CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi, organised yet another successful edition of “Vigyanika–ScienceLiterature Festival” at the 8th India International Science Festival (IISF) inBhopal. CSIR-NIScPRorganised the earlier editions of “Vigyanika” duringthe IISF events at Chennai, Lucknow, Kolkata, New Delhi and Goa.

As a part of the 8thIISF, the “Vigyanika — Science Literature Festival” wasorganised at the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, during 22-23 January 2023. “Vigyanika” provided a forum to deliberate on mechanisms to take science to every corner of the country through effective science literature, disseminated through the multitudes of media channels available today. The sessions during “Vigyanika” also deliberated on challenges to science communication and mechanisms to encourage new initiatives in taking science to the public.

As in its earlier editions, this year too “Vigyanika” offered a rich fare of Keynote Lectures, Panel Discussions and Scientific Sessions interspersed with interactions with S&T authors, VigyanKaviSammelan, Science Drama, Science Puppetry and exciting competitions. The event was attended by around 300 experts and delegates comprising science communicators, academics, researchers, scientists, students, etc.

“Vigyanika” was inaugurated by the Director General of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Dr N Kalaiselvi who appreciated that CSIR-NIScPR had successfully organised five earlier editions of Vigyanika as part of IISF. Dr Kalaiselvi said that science communication connects science with society. She emphasised that the use of regional languages in communicating scientific concepts was critical to empowering the citizens of the country. Regional language communication adds a local flavour and context to the communication making it more palatable and more connected to audiences, she said. Dr Kalaiselvi also appreciated that as part of “Vigyanika” innovative forms of communication would also be displayed such as science drama, science puppetry and mentalism show.

During his Keynote Lecture, DrShekhar C. Mande, President, VijnanaBharati& former Director General, CSIRspokeon the need to pursue disruptive science to find innovative solutions. He cited several instances where CSIR scientists had come up with innovative solutions that eventually yielded great dividends for the country. He narrated how multinational companies refused to set up base in India for the production of milk powder because they possessed technology to produce milk powder from cow milk and India had an abundance of buffalo milk. Eventually, through an innovative solution, scientists of CSIR-Central Food TechnologicalResearch Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru, developed technology to produce milk powder from buffalo milk, thus ushering in a revolution in milk production in the country. Giving several such examples, Dr ShekharMande emphasised that the country needed disruptive solutions to the problems in various sectors.

The Guest of Honour Prof. Sanjay Tiwari, Vice Chancellor, Bhoj Open University, Bhopal, apart from his message on the significance of science communication also appreciated CSIR-NIScPR's popular science magazines. 

The Vigyanika Theme Book, a collection of science poems (Samakaleen Hindi Vigyan Kavita Sanchayan) and science books in Kannada published by Vigyan Prasarwere released by the dignitaries.

Earlier, during his welcome address, Shri HasanJawaid Khan, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR elaborated on the scheduled sessions during “Vigyanika”. Dr Manish Mohan Gore, Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR delivered the vote of thanks and MsShubhadaKapil, Associate Editor, Vigyan Pragati moderated the inaugural session.

“Vigyanika”hadtwo-panel discussions. The first discussion was focused on the importance of regional science communication, its status, challenges and scope. Regional science communicators in Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Urdu& Hindi were the panellists. The session was moderated by Dr TV Venkateswaran, Scientist,VigyanPrasar.The second panel discussion featured science authors discussing the key points of their science books, and the scope and challenges in creating scientific literature.The session was moderated by Shri PallavaBagla, science communicator and science photo journalist.

“Vigyanika” also featured two scientific sessions in which 17 papers on science communication research & new initiatives were presented. While the first session was chaired by Prof. Sunil Kumar Gupta, Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi ProudyogikiVishwavidyalaya, Bhopal and co-chaired by DrSaket Singh Kaurav, Head, Regional Science Centre, Bhopal; the second session was chaired byShriPrabal Roy, Head, Centre for Science Communication, Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopalandco-chaired byDr J.P. Shukla, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal & Dr Apoorva Pauranik, Neurosurgeon & science communicator, Indore.

A special and exciting parallel session was organised for school children in whichabout 100 students from Bhopal Public School participated. The children were treated to a Mentalism show and a Science Puppetry show.A drawing competition on the theme “India@100 —MyCountry, My Vision”was also organised for the students.

The evening session on the first day featured a science drama “Galileo”, which played to a packed audience.The drama, staged by the Shadow Cultural and Social Welfare Society, Bhopaldepicted the life and struggle of the Italian astronomer Galileo giving the message that scientific awareness is essential for the development of society.

“Vigyanika” also featured a Vigyan Kavi Sammelan Chaired by Dr Santosh Chaubey, Chancellor, Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal and Co-chaired by Shri Neelesh Malviya, TV actor & poet and featured well-known poets delivering science messages through their poems before the audience.

The Valedictory Session was chaired by Dr Santosh Chaubey, Chancellor, Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal with Guests of Honour Prof. KG Suresh, Vice Chancellor, Makhanlal Chaturvedi University of Journalism, Bhopal and Dr CM Nautiyal, Program Consultant, Science Communication, Indian National Science Academy (INSA).Dr Santosh Chaubey said that there is a need for human sentiments, scientific thinking and temperament even among science communicators. Prof. K.G. Suresh pointed out the challenges present before humanity like cancer & climate change and stressed the adoption of science communication and rational thinking by the common citizens to resolve these challenges.

During the Valedictory session, a special lecture was also delivered by Prof. BS Balaji, Associate Professor, School of Biotechnology, JNU on ‘Educational Tools for the Divyang — Promise of a New Beginning’.

Shri HasanJawaid Khan, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR welcomed the guests and Dr Manish Mohan Gore, Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, delivered the key points discussed during “Vigyanika”. MsShwetaSrivastri conducted the programme.

While all the sessions of “Vigyanika” recorded appreciable attendance, the event was also widely covered in the press and Doordarshan.

CSIR-NIScPR also showcased its popular science magazines, books and journals in the Mega Science Expo pavilion at IISF Bhopal. Thousands of science lovers visited this stall of CSIR-NIScPR.