``Fewer and fewer younger people are turning to science. This will surely precipitate a crisis'', said Dr Mashelkar.

This year, CSIR launched a programme for youth leadership in science to encourage budding talent in science. Accordingly, the top 50 students at the Secondary School Examination (Class X) of each State Education Board as also in each zone of the Central Board of Secondary Education will be invited at CSIR's expense for a two day visit to the nearest CSIR laboratory along with one parent. The top five among them will have the option of visiting two other additional CSIR laboratories anywhere in India, informed Dr Mashelkar.

The labs will organise activities like lectures by eminent scientists and audio-visual media showson science, including contributions of Indian scientists. Those students who opt for science will be provided facilities to do their project work for class XII at a CSIR lab at CSIR's cost, said Dr Mashelkar.

And students scoring 90 per cent in science subjects in class XII examinations and opting to study science will continue to be supported for another three years till graduation. They will be designated as CSIR Student Associates and given facilities to work on a project in a CSIR lab of their choice during their vacations upto 14 weeks per year. CSIR will meet their travel expenses and provide them hostel accommodation and a studentship of Rs 500 per week, said Dr Mashelkar.

A total 43,816 students were conferred degrees today. The president of India Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold medal went to Sameer Honwad, a post graduate student (geography) for his excellent academic track record and extra curricular activities during 1997-98.

The Chancellor's medal went to Nuruddin Ziyauddin Bhaisaheb of theDepartment of Arabic for having secured the highest number of marks in Arabic from among all the successful candidates who took different subjects at the MA degree examination held in May 1998. Nuruddin was also awarded the Shri Dhondopant Ravjisheth Talegaonkar Silver medal. The D.Sc degree certificates were given to Dr Ronald Sequeira and Dr Alka Sharad Gogate.