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Science Popularization

CSIR-NISCAIR Triennial Report 2010-13 15

PO P U L A R I Z A T I O N o f s c i e n c e , inculcation of scientific temper and

dissemination of scientific information to the masses in a language they can easily understand is an important mandate of CSIR. This mandate is being fulfilled by CSIR-NISCAIR, which realizes that the rapid pace of progress today makes it imperative to equip citizens with information in a manner that helps them comprehend the scientific developments around them.

CSIR-NISCAIR takes science to the people through its three well known popular science magazines: Science Reporter (English monthly), Vigyan Pragati (Hindi monthly) and Science-ki-Duniya (Urdu quarterly). The magazines find wide circulation throughout the country. Riding on their high quality of content, exquisite pro-duction quality, and timeliness the magazines have today become the largest selling popular science magazines in the country.

With their wide coverage of scientific issues, latest scientific updates and by providing a very good opportunity for young and budding science writers to display their writing talent, the magazines are playing a very important

Popularizing Science, Inculcating Scientific Temper

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Popularizing Popularizing Science, Science, Inculcating Inculcating

role for the country by disseminating scientific information to the country’s citizens, inculcat-ing scientific temper and attracting students towards science.

Under i t s Sc ience Popular iza t ion Programme, CSIR-NISCAIR has also brought out a large number of popular science books, which remain much in demand years after their publication.

The institute also publishes the Council’s R&D newsletters, viz. CSIR News and CSIR Samachar, which serve as purveyor of news regarding activities and accomplishments of CSIR.

CSIR-NISCAIR has recently forayed into the world of multimedia and cyberspace in an effort to take science to the masses with the establishment of the Science Communication through Multimedia Division.

SCIENCE REPORTERLaunched in 1964, Science Reporter entered into its 50th year of publication in 2013. During 2010-2013, it continued with its objective of providing to its readers topical coverage of

16 CSIR-NISCAIR Triennial Report 2010-13

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 period 2010-2013 are Water scarcity, Combating hunger, 350 Years of Royal Society, Fusion, 50 Years of Laser, 50 years of the first man in space, Indian science through the ages, 100 Years of ICMR, Insight into Kudamkulam, Unsung heroes in science, 225 Years of Indian Botanic

1.International Year of Biodiversity (May 2010): Articles on biodiversity conservation, protecting wild varieties, frozen zoos, wetland conservation, restoration ecology.

2. Environment (June 2010): Articles on killing fields of Alang, plastic waste, volcanic ash, green computing, eroding beaches.

3. Global warming (September 2010): Articles on mechanics of global warming, rising seas, methane emissions.

4. Science of sports (October 2010): Technology in sports,sports nutrition, doping in sports, sports exercises.

5. Nanotechnology (February 2011): Promise of nanotechnology, nanomedicine, nanotechnology and energy crisis, nanotechnology in defence.

1. International Year of Chemistry (April 2011): Interview with Prof. C.N.R. Rao, chemistry in daily life, Green Chemistry, discovery of oxygen, materials of the future, fun with chemistry.

2. Nuclear disaster (May 2011): Fukushima disaster, interviews with Dr. R. Bhattacharya, Secretary, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and Dr. Baldev Raj, Director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, radiation alert.

3. International Year of Forests (June 2011): Preserving forest biodiversity, urban forests, bamboo craft, saving screwpines.

4. Women in science (January 2012): Women in space, female science stars, women science communicators, interview with Dr. Geeta Bali, President-99th ISC.

2012 - 2013

1. International Year of Mathematics (April 2012):Indo-Arabic numerals, powerful zero, maths in art, world of mathematicians, Ramanujan, Turing.

2. Higgs boson (November 2012): Search for Higgs boson, India’s CERN connection, India in ALICE.

3. Wildlife (January 2013): Importance of zoos, interview with Dr. Asad Rahmani, Director-BNHS, wildlife conservation, Kawar lake sanctuary under threat, disappearing wild species.

