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This strategic MoU, which would leverage the strengths and capabilities of both the organizations, is envisaged to give a boost to the‘ Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and go a long way in realizing the Government’s vision of a Digital India. PRESS NOTE

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By Priyanka S Raj

Someone righty said “The science of today is the technology of tomorrow. We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology”
Striving towards building a science communication arena for society and disseminating the scientific findings that are happening within the four walls of the science labs to the space centre and making their discoveries, inventions and findings reach the public, Vigyan Prasar becomes a one-stop destination for disseminating scientific findings to the masses. Vigyan Prasar (VP) is an autonomous organization set by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in 1989 striving continuously to popularise the wonders of science amongst the common people. Serving the sole agenda of taking large–scale India’s Science popularisation, VP has enlisted several initiatives to practice, inform, aware, and educate citizens of India, about the growth of science and technology. In other words, it has created an atmosphere of wonders of science through its various projects to foster the scientific temper of every non-scientific folk without barring the age groups.
In the contemporary era, Science is getting harder to read. We must understand delivering scientific research to layman is a must. Especially after the Covid era, after a lot of myths and misconceptions about the basic knowledge of health science, people have become the victims of rumours. Scientific findings were not understood and many people lost their lives due to not having the right knowledge about the pandemic. Thus we need to create a scientific sky on non-scientific land. In simpler words, ask a child to ride a hot air balloon without taking a spacecraft and feel the space.
While addressing an event Year Long Celebrations of Inspirational Indian Scientists, held on 22nd Dec 2021, Former Vice President of India, and Shri Venkaiah Naidu said, “There is a need for better science communication in regional languages to reach out to people in their mother language and inculcate a scientific temper among them.”
Speaking of Vigyan Prasar’s Publication Programme, it has served tremendously in delivering science literature reads in the form of popular science books, magazines, and newsletters to enlighten our audience in local languages. Additionally, Dream 2047 which is a bilingual magazine of VP, has made a progressive impact on our readers.

Vigyan Prasar has set a unique agenda for creating a vibrant and scientifically aware nation and citizens through its various programs
Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) is an initiative conceptualized & supported by National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) Division, Department of Science and Technology (DST) which gives the wings to young researchers who are looking for great opportunity to evolve and develop their science writings, showcase their research articles.
An opportunity that inspires the scientific temperament and recalls the possibility of publishing science stories and communicating to society. Dr Praveen Arora, who is the Advisor and Head of NCSTC, DST highlights “India is a pool of young researchers. The country ranks third in scientific publications output after China and USA; and not only this, India is ranked third in the number of PhDs awarded in Science & Technology. We see most of the stories are outsourced from foreign. However, these stories have less proximity and relevance to which India couldn’t serve the local contexts and the diverse needs of society in communicating scientific discoveries. Department of Science and Technology and National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) Division initiated a program AWSAR in the year 2018 that envisages bridging the existing gap in communicating research to the common man by utilizing the latent potential of PhD Scholars and Post-Doctoral Fellows (PDFs).

Again, generating robust knowledge of science amongst local masses isn’t an easy task yet VP’s Science Communication Programmes have significantly contributed to delivering the fundamental knowledge of science and extended its reach to every corner of India. Speaking of making a Science outreach through Science Programs, VP has a number of platforms like India Science Channel (OTT), Publications like DREAM 2047, (bi-lingual magazine), Science through Radio ‘HAM Radio’ to NSFFI Science Films event and exhibitions and fairs are some of the examples that profoundly defines the agenda of VP.
Fostering scientific temperament amongst young research scholars is the need of the hour. Expressing the views on the importance of science popularisation, one of the Science researchers, Sreejan Alapati said “Science developed as people in medieval times started to observe and make an understanding of that observation. Back then, not everyone was interested in observations made or they didn’t want to change their already existing perspectives on the way things work. For example, it took centuries for people to believe in the heliocentric model of the solar system. As science advanced and inventions of machinery grew from the postulates made in science, people started believing in science. With the Industrial revolution, science and research began reaching more people. All that happened without the internet or the great connectivity of people around the world. Thus science communication is important not just in the 21st century, but forever.”
In the 21st century, when the internet is there to connect people all around the world, it becomes obvious as a civilization to have even more growth collectively. But, the research done today progresses slowly, even when the world is connected. The reason could be the availability of resources both tangible and material to an individual in the science and research stream. Information that exists in journals today might not be accessible to everyone. However, most researchers look up to the media to know about growth in science and development. In such a context, young researchers are highly commended for displaying their original ideas and discoveries as part of Project AWSAR, which also inspires them to continue working on scientific research and present their stories while they are still in the initial stages of research development.

