Newsletter April 2018 for Private Circulation Only
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Vidnyan Bhavan, V. N. Purav Marg, Sion-Chunabhatti, Mumbai 400022 Tel. :091-22-24054714/6268 www.ncscmum.org Newsletter April 2018 For Private Circulation Only. From the Editor’s Desk Hello friends educationist and an institution-builder and technology is growing by leaps known for his contributions to the study and bounds. Newer discoveries, of cosmic rays passed away on July achievements and revolutionary 24, 2017. National Centre for Science understanding of science are Communicators (NCSC) organized a catalyzing new businesses, researches, two-day long conference in honour of technologies and industries. And Prof. Yash Pal in the year 2006. together they all reflect upon our day- to-day life. Space scientist Professor U.R. Rao, former ISRO chairman and father of the As we step into 2018, it’s time to review Indian satellite programme that started our scientific accomplishments. NCSC with Aryabhata left us on July 25, 2017. has a long list of achievementsto its He was 85 years old. credit. With efforts from our organizing committee and support from Science Veteran molecular biologist, activist Centres and Institutions, we have been and former founder-director of the able to organize successful science Centre for Cellular and Molecular communication seminars and scientific Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, Dr. Pushpa Every year we bid farewell to meetings. Mittra Bhargava passed away on August 1, 2017 at the age of 90. NCSC hosted Commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of year too the world has lost several luminaries in the field of science. This a conference to felicitate Dr. Bhargava Bombay College of Pharmacy, a seminar on his completing 80 years in the year on “Recent Trends in Science Journalism one of the key sessions at the same eminent scientists and activists.And all 2008. Incidentally, Prof.U.R.Rao chaired and Science Communication” was of them have mattered most to research organized on November 4, 2017 at the world as well have influenced the lives conference. Bombay Pharmacy College, Mumbai, of people. Here below I mention a few in collaboration with NCSC and We, at NCSC pay a tribute to all the of these celestial beings, who have left Indian Pharmaceuticals Association- renowned scientists who have dedicated behind a wealth and legacy of scientific Maharashtra State Branch, to enlighten their lives to science. We can never knowledge for us. all regarding the importance of effective forget their incredible contributions to scientific communication. Mr. Suhas the varied fields of science and the role Professor Stephen Hawking, the Naik-Satam, General Secretary, NCSC, they played as scientists, educationists renowned theoretical physicist and convened the meeting. cosmologist left for heavenly abode on and science communicators. March 14, 2018. He was 76 years old. On November 11, 2017, NCSC in We have been lucky to be living association with Nehru Science Centre, in a scientific golden era. Science Professor Yash Pal, scientist, educator, Mumbai, Materials Research Society of 1 India, Mumbai Chapter, Indian Physics (IDF), organized a “Science Technology Forecasting & Assessment Council Association, The Board of Research in Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) (TIFAC), organized a half-day meeting Nuclear Science and Tata Institute of story festival 2018”, which was at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai on Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, convened by Mr. Suhas Naik-Satam. “Technology Vision 2035: Climate organized a National Conference on Change”, which was convened by Mr. This one-day fest was a tribute to Dr. Meeting India’s Challenge in Science Suhas Naik-Satam. A.P. Jayaraman, Scientific Advisor to and Technology as a tribute to Dr. Labour India Educational Research In addition to these conference Rajagopala Chidambaram, the principal Centre, Kerala and Logic Mills Academy, meetings, NCSC jointly with Vigyan scientific advisor to the Government of Singapore, Vice Chairman, NCSC and a Prasar has been broadcasting radio India for his outstanding contribution pioneer in the genre of creative science serials for many years. Eleven to the development of Science and stories. Dr. Jayaraman completed 75 AkashvaniKendras in Maharashtra Technology for over five decades. years on January 15, 2018. The event have been broadcasting a radio serial The theme of the conference was was held at the Auditorium of Nehru in Marathi,entitled ‘ShashwatVikas’ “National Development: Energy, Science Centre, Mumbaion January 13, (sustainable development) since Education, Knowledge Network, 2018.The objective of the festival was June 4, 2017 and will continue to do National Security and Rural to engage teachers and educators with so until May 27, 2018.Aakashvani