region of southern India.

He said the Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats forum was a unique knowledge exchange platform for Indian scientists and technical experts within India and around the world.

This year's theme is "scientific and technological approaches for sustainable use of water resources".

Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats forum secretary Shrikant Kulkarni said Dr Magesan's support and contribution would make the convention more meaningful.

"As you have an immense number of contacts in the Indian science and technology fraternity abroad, we seek your help in spreading the word," Mr Kulkarni added.

Mr Kulkarni said the more than 200,000 Indian scientists and technocrats working outside India formed a powerful and rich source of intellectual wealth.

"The forum not only intends to connect and bring scientists together to find sustainable solutions for the standing and awaiting problems of our society, but also to promote science for the well-being of humanity."

Dr Magesan said about 70 per cent of India's population relied on agriculture and the conservation of water was very important for the country's future. "New Zealand and India are also in the middle of preparing a free trade agreement so it's also a good time for scientists in both countries to get closer."