The Department of Physics, Tezpur University, successfully hosted the 14th Regular PANE Conference from November 12 to 14, 2024. The prestigious three-day academic event brought together a vibrant gathering of eminent physicists, researchers, and students from across the region and beyond to engage with the latest advancements and research in the field of physics.

The inaugural session was graced by several distinguished figures, including Prof. Dhruba J. Saikia, former Vice Chancellor of Cotton College State University and currently a professor at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; Prof. N. Nimai Singh, President of PANE; Prof. D. S. Kulshrestha, a noted theoretical physicist; and Dr. Samrat Dey, Secretary of PANE from Pragjyotish College.

Delivering the welcome address, Prof. R.R. Hoque, Vice Chancellor (in-charge) of Tezpur University, lauded the PANE forum as a dynamic platform for the exchange of scientific ideas, which in turn propels innovation and collaboration. Prof. Singh and Dr. Dey elaborated on PANE’s critical role in fostering a strong scientific culture across the Northeast and outlined its vision for the future.

A highlight of the conference was the the Bipinpal Das Memorial Oration on “Radio Galaxies and Quasars: An Overview and Current Challenges.”by Prof. Dhruba J. Saikia. He was also felicitated for his exemplary contributions to the field of physics by Ms. Aditi Bhuyan, daughter of the late Bipinpal Das, a revered academician and parliamentarian. Adding to the academic significance of the event, a book titled “Fifty Years of Quarks and Gluons”, authored by Prof. Dilip Kumar Choudhury, retired professor of physics at Gauhati University, was released during the conference.

Prof. Pabitra Nath, Head of the Department, and Prof. Gazi Ameen Ahmed, event coordinator, shared insights into the planned conference sessions and highlighted ongoing research initiatives within the department.

The conference featured multiple parallel sessions and also included a cultural programme, reflecting the rich academic and cultural diversity of the region. With record participation, the event proved to be a resounding success. Selected papers from the conference will be published in the Journal of Subatomic Particles and Cosmology, an Elsevier publication.