Development”. The conference was STEM stories. Pune is producing these programmes. held at the Auditorium of TIFR. The There are 52 episodes in all, some of Science and technology has formed convener for the theme meeting was which are interactive programmes the foundation for progress in society. Mr. Suhas Naik-Satam. with participation from students and The well being of any society strongly listeners. Each 30-minute program is Marathi Vidnyan Parishad (MVP) depends upon the per capita Gross a feature/drama. Dr. KishorKulkarni is felicitated Shri A. P. Deshpande, Domestic Product (GDP) income. coordinating the radio serials. Chairman, NCSC and Secretary, MVP, GDP is strongly correlated with the on his 75th birthday on December availability of energy, water, food and On behalf of the NCSC committee, we 15, 2017, for his contribution to nutrition and healthcare. To discuss the from the Editor’s desk, wish you a science communication and education. social relevance of scientific research very fruitful and productive scientific The celebration was held at Kudal, and its role in achievement of societal year ahead. We will keep you informed Maharashtra. MVP brought out a prosperity, a daylong symposium was about our activities and scientific Festschrift in his honour. organized by Nehru Science Centre, endeavours in due course of time. It is MVP and NCSC, held at the Nehru true that achieving success in science Storytelling is the primeval medium Science Centre on February 16, 2018. communication is a team sport, which of communicators. And teachers we all have to play together. More and especially are professional storytellers. Thesymposium was organized to more collaborative efforts are needed Best teachers have fine stories to narrate celebrate the Platinum jubilee year of to communicate science to society. So in the class. Storytelling basically the internationally renowned atomic let us leave our disagreements aside is embedded into early childhood scientist with academic acclaim, and work together democratically education. Unfortunately, science has professional excellence and social and ethically to achieve this goal of the largest number of stories but has commitment, Dr. Anil Kakodkar who moving along the road to discovery and the least number of storytellers. entered into the 75th year of his age understanding of science. on 11November, 2017. The convener of — Dr. Parul R. Sheth In order to carry forward this mission, the symposium was Mr. A.P. Deshpande, NCSC together with Nehru Science Chairman, NCSC. Centre, Mumbai, National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), NES and On February 26, 2018, NCSC jointly with SVB Group of educational Institutions St. Xavier Institute of Communications and Indian Development Foundation (XIC) and Technology Information, 2 RECENT TRENDS IN SCIENCE JOURNALISM AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION A bridge called as “Corpus Callosum” facilitates communication between the two hemispheres of our brain – how can this information be disseminated among people with non-scientific background? The answer is, by learning the art of scientific writing. A consummate scientific writer is the one who can make a layperson bypass the complexity of scientific labyrinth, preserve its credibility and promulgate research with utmost fidelity. Apart from the onerous lab-work, young scientists should learn how to present our research in public domain in a lucid manner. Commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Bombay College of Pharmacy, a seminar on “Recent Trends in Science Journalism and Science Communication” was organized on November 4 2017 at the Bombay Pharmacy College, in collaboration with NCSC and Indian Pharmaceuticals Association-Maharashtra State Branch, to enlighten everyone regarding the importance of effective scientific communication. Dr. Bal Phondke, prolific scientific Mr. Arvind Paranjpye, Director, Nehru writer and chief guest of the seminar, Planetarium, elucidated the dynamics accentuated the significance of of scientific communication and how scientific temperament for coherent technology has evolved, improved and communication and elaborating on paved better ways to convey scientific essentiality of faith for driving critical accomplishments to the public. Mr. Mrityunjay Bose, Chief of Bureau thinking in our minds. of Deccan Herald in Mumbai, had a pragmatic take on the love-hate relationship between scientists and journalists, explaining the pitfalls of publicizing information to the masses due to lack of inefficient communication between scientists and themedia, mediators concluding who hisare speechresponsible with ina strong message that science writers are broadcasting scientific discoveries. Dr. (Mrs.) Anuradha On behalf of Bombay College of Dr. A. P. Jayaraman, a renowned Majumdar Pharmacy, nuclear scientist and a veteranscience , Associate Professor communicatorspoke