Science Popularization 2 Popularizing Science, Inculcating Scientific Temper OPULARIZATION of science, role for the country by disseminating scientific Pinculcation of scientific temper and information to the country’s citizens, inculcat- dissemination of scientific information to the ing scientific temper and attracting students masses in a language they can easily understand towards science. is an important mandate of CSIR. This mandate is Under its Science Popularization being fulfilled by CSIR-NISCAIR, which realizes Programme, CSIR-NISCAIR has also brought that the rapid pace of progress today makes it out a large number of popular science books, imperative to equip citizens with information which remain much in demand years after their in a manner that helps them comprehend the publication. scientific developments around them. The institute also publishes the Council’s CSIR-NISCAIR takes science to the people R&D newsletters, viz. CSIR News and CSIR through its three well known popular science Samachar, which serve as purveyor of news magazines: Science Reporter (English monthly), regarding activities and accomplishments of Vigyan Pragati (Hindi monthly) and Science-ki- CSIR. Duniya (Urdu quarterly). The magazines find CSIR-NISCAIR has recently forayed into wide circulation throughout the country. Riding the world of multimedia and cyberspace in on their high quality of content, exquisite pro- an effort to take science to the masses with the duction quality, and timeliness the magazines establishment of the Science Communication have today become the largest selling popular through Multimedia Division. science magazines in the country. With their wide coverage of scientific issues, SCIENCE REPORTER latest scientific updates and by providing a Launched in 1964, Science Reporter entered very good opportunity for young and budding into its 50th year of publication in 2013. During science writers to display their writing talent, 2010-2013, it continued with its objective of the magazines are playing a very important providing to its readers topical coverage of CSIR-NISCAIR Triennial Report 2010-13 15 scientific issues from around the world as well as light reading material such as humour, amazing scientific facts, profiles of scientists, inventions, discoveries, debates, science fiction, puzzles and much more. Concerted efforts are made to give a contemporary look to the magazine by covering topical issues of major significance and also by inviting special articles from experts. Some of the important topics covered during the Garden, Search for the Higgs boson, CSIR@70, period 2010-2013 are Water scarcity, Combating 100 Years of X-ray diffraction, etc. hunger, 350 Years of Royal Society, Fusion, 50 Years of Laser, 50 years of the first man in space, Special Issues Indian science through the ages, 100 Years To provide an added focus on certain topics of of ICMR, Insight into Kudamkulam, Unsung national concern, special issues of the magazine heroes in science, 225 Years of Indian Botanic were brought out from time to time: Special issues of Science Reporter 2010 - 2011 2011 - 2012 2012 - 2013 1.International Year of Biodiversity 1. International Year of Chemistry 1. International Year of (May 2010): Articles on biodiversity (April 2011): Interview with Prof. Mathematics conservation, protecting wild varieties, C.N.R. Rao, chemistry in daily life, (April 2012):Indo-Arabic frozen zoos, wetland conservation, Green Chemistry, discovery of oxygen, numerals, powerful zero, restoration ecology. materials of the future, fun with maths in art, world of chemistry. mathematicians, Ramanujan, 2. Environment (June 2010): Articles Turing. on killing fields of Alang, plastic 2. Nuclear disaster (May 2011): waste, volcanic ash, green computing, Fukushima disaster, interviews with 2. Higgs boson eroding beaches. Dr. R. Bhattacharya, Secretary, Atomic (November 2012): Search for Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and Higgs boson, India’s CERN 3. Global warming (September 2010): Dr. Baldev Raj, Director, Indira Gandhi connection, India in ALICE. Articles on mechanics of global Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), warming, rising seas, methane Kalpakkam, radiation alert. 3. Wildlife emissions. (January 2013): Importance of 3. International Year of Forests (June zoos, interview with Dr. Asad 4. Science of sports (October 2010): 2011): Preserving forest biodiversity, Rahmani, Director-BNHS, Technology in sports,sports nutrition, urban forests, bamboo craft, saving wildlife conservation, Kawar doping in sports, sports exercises. screwpines. lake sanctuary under threat, disappearing wild species. 