New Delhi, Dec 29: Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, today released the latest issue of a popular science monthly magazine in Urdu published by Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in association with the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) and the Kashmir University (KU).
The periodical ‘Tajassus’ (means curiosity in Urdu) is a part of VigyanPrasar’sSCoPE(Science Communication, Popularisation and Extension)-in-Indian languages programme. The aim of the initiative is to make a big push to communicate the latest developments in science and technology in Indian languages.
Noting that the launch of the periodical is not an isolated affair and had to be seen from a more significant perspective, Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out that Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi always wanted the country to keep looking forward and make it great again. “Various programmes such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India move India from a developing country towards a developed one. His vision of sab ka sath; sab ka Vikas can be only realised when we have an idea and associated Tajassus”, he said.
He stressed the need to communicate modern science and technology in all the Indian languages since learning becomes deeper when one studies in the mother tongue. “Recently interacting with the heads of centrally funded technical institutions through videoconference, the PM emphasised translating global research journals into Indian languages and digitising higher education. His vision is to develop an ecosystem of technological education in Indian languages,” said Dr Singh.
Complementing Vigyan Prasar and the Central University of Kashmir for creating a platform for producing science literature for the public in Urdu, DrJitendrasingh said that aside from other Indian languages, science popularisation, communication and extension publications in Kashmiri and Dogri would soon commence.
Dr S Chandrasekar Secretary DST, DrShekhar C Mande, DG CSIR, Dr Farooq Ahmad Shah, Incharge Vice-chancellor, CUK, Dr Nakul Parashar, Director, Vigyan Prasar, addressed the release function. The Minister also released the latest issues of VigyanPrasar’spopular science monthly ‘Dream 2047’ published in Hindi and English.
SCoPE has been taken up by Vigyan Prasar to ensure quick and effective implementation of Science Communication &Popularisation at all levels of society. The project has achieved numerous milestones in a brief period. From the publication of popular science books to harnessing social media to capture the imagination of youth; from producing television programmes to the latest science news, the initiative has unleashed science communication, popularization, and extension in different Indian languages, in the past two years.
Sensitising and training media people towards science communication helps position science news and popular science in the mainstream media. With this aim, Vigyan Prasar also conducts capacity building programmes for media & journalism students, working journalists, and media personalities on communicating science to the public. (India Science Wire)
