IISF 2023 presents Vigyanika, the science literature festival

Newdelhi:14/1/23:The India International Science Festival, IISF 2023 presents Vigyanika- science literature festival with the primary objective of showcasing India’s scientific prowess and charting a comprehensive roadmap for effective communication of S&T achievements. The event is going to be held at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) – Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) campus, Faridabad, Haryana, on 18^thand 19^th January, 2024. CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF), and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) are the coordinating organisations.

The planned sessions on 18^th January 2024 include a scientific session on the theme “Science and Technology Public Outreach in India.” Prof B N Jagatap, Senior Professor, IIT Bombay will chair the session. The experts include Dr. Dinakar M. Salunke, Former Director, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Prof KC Bansal, Former Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR); and Prof (Dr) Uma Kumar, All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi.

A panel discussion will take place on the theme “Apni Bhasha Apna Vigyan: Strengthening Sci Comm in Indian Languages.” Shri Chamu Krishna Shastry, Padma Shri, Chairman- Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti will chair the session. Science communicators in Hindi, Punjabi, Manipuri, Tamil, Assamese, and Malayalam will share their thoughts.

A workshop on popular science writing is also planned which will be conducted by Shri Hasan Jawaid Khan, Former chief scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, and Dr HS Sudhira, a leading science communicator. A scientific session with the theme “Science Communication in India: Current Trends, Opportunities and Challenges” has been planned where selected participants will present their papers. Dr PK Joshi from Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) will chair the session.

Next in line is the cultural programme with a confluence of arts and science. This will include a science drama.

The first session on Day 2 (19^th January 2024) is a panel discussion on the theme “Creative Science Communication through Films, Podcasts & Social Media – Amplifying the Reach.” A drawing and quiz competition for school students is also planned.

The other panel discussion on the same day is on the theme “Challenges in Traditional Knowledge Research & Communication.” Prof Vasant Shinde, Former VC, Deccan College will chair the session. A Vigyan Kavi Sammelan is also planned which will be chaired by Dr Madhu Pant, Former Director, National Bal Bhawan.

A special session on “Science communication for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” followed by the valedictory session is planned for the evening.  Internationally-acclaimed author Mr. Marc Prensky and Dr Sharmila Binti Md. Salleh, Chief Executive Officer at Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) are expected to attend the session.

Dr Paramananda Barman & Dr Monika Jaggi from CSIR-NIScPR, Dr Nitin Maurya & Rahul Prakash from NIF and Dr Madhav Govind & Dr Neel Sarovar Bhavesh from Vibha are the coordinators of Vigyanika 2023.

The Science Media Communication Cell (SMCC) at CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research (NIScPR) is coordinating and facilitating the media publicity of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023. The key objective of the SMCC is to disseminate and showcase R&D breakthroughs and scientific achievements of India on various platforms of media.