Positive aspects of Vigyan Prasar
The goal of VIGYAN PRASAR is to simply generate a scientific arena and let people think and apply science day-to-dayay to day lives without discouraging their non-scientific knowledge. Our younger generation should be made aware of about new scientific approaches and technologies, foster creativeness in them; through our programmes and activities happening time to time. Simultaneously, VP  is working positively to include women in the science and technology stream. To generate interest amongst and promote the role of women in science” Gender and Science Technology” programme has set a novel agenda in the department. Communicating Science effectively through all age groups of women coming from different socio-economic strata focus on the overall decision making of women in the science and get accustomed to apply in their everyday lives.This inclusiveness creates space for all to communicate and engage within the framework of science and technology in the service in the service of our nation.

Conclusion
“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men. Regrettably, there is no connection at all between our science and society.” Vigyan Prasar turned into an instrument in delivering discoveries and inventions to the citizen of India .
Becoming the voice of citizen scientists, our programmes are reaching last mile and we firmly believe that our job has just begun and miles are yet to cover. It has also facilitated strategies for bilateral and multilateral initiatives and assisted in national missions science related schemes to strengthen outreach/engagement interventions. Nevertheless VP strives to adapt, utilize, and employ new and emerging technologies for Science and Communication Popularisation and stemming the science in every household.
Speaking on the positive aspects of popularisation of science in the society happening through Vigyan Prasar, the young research scholar from Hyderabad told that “Growth of a society depends on the ideologies of people living in the society. Imagine a caveman never inventing the wheel or fire; all the cultural advancements would never have happened. Growth in science brings work to a lot of people, that are not involved in the science and research directly too. Advancement in science and education will advance the growth of civilization, in terms of an economic standpoint and also makes lives easy. If all the inventions ever made are all kept secret, people would still be struggling to get the basic needs of food, water or shelter. Henceforth, Vigyan Prasar had made popularising science in such a simpler manner that it is inspiring more people from a very young age to choose science communication and science research as a career. When more minds work for the development of society by inventing and exploring, humanity as a whole will advance. Showing people the wonders in science and research that happen in the contemporary world is significantly happening through Vigyan Prasar programmes”

When we talk about delivering relevant and appropriate information promptly, VP teams have left no stone unturned, specifically in science-oriented communication programmes. It is indeed setting a benchmark in science communication and popularisation in the country before it becomes difficult, Vigyan Prasar has embark upon a journey which would lead to many more success stories.

 Priyanka S Raj 

Writer is a freelance journalist and Media Coordinator at Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology,
New Delhi

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During 2019, six launch vehicle and seven satellite missions were realised by ISRO. The year also marked the 50th launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Dr Sivan said that two new variants of the PSLV were introduced. For the first time, the spent fourth stage of the PSLV was successfully demonstrated as an experimental orbital platform. Indigenously developed Vikram processor by Semi-Conductor Laboratory was flight tested during the year. International mobile standards body 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) approved India’s regional navigation satellite system NavIC which would facilitate NavIC’s use in mobile phones.

On the capacity building front, a second launch port, exclusively for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), is planned to be established in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. “Land acquisition activities are presently in progress”, said Dr. Sivan. A second Vehicle Assembly Building in SDSC SHAR Sriharikota was dedicated to the nation during the year for increasing the launch frequency. As part of the enhanced outreach activity, a launch viewing gallery was operationalised in Sriharikota to facilitate viewing of launches live by the public.

In an effort towards horizontal expansion of ISRO, Space Technology Cells, Space Technology Incubation Centres andRegional Academic Centres for Space were established during the year and many more such centres are planned in the future. A special programme for school children called “YuvaVIgyaniKAryakram (YUVIKA)”aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications was also introduced during the last year.

To carry forward the industry production of space systems, ISRO incorporated New Space India Limited (NSIL), under the Department of Space and efforts in realising PSLVs from industry initiated.

Pertaining to future programmes, Dr Sivan said Chandrayaan-3 mission to the moon, comprising a lander and a rover is approved by the Government and activities for its realisation are in progress.

Talking about India’s first human space flight mission Gaganyaan, Dr. Sivan said “We’ve made good progress in the mission. The process of Astronaut selection for the mission is completed”. He further added that four astronauts have been selected, who will undergo extensive training.

Other projects during the year include SSLV, GSLV with 4m ogive payload fairing, GSAT-20 satellite, NavIC with indigenous atomic clocks, Indian Data Relay Satellite System, Aditya-L1 and XPOSAT.

