Annual Report 2000-2001

Societal Programmes

National Council For Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC)

Science Communication & Popularisation

The National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), ever since its inception in 1982, has been engaged in science and technology communication / popularisation and inculcation of scientific temper among the people. The emphasis has been on development, adaptation, promotion and use of different communication methodologies. Various media, traditional and non-traditional, being utilised for the purpose, include print, audio/radio, video/TV and folk-forms like songs, dances, street-plays, puppetry etc. Major programmes undertaken during the year 2000-2001 are described below.

National Children's Science Congress (NCSC)- 2000:

This is a programme involving children in the age group of 10 - 17 years, from all over the country, to encourage them to i) relate learning of science to the environment around; ii) to know their immediate social and physical environment and iii) provide them a forum to interact with scientists to quench their thirst for curiosity and creativity. During the course of NCSC, children take up scientific projects related to local issues, work under the guidance of the teachers / science activists, and report their findings at school, block or district level Congresses. Selected projects are presented at state and national levels respectively. Children are given freedom to present and write their project reports using their mother tongue.

The theme for the National Children's Science Congress-2000, to be organised at Calcutta during December 27-31, 2000, would be "Indigenous Scientific Knowledge for a Better Tomorrow". The activity areas are: Agriculture and Food; Health and Hygiene; and Energy and Materials. The Brain Storming Session of invited experts from different areas was organised in Lucknow during February 19-21, 2000. The material prepared during this session was circulated amongst State Coordinators for their inputs and the Activity Guide was discussed for finalization in a three-day workshop organised in Calcutta during April 30 - May 2, 2000. Best three selected projects from each State would be presented during the school education session of the Indian Science Congress being organised at IARI Campus, New Delhi, during January 03-08, 2001.

As part of the Festival of Germany in India, 20 selected young researchers from Germany (age group 17-20 years) will participate in the national event of NCSC-2000. Twenty selected child scientists (age group 14-17 years) from NCSC 2000 will visit Germany in April, 2001.
For the first time, six regional workshops were organised by NCSTC to interact directly with the District Coordinators working at the grass root level. The basic idea was to improve the quality and enhance the number of NCSC projects at the grass root level and improve coordination among the District Coordinators, State Coordinators, Resource teachers and different groups of people involved in the NCSC, besides sensitising them to S&T popularisation in general. The workshops were held at Patna (20-21 June); Shillong (3-4 July); Bhopal (13-14 July); Kollam (24-25 July); Shimla (30-31 July); and Surat (4-5 August).

An Assessment group, set up to give recommendations on enhancing the reach of Children's Science Congress and improving the quality of projects taken up by children, has submitted its report. NCSTC secretariat has initiated appropriate steps on the suggestions made by them.

A 25 minute film on National Children's Science Congress in Hindi, entitled 'Nanhe Vigyani, Likhe nai Kahani' has been made by NCSTC. This film, which will help in publicity and better understanding of the program, is being dubbed in English as well.

Voluntary Blood Donation Project:

The basic aim of this project is to motivate people to donate blood voluntarily by disseminating the relevant scientific information and helping them overcome the unscientific beliefs associated with blood donation. Two training workshops to train motivators for promoting voluntary blood donation, were organised in Lucknow and Delhi respectively. Some 50 volunteers from blood banks, NGOs, Red Cross societies, Rotary and Lions Clubs, Govt. blood banks, etc. participated in each of the workshops. A 3-day national workshop on blood donor recruitment for the 21st century was organised by the Association of Voluntary Blood Donors, Calcutta, during January 23-25, 2000.

Quick studies on the status of blood donation were completed in Agra, Faridabad and Rohtak. The studies aim at understanding the gap between supply and demand of blood in these cities. Surveys were also carried out to study the factors inhibiting the voluntary blood donation and myths prevailing in society, on this issue. Surveys for Jammu & Srinagar are in the pipeline.
Rudhirnet, a computer software for blood bank management system, alongwith operating manual was ready and available either on a CD or a set of two floppies. The software has been made available to various blood banks in the country for actual field trials and providing feedback to enable its finalisation and marketing.