5. Nanotechnology (February 4. Women in science (January 2012): 2011): Promise of nanotechnology, Women in space, female science nanomedicine, nanotechnology and stars, women science communicators, energy crisis, nanotechnology in interview with Dr. Geeta Bali, defence. President-99th ISC. 16 CSIR-NISCAIR Triennial Report 2010-13 Science Popularization Interactive Columns 6. Safe Haven: Featuring forest reserves, To enhance its appeal and attract more readers, national parks and sanctuaries in India. Science Reporter lays great stress on keeping the contents dynamic by introducing new columns Science Fiction and Science Cartoon Competitions from time to time, such as: To involve the readers more closely and 1. Puzzle Corner, attracts mass appeal judging also to inculcate the habit of thinking by hundreds of entries received every month in scientifically, especially among the younger response to the prize puzzle. The winners of the readers, Science Reporter initiated the Science prize puzzle are finalized after a draw of lots Fiction and Science Cartoon competitions from among the huge numbers of correct entries during the year 2008. These competitions have received every month. become annual events and are attracting 2. Point Counterpoint, featuring a debate widespread participation of readers from all on issues of concern every month, has been walks of life. attracting wide participation. Some of the issues dealt with during 2010-2013 included: Politics VIGYAN PRAGATI and crime are given more coverage in the Launched in 1952, Vigyan Pragati has entered media than science; Keeping animals in zoos is the 59th year of its publication in 2010. Vigyan unethical; Sports should be made compulsory in Pragati endeavours to familiarise its readers schools; A dedicated science channel is necessary with important current to disseminate authentic scientific information events/issues in the field and create scientific temper; Mining is necessary of science in an easy- for development, people owning such mining- to-understand manner. rich lands should be relocated; Science has The keen interest of the perverted the fundamental basis of human readers is well evident relations. With the advent of inventions such by their feedback through as the Internet, television and computer games, the incessant inflow of we are now communing with a lifeless collection letters. of microchips, not each other; Can science & Articles from technology help tackle corruption?; Is it morally experts were acceptable to experiment on animals to develop published on products and medicines that benefit human several topical beings; All politicians need to be scientifically issues to apprise aware, etc. readers of the latest 3. What’s New: This column features new developments. Some gadgets, inventions, innovations, software, etc. of the important topics covered during the period 4. Indian Scientists: Featuring brief articles on 2010-2103 are Sunspots, the life and times of Indian scientists. Global warming, Large 5. Ingenious Inventions: Featuring innovations Hadron Collider, Organic and inventions that have marked the progress farming, 40 years of ISRO, of science over the years. Water on moon, Wildlife conservation, etc. CSIR-NISCAIR Triennial Report 2010-13 17 Special issues of Vigyan Pragati magazine on thematic topics as given below: 2010 - 2011 2011 - 2012 2012 - 2013 1. World Health Day (April 2010) 1. World Health Day (April 2011) 1. World Health Day 2. Space Sciences (May 2010) 2. International Year of (April 2012) 3. World Environment Day (June 2010) Biodiversity (May 2011) 2. Nuclear Disasters (May 2012) 4. International Year of 3. World Environment Day 3. World Environment Day (June Biodiversity (July 2010) (June 2011) 2012) 5. Distinguished Scientific 4. Space Technology (July 2011) 4. From Earth to Sky (July 2012) Personalities (August 2010) 5. Biotechnology (August 2011) 5. Highly Useful Plants 6. Biotechnology 6. Articles of CSIR Scientists (August 2012) (September 2010) (September 2011) 6. 60 Years of CSIR-NISCAIR 7. World Animal Day 7. World Food Day (September 2012) (October 2010) (October 2011) 7. World Food Day 8. Children’s Day 8. Medical Sciences (October 2012) (November 2010) (November 2011) 8. Children’s Day 9. Trains (December 2010) 9. Nobel Prizes (December 2011) (November 2012) 10. National Science Day 10. Latest Information 9. Ladakh (December 2012) (February 2011) (January 2012) 10. Nobel Prizes 11. International Year of 11. National Science Day (January 2013) Chemistry (March 2011) (February 2012) 11. Fossils (February 2013) 12. Scientific Conferences 12. Means of Transport (March 2012) (March 2013) Articles published on CSIR Laboratories in Deamask Rose; Bamboo Museum (CSIR- Vigyan Pragati IHBT) 2010-2011 4. Flowers for Employment (CSIR-CIMAP) 1. Attractive Plants and Pollution Control; Moss 5. Headup Display; Jute; Tea: From Garden to House & Moss Garden (CSIR-NBRI)