2011 - 2012

Garden, Search for the Higgs boson, CSIR@70, 100 Years of X-ray diffraction, etc.

Special IssuesTo provide an added focus on certain topics of national concern, special issues of the magazine were brought out from time to time:

2010 - 2011

Special issues of Science Reporter



Interactive Columns To enhance its appeal and attract more readers, Science Reporter lays great stress on keeping the contents dynamic by introducing new columns from time to time, such as:

1. Puzzle Corner, attracts mass appeal judging by hundreds of entries received every month in response to the prize puzzle. The winners of the prize puzzle are finalized after a draw of lots from among the huge numbers of correct entries received every month.

2. Point Counterpoint, featuring a debate on issues of concern every month, has been attracting wide participation. Some of the issues dealt with during 2010-2013 included: Politics and crime are given more coverage in the media than science; Keeping animals in zoos is unethical; Sports should be made compulsory in schools; A dedicated science channel is necessary to disseminate authentic scientific information and create scientific temper; Mining is necessary for development, people owning such mining-rich lands should be relocated; Science has perverted the fundamental basis of human relations. With the advent of inventions such as the Internet, television and computer games, we are now communing with a lifeless collection of microchips, not each other; Can science & technology help tackle corruption?; Is it morally acceptable to experiment on animals to develop products and medicines that benefit human beings; All politicians need to be scientifically aware, etc.

3. What’s New: This column features new gadgets, inventions, innovations, software, etc.

4. Indian Scientists: Featuring brief articles on the life and times of Indian scientists.

5. Ingenious Inventions: Featuring innovations and inventions that have marked the progress of science over the years.

6. Safe Haven: Featuring forest reserves, national parks and sanctuaries in India.

Science Fiction and Science Cartoon CompetitionsTo involve the readers more closely and also to inculcate the habit of thinking scientifically, especially among the younger readers, Science Reporter initiated the Science Fiction and Science Cartoon competitions during the year 2008. These competitions have become annual events and are attracting widespread participation of readers from all walks of life.

VIGYAN PRAGATI Launched in 1952, Vigyan Pragati has entered the 59th year of its publication in 2010. Vigyan Pragati endeavours to familiarise its readers with important current events/issues in the field of science in an easy-to-understand manner. The keen interest of the readers is well evident by their feedback through the incessant inflow of letters.

Articles from e x p e r t s w e r e p u b l i s h e d o n s e v e r a l t o p i c a l issues to apprise readers of the latest developments. Some of the important topics covered during the period 2010-2103 are Sunspots, Global warming, Large Hadron Collider, Organic farming, 40 years of ISRO, Water on moon, Wildlife conservation, etc.


Articles published on CSIR Laboratories in Vigyan Pragati2010-20111. Attractive Plants and Pollution Control; Moss

House & Moss Garden (CSIR-NBRI)2. Aesculus indica; Ginkgo biloba; Carnation;

Ferns; Gerbera (CSIR-IHBT)3. Kangaroo; Armadillo; Herbarium & Museum

(CSIR-NISCAIR)4. Wikipedia (CSIR-NISTADS)5. CSIR Technofest - 2010 (CSIR)6. Highlighting Central Electronics Engineering

Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI)7. Science Poetry (CSIR-ITRC)

2011-20121. Natika & Science Poem (CSIR-ITRC)2. Beautiful Gerbera; Algal Biomass; Ornamental Plants: Campferia (CSIR-NBRI) 3. Flowers: CSIR’s contribution to Lahul; Seabuckthorn; Potentila fulgens;

2012 - 20132011 - 2012 2010 - 20111. World Health Day (April 2011)

2. International Year of Biodiversity (May 2011)

3. World Environment Day (June 2011)

4. Space Technology (July 2011)

5. Biotechnology (August 2011)

6. Articles of CSIR Scientists (September 2011)

7. World Food Day (October 2011)

8. Medical Sciences (November 2011)

9. Nobel Prizes (December 2011)

10. Latest Information (January 2012)

11. National Science Day (February 2012)

12.ScientificConferences (March 2012)

