Page 112 - CTB-1 10 May

112 PIONEERING A NEW FUTURE
VP publications: Vigyan Katha, Dream 2047, Vigyan Ratnakar, Kutuhali, Ariviyal Palagai
is to highlight the successes and progress in science and technology in India, as well as to highlight research activities in Indian labs/ research institutions to the media for public consumption. At present, the news service is being distributed to about 500 media outlets – digital and print – on a daily basis. These news features are further disseminated by news media platforms.
SCoPE in Digital and Social Media: VP
website is highly dynamic and highlights
different programmes and activities of the organization. At the same time, all of VP’s publications are available for sale or are free
to download through its digital library. VP’s
strong following on all social mediums is a proof of its work in popularizing science. Vigyan Prasar’s Youtube presence garners a lot of views, while its Facebook page and Twitter account get tremendous traction and engagement from science enthusiasts.
SCoPE through Film Festivals: Films have been one of the most important tools of science communication, which is being explored and promoted by VP for the past two decades. Various events, outreach activities, workshops and film festivals are also organized to highlight the importance of film-making for science communication and to enhance the capacities of both professionals and amateurs.
VP’s flagship events − International Science Film Festival of India (ISFFI) and National Science Film Festival of India (NSFFI) − attract talented young
filmmakers and science enthusiasts. Eminent filmmakers including Shyam Benegal, Amol Palekar, Amitabh Bachchan, Shekhar Kapur, Girish Kasaravalli, Madhur Bhandarkar, Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, Mike Pandey, MS Sathyu, Vikram Gokhale, and Kiran Karnik have been associated as mentors or jury chairs with ISFFI and NSFFI.
SCoPE through Radio: Promoting science and technology through the radio has been one of the flagship programmes of Vigyan Prasar since 2008. Since 2018, VP has produced programmes in 19 languages and broadcast from more than 117 stations of All India Radio (AIR). Mega science serials are
being produced and broadcast from AIR as part of a MoU between Vigyan Prasar and Prasar Bharati.
Amateur Radio Station: Vigyan Prasar provides technical support and fulfils the information needs of students and amateurs engaged in communication using the amateur radio or ham radio. As the ham radio systems are resilient
and can be used sustainably even in adverse circumstances, Vigyan Prasar’s ham radio station assists other ham radio stations operating from the disaster-affected areas. For example, during the Uttarakhand disaster, the VP ham radio station had provided major support to the region.
SCoPE through Network Clubs: Inculcating science communication/popularization activities through a network of science clubs (VIPNET) in schools is one
L-R: One-day training workshop for science communicators being conducted on Zero Shadow Day
Experts responding to listeners’ queries during a radio session
Science film-making workshop being conducted
Meeting in progress at VP’s Noida office
Film Director Madhur Bhandarkar during the award ceremony at the 7th NSFFI held in Kolkata