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in his remark PM said The Union Cabinet led by the Prime Minister took the historic decision in June 2020 to open up the Space sector and enable the participation of Indian private sector in the entire gamut of space activities. With the creation of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), the reforms will provide a level playing field for private companies and start-ups. Subsequently, several ventures have submitted proposals with IN-SPACe under the Department of Space. The proposals pertain to a vast range of activities including satellite constellation, small satellite launch vehicles, ground station, geospatial services, propulsion systems and application products.

Unlocking India’s potential in Space sector

Prime Minister thanked the participants for providing feedback about their experience so far. He said that the decision to unlock India’s potential in the Space sector has heralded a new age of public-private partnership in this sector. He assured the participants of complete and wholehearted support of the government in this endeavour. He noted that the professionalism and transparency in policies as well as the decision-making process of the government will prove beneficial for the companies joining the Space sector.

Taking note of the plans of companies to make rockets and satellites, the Prime Minister remarked that this marks a big change that will further strengthen India’s foray into the Space sector. He said that private investment in the sector will lead to the creation of hi-tech jobs, which will provide a host of opportunities to the talent pool in IITs/NITs and other technical institutions. He said that it is his firm belief that just like Indian talent has been able to attain worldwide fame in the IT sector, it will be able to do so in the Space sector as well.

Going beyond Ease of Doing Business

Prime Minister underlined that the reforms in the Space sector are not limited to ensuring ease of doing business, but necessary mechanisms have also been put in place to ensure help for the participants at each stage, including making available testing facilities and launchpads. He said that through these reforms, the endeavour is not only to ensure that India becomes a competitive space market, but also to ensure the benefits of the space programme reach out to the poorest. He asked the participants to think boldly and work for the benefit of the society and the country.

Prime Minister underlined the significance of the Space sector in communication and navigation. He assured the participants that they will be co-passengers with ISRO in this age of space research and expressed hope that the country would soon become the manufacturing hub of space assets.

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The conference will bring together science and environment journalists from India and abroad to discuss issues like science communication in the age of convergence, the art of science storytelling, research papers  and popular content, social media influencers, creating a science niche in the media, regional media and so on.

The media conclave on November 6-7, 2019 will be inaugurated by Chairman of Prasar Bharati, Shri A. Surya Prakash and Dr Vijay P. Bhatkar, President, Vigyan Bharati and will be graced by some of the renowned names in the science media space who will present their perspectives in the different sessions.

Around 200 science journalists and communicators from India and some from abroad will interact with delegates, on how to give science content better in traditional as well as digital media to motivate and guide younger generations towards developing a scientific temper.

In an age where the contours of the word “media” are being constantly expanded – with fresh genres getting enabled by technology every year – it has become important to analyse how science and technology can be taken to the masses, impactfully, leading the young generation towards a more scientific temper and mindset.

Let us walk through the sessions:

Science communication in the age of convergence

We now live in an age when newspapers are outdone by live satellite television and televisions are outdone by social media and p2p mobile messengers. The coming together of print, radio, television and internet has brought about a paradigm shift in the way the consumer consumes content today. This session will discuss how that changes the way one writes or films.

The Art of Science storytelling

Storytelling can make or break an article or a film. The real impact of writing an article or messaging in a film depends on how well the story gets conveyed to the reader or viewer – through language, diction, cinematography, graphics and info-graphics. Technology has brought in many tools that can make an article or a film or a radio programme more impactful. This session will highlight all these aspects of science storytelling.

Science Research: Papers vs Popular Content

The world of research in science and technology often measures reach and success by the number of papers published and citations received. But for the masses in general, science needs to be simplified and disseminated in popular publications. This session will dwell upon the difference between the two which is often misunderstood, resulting in profile and expectation mismatches.

Influencers – The Newest edge of outreach

With the advent of social media, traditional media has lost much of its sheen. Big media houses don’t hold the monopoly of achieving reach any longer. There is now a whole breed of enterprising bloggers who have managed to secure a large enough audience, which makes them “influencers” by their own right. The session on influencers will deliberate on how science and technology can leverage them well.

Creating a practical Science niche in the media                                                 

Why do most journalists opt for either politics or business or sports in their careers? Why do we see so few focused and committed science journalists in India today? Is this just a business viability issue for media houses, or is the prospect of science writing or film making not projected properly as a strong proposition? Discussions in this session will focus on these questions.

Science in regional media – New Frontiers

As English content consumption plateaus out on the internet, the next frontier is surely about regional languages. This is being fueled by the growth of regional language portals, OTT platforms and an ever-increasing penetration of broadband internet into India’s small towns and rural countryside. Where can all this lead us and how ready are we to leverage it fully—in the regional media session will take us through these issues.

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