New Delhi : Around 300 delegates including science communicators, scientists, researchers, science fiction writers, science enthusiasts and students participated in the science communication congress on the theme ‘Communicating India’s Scientific Wisdom: Changing Paradigms” held on 21-22 December at Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
The 17th edition of the Indian Science Communication Congress was ointly organized by CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (CSIR-NISCAIR), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Indian Science Writers’ Association (ISWA), VigyanBharati (ViBHA), Society for Information Science (SIS) and Indian Science Communication Society (ISCOS).
Coverage of science in the media is dismal and has been declining over the years, said Dr. Narender K Sehgal, the noted science communicator and UNESCO Kalinga Prize Winner who chaired the inaugural session of the 17th Indian Science Communication Congress in New Delhi. Prof. K. G. Suresh, Director-General, Indian Institute of Mass Communication delivered the keynote address. He said that to reach the masses, scientists have to be communicators as well. Welcoming the gathering Dr. Manoj Kumar Patairiya, Director, CSIR-NISCAIR said that the Indian Science Communication Congress has over the years emerged as a platform for brainstorming and engaging in discussions on various facets of science communication. R. S. Sangwan, Director, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) was the chief guest.
The various sessions discussed on the emerging worldview on India’s scientific wisdom, science communication, health communication, agriculture communication, and environment and risk communication.
The scientainmentprogramme that included magic and puppet shows in the evenings on both the days saw the delegates and the general audience enjoying and understanding some scientific concepts.
A round table discussion on ‘India’s scientific wisdom: communication strategies’ had many experts including Prof. KrishanLal, Dr. C.M. Nautial, Mr. RajkumarBhardwaj and many other noted science communicators brainstorming on various communication strategies for spreading India’s scientific wisdom. The two-days event concluded with Dr. ManojPatairiya, Director, CSIR-NISCAIR summing-up the two days event.
