Page 2 - VIPNET CURIOSITY June 2021

EDITOR IN CHIEF:
Nakul Parashar
EDITOR:
Arvind C. Ranade
PRODUCTION:
Bipro Kumar Sen
EDITORIAL:
Sumita Mukherjee
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Cover Design & Illustrations By: Bipro Kumar Sen
2
Arvind C. Ranade
EDITORIAL
Amrut Mahotsav:
75 years of Independenc
n 15 August 2021, India will
be celebrating its 75th year of Independence. This is the most opportune moment to take a
stock of our achievement in the last 75 years; especially in terms of economy, agriculture, industry, trading, import and exports, health, etc. You may be wonder- ing why I have not mentioned science and technology! However, we must not forget that no sector has ever progressed and will progress without the use of Science and Technology. Science is at the forefront of the nation building, and in last few decades we have extensively used new develop- ments like automated machines, computers and information technology. The upcoming tools like machine learning, artificial intelli- gence, Internet of Things, cloud computing etc. are going to dominate the world.
In such a progressive India, let us explore how we achieved our independence and the most relevant aspects of the 75 years of our journey. The colonial leaders purposefully ignored and ruined India’s traditional knowledge and practices. It is essential to ponder and acknowledge and respect the knowledge and wisdom we had and restore them. Have we ever acknowl- edged the contributions of our scientists, science reformers, philanthropists and educationists who worked in pre-independ- ent India relentlessly to generate the spark in young minds? They taught us to stand up against the demeaning views, beliefs, and attitude of the rulers towards India’s age- old scientific knowledge and wisdom.
Vigyan Prasar and Vijnana Bharati, a science movement led by eminent scientists
of India, now have joined hands to gener- ate various resources in the form of books, booklets, posters, exhibits, short films, ra- dio program etc. to let the new generation know about the untold facets of India’s Independence struggle. It will be a part
of the celebration for 75 years of India’s Independence as Amrut Mahotsav. It will start from 15 August 2021 and continue
till 15 August 2022. During this period all the material generated will be taken to the nuke and corner of the country. The associ- ation begun with the Saturday Lecture Series on the theme of ‘India’s Independ- ence and Science’ on 29 May 2021 and the Series will continue till 14 August 2021. The takeaway of these lectures will be circulated in the form of booklets.
For dissemination and reach of the con- tent thus generated, we would like to invite every member of our VIPNET network!
We want you all to put your best efforts to reach the young minds around you. The club coordinators will have to make strate- gic planning to take the message of science to everyone and kindle the sense of glory and pride in the young minds on India’s traditional repository of wisdom and make the Mahotsav a great success.
Since the pandemic is still not over, please take care of yourself before reaching out to people around you. We wish you a safe and secure time ahead.
Dr. Arvind C Ranade is Scientist ‘F’ and National Co-ordinator of Vigyan Prasar Network of Science Clubs. Email: rac@vigyanprasar.gov.in
June 2021