1. World Health Day (April 2010)

2. Space Sciences (May 2010)


4. International Year of Biodiversity (July 2010)

5. DistinguishedScientific Personalities (August 2010)

6. Biotechnology (September 2010)

7. World Animal Day (October 2010)

8. Children’s Day (November 2010)

9. Trains (December 2010)

10. National Science Day (February 2011)

11. International Year of Chemistry (March 2011)

1. World Health Day (April 2012)

2. Nuclear Disasters (May 2012)


4. From Earth to Sky (July 2012)

5. Highly Useful Plants (August 2012)

6. 60 Years of CSIR-NISCAIR (September 2012)

7. World Food Day (October 2012)

8. Children’s Day (November 2012)

9. Ladakh (December 2012)

10. Nobel Prizes (January 2013)

11. Fossils (February 2013)

12. Means of Transport (March 2013)

Special issues of Vigyan Pragati magazine on thematic topics as given below:

Deamask Rose; Bamboo Museum (CSIR- IHBT)4. Flowers for Employment (CSIR-CIMAP)5. Headup Display; Jute; Tea: From Garden to the Cup (CSIR-CSIO) 6. Our Brain & Ailments based on Life-style; Wild animals and their sustainability (CSIR-CCMB)7. Seahorse (CSIR-NIO) 8. Iguti & Kiwi (CSIR-NISCAIR)

2012-20131. Bamboo and its uses; Apple Pomace and its Uses; Saffron and its Uses; Calla Lily and its Uses (CSIR-IHBT)2. Scientific Poem “Infection of Hybridization” (CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow)3. Management: The Wealth of Future (CSIR- NISTADS) 4. Green Chemistry; Horticulture: Ornamental & Unique Trees (CSIR-NBRI)



The newslet ters are intended to serve as a useful link among t h e v a r i o u s C S I R establishments. They a lso showcase the achievements of CSIR laboratories to other R&D organizations, u n i v e r s i t i e s , S & T agencies/departments, industry, mass media, a n d a l s o f o r e i g n agencies.

CSIR News and C S I R S a m a c h a r p u b l i s h n e w s pertaining to R&D accomplishments , t e c h n o l o g y transfers, marketing, commercialization/utilization, sponsorships, collaborations, IPR, etc. Also covered are abstracts of high impact factor papers published by CSIR scientists in journals, new facilities, important conferences/seminars/workshops/training programmes, various MoUs signed, important events such as Foundation Day and Technology Day celebrations, lectures, appointment of Directors, announcements regarding forthcoming events, etc.

From the January 2013 issue onwards, CSIR News and CSIR Samachar have been given a new professional look in line with CSIR’s corporate ambitions. Efforts are also being made to improve the contents of the newsletter through interaction with nodal officers of labs.

Full text of CSIR News and CSIR Samachar are hosted on the NISCAIR website (www.niscair.res.in) with link to CSIR website (www.csir.res.in).

SCIENCE-KI-DUNIYAScience-ki-Duniya, the quarterly popular science journal in Urdu, is among the most widely read Urdu popular science magazines in the country. Entering into the 39th year of publication in 2013, it continued to disseminate information on current scientific topics in an easy-to-understand and attractive manner.

Some of the major articles published during the period 2013-2014 include Hayatyati Taknique (Bio-technology), Haldi bimariyon ke ilaj ke liye mufeed nuskha, Kia Sayyara Sagheer dehsatgard hai?, Zamin ke Asrar (Earth Science), Plutonium 238 Khalai Safar keliye Twanai ka munbah, Nabatat main paye janewale maadniyat, Khala main doosri zamin ki talash, Parindon ki pehchan aur mahulyati tawazun main unka role, Zalzala aur Tsunami. Almi Mahereen arziyat keliye lamha-e-fikar, Engineer Shamsuddin ka Zalzale ke tadaruk, Sayyarah Mirrikh ki janib Hindustan ke badhte Kadam, Dr. Salim Ali Ek Azeem Sciencedan.

