Release of the Special issue of ‘Vigyan Pragati’ 

As a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi, organised a function for the release of the special issue of “Vigyan Pragati”, the monthly Hindi popular science magazine published by CSIR-NIScPR,  on 23 August 2022. 

The year 2022 marks the 70 years legacy of ‘Vigyan Pragati’, spreading science among the public. The very first issue of the magazine was published in August 1952.  Now, the August 2022 special issue of ‘Vigyan Pragati’ focuses on India’s leading organisations engaged in science popularisation, covering government and voluntary organisations.

Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, warmly welcomed the Chief Guest Dr Shekhar C. Mande, former Secretary, DSIR & former Director General of CSIR and the Guest of Honour Dr Sharmila Mande, Chief Scientist, TCS Research & Innovation. In her address, she described the rich legacy of ‘Vigyan Pragati’ and CSIR-NIScPR’s contributions towards science popularisation. She further added that India has been practising science since ancient times and has a rich scientific legacy and traditional knowledge. She also mentioned Acharya P.C. Ray who played an important role in science popularisation in the nineteenth century. 

Guest of Honour Dr Sharmila Mande highlighting the role of science communication in regional languages said that by doing so, innovations in the field of Science and Technology can reach out to a larger population of the society. Chief Guest Dr Shekhar C. Mande, emphasised the role of science and scientific temper in the progress of the nation. He was concerned about the general perception of people towards science, despite having a rich scientific history. Dr Mande mentioned that there still is a gap between the scientific community and society anda scientific project is not finished until it's communicated. 

Further, he stressed on the historical achievements of CSIR institutions for the betterment of society. He also said that there have always been tough times for science whether it was the colonial period or the challenging time of the COVID pandemic or any natural disaster, but CSIR never stepped back from its responsibility. One may not know about the contributions of CSIR but unknowingly CSIR is part of everyone’s daily life.

Recalling the contribution of ‘Vigyan Pragati’ in the last 70 years, he said that the magazine and its popular science content should reach aggressively to the common people. This will decide the fate of the nation in the upcoming 25 years when India completes 100 years of Independence.

Proposing the vote of thanks, Dr Manish Mohan Gore, Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, and Editor, Vigyan Pragati, briefed about the special issue and informed that the special issue includes public-funded institutions as well as voluntary organisations working for science popularisation across the country. He also said that some of the organisations felt the importance of science popularisation even before independence and started working on taking science to the common people. He assured that ‘Vigyan Pragati’ will work toward penetrating deep into the society so that science can be reached to a larger audience in the country.