Page 7 - Annual Report 2019-20

in a short period of time. The organization thus plans to convert this initiative into India’s first science & technology news agency on the lines of other news syndicate services like PTI, UNI, ANI etc.
On the radio programmes, we were able to successfully complete yet another radio series called Whispers of the Wind or Badalti Fizayein. Focused on issues of climate change, this programme was simultaneously relayed in 18 different languages from several radio stations of Akashvani.
Besides, we continued to work on enhancing the number of Vigyan Prasar Network Clubs called VIPNET clubs and our astronomy- related efforts. The December 26th, 2019 annular solar eclipse coverage, through social media channels went well. On the publications side, numbers of books published and launched continued to be in line as per the planned schedule. Dream 2047, our monthly newsletter with design and content changes continued to be published and distributed in time throughout the year. Train-the-trainer-related efforts to popularise science & technology through training, workshops and activity camps in specific target groups especially with Scheduled Tribes continued throughout the year. Exhibition and event management in the domain of science communication, popularization and extension continued as well. Celebration of important science & technology-related days like the National Science Day, National Technology Day, National Mathematics Day, and many more were
other noticeable milestones achieved during the year.
It was in the last quarter of the year that the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic culminated into a new normal for the way Vigyan Prasar carried out its outreach activities. Publication of daily and weekly bulletins/newsletters through print and electronic hogged the limelight. Vigyan Prasar too was quick to respond. Initially daily and then weekly newsletters on COVID-19 started to roll out describing S&T efforts being made in the country.
While I write, we continue to evolve new methods of science & technology mass communication and popularization, predominantly dependent on web-based link methods. How much would all this continue on the picture that all of us are anxiously waiting for – life on the other side of the pandemic.
On the whole, it’s been quite a year where new milestones were covered in the journey of Vigyan Prasar so far. Thus, it’s my moral responsibility to acknowledge and appreciate the contribution of each and everyone who worked relentlessly hard. My heartfelt thanks to all the scientists and staff of the organization.
Thanks very much.
Dr Nakul Parashar Director Vigyan Prasar
VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
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