Popularization of science among the masses is a major programme of

Transcription

1 Popularization of Science Popularization of science among the masses is a major programme of NISCAIR. For the purpose of spreading awareness about scientific developments and creating a scientific temper among today s youth, the Institute publishes three well-circulated popular science magazines Science Reporter (English monthly), Vigyan Pragati (Hindi monthly), and Science ki Duniya (Urdu quarterly), apart from a number of popular science books. Science Reporter Science Reporter, one of the oldest English language popular science monthlies published in India, entered into its 40 th year of publication. The magazine enjoys a wide readership throughout the country. Science Reporter continued with its objective of providing to its readers topical coverage of issues in various fields such as information technology, wildlife, environment, space, nuclear technology, health, and biotechnology as well as light reading material such as humour, amazing scientific facts, profiles of scientists, science projects, inventions and discoveries and much more. Efforts were made to give a contemporary look to the magazine by inviting special articles from experts. Articles that would appeal to students 31

2 were also prepared in-house from time to time, such as Creating Movie Magic (August 2002) on the magical special effects that have immortalized movies; CSIR Completes 60 Years (October 2002) on the establishment, rise and achievements of CSIR; and Flying High Hundred Years of Aviation (January 2003), describing the historic advances and landmark achievements in the field of aviation during the last century. Some other important topics covered during this period are Smart Homes of the Future (May 2002), on technologies that have made it possible to stay connected to one s home from anywhere; The Truth and the Hype of Hypnosis (June 2002), giving a scientific explanation to the much misrepresented phenomenon of hypnotism; Media Lab Asia Taking Information to the Masses (September 2002) on independent India s first billion dollar project; Indian Railways The Nation s Lifeline (November 2002) taking a close look at the technological developments in the second largest railway system in the world; Digitally Divided (November 2002) on the digital divide that threatens to accelerate economic differences; Peaks of Biodiversity (December 2002) on the fragile ecosystems of the mountains round the world; Medicinal Plants on the Touchstone of Science (February 2003) on medicinal plants in the country; Death in the Sky (March 2003) on the Columbia tragedy; and Will it Bounce? (March 2003) on the characteristics of cricket pitches and science behind swing bowling to coincide with the Cricket World Cup. The column Puzzle Corner continued to attract mass appeal judging by the hundreds of entries received every month in response to the Prize Puzzle. To decide the winners of the Prize Puzzle, a draw of lots is conducted from among the hundreds of correct entries received every month. The 32

3 draw of lots is conducted in schools from time to time. This serves to create an awareness among students about the magazine while at the same time kindling interest in them for science. To further generate interest among the readers, two competitions Science Cartoon Competition and Science Fiction Competition were organised during the year. The competitions received overwhelming response from readers. The winning entries were published in different issues of Science Reporter. Commencing January 2003 issue, certain changes have been introduced in the layout as well as content of the magazine to make it more attractive to the younger readers. These include: a) Changes in layout of the Contents and In Focus pages; b) Change in the font type; c) Introduction of a new column entitled Fact File containing the segments Star Watch (giving description of a constellation every month), Ingenious Inventions (dealing with inventions), Herbal Healers (dealing with medicinal plants) and Safe Sanctuaries (dealing with habitat, flora and fauna found in the Sanctuaries and National Parks in the country); d) Introduction of a new column titled Entertainment Arena dealing with interesting gadgets, computer games, educational CDs, etc.; and e) Addition of two new sections to the Spectrum column News Briefs (containing brief news items from the world of science) and Patent Trivia (dealing with interesting patents awarded round the world). Vigyan Pragati Vigyan Pragati is a monthly popular science magazine in Hindi that reaches far and wide in the country. Running in its 52 nd year, Vigyan Pragati endeavours to introduce its readers to the important current events/ issues in an easy-to-understand manner. The major issues covered during the year are: Medicinal Plants, Diamonds, Alpha Space Station; Plant Hormones/Human Hormones (April 2002); Syndrome X, Edible Vaccines, Research Institutions of India, Vermiculture, Seabuckthorn (May 2002); Biodiversity, Air Pollution, Pollution & Human Role, Noise Pollution, Pollution from Organic Chemicals (June 2002, special issue on Environment & Biodiversity); Geoscientific Monuments, The World of Spiders, Antarctica, Internet Telephony, Minerals (July 2002); A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Honorable President of India, Wireless Application Protocol (August 2002); Vultures, Withania somnifera & Ocimun sanctum (September 2002 issue); World Food Day (October 2002, special issue); Children s Day (November 2002, special issue); Metro Rail Project, Bats, Stephen Hawkings (December 2002); Traditional Knowledge (January 33