CSIR NEWS & CSIR SAMACHARCSIR-NISCAIR brings out two newsletters that showcase the achievements and events taking place in CSIR laboratories. While CSIR News (English) was launched in 1951 and is now running into its 63rd year of publication, the CSIR Samachar (Hindi) was launched in 1984 and is now into its 26th year of publication.


SCIENCE COMMUNICATION THROUGH MULTIMEDIANISCAIR has contributed enormously in spreading scientific literature - mostly through the print media - targeting the research community by way of academic journals and informing the masses through its popular science magazines. In keeping with global trends, CSIR-NISCAIR enlarged its mandate to the electronic and visual media by initiating the Science Communication through Multimedia (SCM) programme in October 2010.

Broadly, the Science Communication through Multimedia (SCM) programme has three inter-related components:

Research and documentation: Carry out research in the area of Scientific Temper, Public Understanding of Science, development of communication models, probing the shifts of conceptual models, indicators and tools for measuring public understanding of science and scientific temper and administering survey studies.

Multimedia content: Collate existing audio-visual material and generate fresh content using multimedia, including films and web-based applications, and make them accessible to the public at large.

Interaction: Interact with common citizens, scholars, experts and institutions on issues of science and science communication.

During the period October 2010 to March 2013, CSIR-NISCAIR’s Science Communication through Multimedia (SCM) programme has achieved the following milestones:

National/International conference/workshop organised1. One day International Workshop on the

media and science channel, represented by delegates from USA, UK, South Africa, Australia, and India, 5 December 2010.

2. National Workshop on Scientific Temper: Revisiting Nehruvian Agenda, at IHBT, Palampur, 15-17 June 2011.

3. International Conference on Science Communication for Scientific Temper, New Delhi, 10-12 January 2012.

4. One day National Workshop on Scientific Temper among Minorities in India, organised at NISCAIR, on 25 May 2012.

Books Published 1. Construct ing Culture of Science :

Communication of Science in India and China, Gauhar Raza, Ren Fujun, Hasan



Jawaid Khan and He Wei (edited), CSIR-NISCAIR Publication, 2011.

2. QuestforScientificTemper, Hasan Jawaid Khan, Gauhar Raza, Surjit Singh (edited), CSIR-NISCAIR Publication, 2012.

3. Vaiganik Drisktikon: Ek Nai Pahal (Hindi), Surjit Singh, Deeksha Bist, Gauhar Raza, Subodh Mahanti (edited), CSIR-NISCAIR Publication, 2012.

Audio-visual Programmes1. Indian Science Congress, SRM Chennai 2011

2. Children Science Congress, Chennai, 2011

3. Programmes on International Conference on Science Communication for Scientific Temper, 2011

4. CSIR-NPL in the Service of the Nation, 2012

5. Posters on Scientific Temper, printed and circulated across, colleges, schools and Government Departments.

Research StudySurvey on Public Understanding of Science was carried out at Kumbh Mela, Allahabad, in February 2013. The project was financially supported by National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC, DST), New Delhi.

CSIR-NISCAIR Tube The CSIR-NISCAIR Tube was launched in August 2011. It has been launched as a platform to collate science films produced by CSIR labs. Efforts are also being made to upload scientific audio-visual material being produced in the

country by other departments, organizations, institutes and individuals.

The CSIR-NISCAIR Tube also provides opportunity to scientists to upload their power-point presentations as well. The multimedia content generated as part of CSIR-NISCAIR’s Science Communication through Multimedia (SCM) programme is also uploaded on the CSIR-NISCAIR-Tube.

JournalIn keeping with CSIR-NISCAIR’s mandate of science communication and promotion of scientific temper, the quarterly Journal of Scientific Temper has been init iated for publication of scholarly debate. It publishes research papers, opinion articles, book reviews and conference reports on scientific temper, science communication, public understanding of science, and social dimensions of science. The first issue of the journal was released on 28 February 2013.

Journal of Scientific Temper has been init iated for publication of scholarly debate. It publishes research papers, opinion articles, book reviews and

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