4 2003, special issue); Special issue on National Science Day which included an exhaustive article on CSIR also (February 2003); and the latest on Columbia Space Shuttle Tragedy (March 2003). In addition to all the above, Science Quizzes were included issuewise on different topics as also Pratiyogion Ke Liye. Articles pertaining to health and medicine received appreciation from the readers as reflected by the letters of the readers received from time to time. Under the Outreach Programme, schools were visited and contacts developed with the science teachers. Science ki Duniya Science ki Duniya, the quarterly popular science magazine in Urdu, reaches far and wide across the country. One of the most widely read Urdu magazines in the country, it has now entered into its 30 th year. During Science ki Duniya continued to disseminate information on current scientific topics in easy and attractive manner. The cover stories brought out during this year are Biodiversity ek jaeza (April-June 2002), A.P.J. Abdul Kalam laboratory se rashtrapati bhawan tak ka safar (July-September 2002), Indian railways ke ek sau pachas sal ka ek jaeza and Delhi metro rail (October-December 2002). The October-December issue was also a special issue on children containing a number of articles for children, like Duniya ka azeem darya Amazon, Nap taul ke maiyaron ki ahmiyat, Parindoon se hum nae kya seekha (science fiction), Machchar bhi kuch kam nahin, and Main protein hoon. On the occasion of International Year of Mountain Himalaya pahar 34

5 aur mahuliya and other major articles covering the Diamond Jubilee of CSIR have been published in the January-March 2003 issue. Besides these, regular columns on science model, science quiz, miracles and science, science for children and women, health, biography, science news, crime and science, scientific terminology, book reviews, cartoon and science fiction are also being published. CSIR News CSIR News, the fortnightly newsletter of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research serves as a useful link among the various CSIR establishments and communicates activities/accomplishments of the Council to other 35

6 R&D organizations, universities, S&T agencies/departments, industry and other users, mass media, etc. It also disseminates information on CSIR to other countries through Indian missions abroad and foreign missions in India. The 24 issues brought out during covered news pertaining to R&D accomplishments, technology transfers, marketing, commercialization/utilization, sponsorships, collaborations, IPR, etc. Also covered were the announcement of S. S. Bhatnagar Prize-winners for 2002 and prize-winning works of the awardees for the year 2001, presentation of CSIR Young Scientist and Technology Awards for 2002, major seminars, conferences, workshops, training programmes, lectures, visits etc. The 30 March 2002 issue was brought out as a special issue on Traditional Knowledge Digital Library and 15 October issue covered the presentation of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes-2001 by Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The 30 October issue was a special number on CSIR Diamond Jubilee, and 28 February 2003 issue was special issue on Dr R. A. Mashelkar, Director General, CSIR. CSIR Samachar Launched in 1984, CSIR Samachar is now in its 20 th year. It is a monthly news bulletin in Hindi, which covers the R&D activities of all the laboratories of CSIR and consequently serves as a useful link. It also disseminates information on various activities of CSIR. November-December issue of CSIR Samachar exclusively covered the CSIR Diamond Jubilee function held at Vigyan Bhavan on 26 th September It also included the awards instituted by CSIR, especially Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award; Technology shield/award; Young Scientist Award etc. Books Published The Institute has brought out more than 60 popular books in English under different series, viz. CSIR Golden Jubilee Series (25), Sci-Fun Series (7), Q-Series (3), Vistas in Biotechnology Series (10), Foundations of Biotechnology Series (6), Others (9), and the encyclopaedic publication Golden Treasury of Science & Technology. Also, 28 books have been brought out in Hindi. All the popular books of NISCAIR have been very well received and several of them had to be reprinted 2-3 times to meet the demand. 36

7 The publications brought out by NISCAIR during the last year are: 1. A Textbook of Biotechnology was brought out for the CBSE, which has launched the Biotechnology course in schools for the first time in India. The job involved editing of the manuscripts provided by senior authors chosen by the CBSE, vetting and visualization of illustrations, proof-reading and printing. Names of the persons involved in the book are given in Appendix A revised updated version of the much appreciated and highly sold Golden Treasury of Science & Technology was brought out on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the CSIR. The volume contained about 400 new scientific entries keeping in view current concerns and contemporary topics. The revised volume was released on 26 September 2002 the Foundation Day of CSIR by Dr N. Vijayaditya, Director-General, National Informatics Centre (NIC). The names of the persons involved in the book are given in Appendix Hindi version of the Golden Jubilee series book Curable Cancer, Cancer par roktham, was brought out during February A book Healthcare, Education and IT The Road Ahead, was brought out on the occasion of the 89 th Session of the Indian Science Congress held at Lucknow during 3-7 January The book contained overviews of the various sessions as well as interviews of eminent scientists conducted by NISCAIR scientists. The names of the persons involved in the book are given in Appendix 4. 37