Awareness programme on voluntary blood donation was organised by the Voluntary Blood Donors' Association, New Delhi, at the Perfect Health Mela, Red Fort Grounds, New Delhi in October, 2000. Quiz programmes, film shows, blood group testing, etc. were organised during the programme

Science & Technology for the Visually Challenged

NCSTC has embarked upon a new programme "Science and Technology for the Visually Challenged" that may involve development of software like specially designed science kits/books in Braille on selected topics in S&T with tactile diagrams, talking books (audio cassettes), a science magazine in Braille/ audio cassette (talking magazine) and so on. A co-ordination meeting on development of S&T and Mathematics software for the visually challenged with the experts and representatives of Govt./Non-Govt./Voluntary Organisation/schools engaged in S&T education for the blind was organised at Technology Bhavan, New Delhi on July 7, 2000. Nearly 35 participants gave their valuable suggestions / recommendations during the co-ordination meeting. Accordingly, the activities suggested by NCSTC were modified and new ones added. Some organisations/ individual experts agreed to share the responsibilities for development of different aspects of software. The work-schedules, responsibilities and the budgetary requirements were worked out during the meeting. Following the suggestions and recommendations during the meeting, various activities have been / are being initiated.

Emergence of Modern Science

A new initiative in the form of a countrywide campaign jointly with Vigyan Prasar titled "Emergence of Modern Science" has been taken up marking the centenary of the golden decade 1895-1905 during which fundamental scientific discoveries and important technological developments took place. The campaign involves students / teachers / general community and is being organised in collaboration with State S&T Councils / Departments and voluntary organisations. Five Regional Master Resource Persons' training programmes were organised at Patna (August 07-08, 2000), Bangalore (August 11-12, 2000), Shillong (August 18-19,2000 and November 02-03,2000), and Gandhi Nagar (August 28-29,2000). Seven articles were brought out as resource material and distributed to the participants in the Master Resource Persons' training programmes. These articles would also be translated in local languages by the respective State S&T Councils/Departments. The salient features of the programme included lectures / demonstrations about the discoveries made during the decade 1895-1905 highlighting the scientific method and the lives of the scientists who made these discoveries. The topics discussed included X-rays, radioactivity, the discovery of the electron, Quantum theory, explanation of the photoelectric effect, relativity, beginnings of biochemistry, location of malaria parasites in the female anopheles mosquito, radio communication and the discovery of the ionosphere, and the technological advances like the first successful airplane, vacuum tubes, first electric locomotive, first practical photoelectric cell etc. The programmes in the States for resource persons, school / college students and the general public commenced during October / November, 2000.

Calendar for S&T Communication Activities

One of the objectives of preparing a year-long calendar of S&T communication activities for NCSTC is to identify organisations interested in science communication and help them take up activities in accordance with their areas of expertise. Such an exercise in the past had yielded rich dividends to NCSTC alongwith a significant increase in the S&T popularisation activities in the country. For the year 2000-2001, six regional workshops in collaboration with NGOs and State Councils were organised at Itanagar (28-29 June), Lucknow (10-11 July), Trivandrum (20-21 July), Chandigarh (24-25 July), Gandhinagar (1-2 August) and Calcutta (8-9 August). These meetings helped in enlarging the reach of NCSTC to people to whom we have not been able to reach so far and to consolidate, intensify and expand our science popularisation activities in all the other areas. The basic objective of this exercise is to better systematize many of NCSTC's continuing, but relatively routine and regular activities in all states/UTs

Field Programmes

• To attract, encourage and create interest among bright students to select research and teaching as careers in S&T, a programme has been formulated. Selected science students of class XI closely interact with an eminent scientist in a national laboratory or in the science department of a leading university. This opportunity of about 7 days is limited to a batch of 20-25 students drawn from the localities and adjacent districts. So far about 30 programmes have been organized - at RRL, Jorhat (5); BSIP Lucknow (2); Anna University, Chennai (4); Karnataka University, Dharwad (4); Bhopal (2); ARC, Hyderabad; Viswa Bharati, Shantiniketan; G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Almora; BHU, Varanasi; Punjab University; Chandigarh; Meerut University; Kumaun University, Nainital; P. G. College, Pithodagadh; Ooty and Cochin. Proposals are under consideration from Tezpur , Jodhpur and a few other places.
  
• Science & Technology play a major role in the development and progress of a nation. They help to grow and develop important sectors, namely, agriculture, housing, environment, defence, health, transport, industry, communication, and others. Understanding how these sectors are utilizing S&T as a tool for development can be an important activity for students. Looking into the importance of this, NCSTC has formulated a programme to expose young students to the exciting world of S&T; trigger an interest in S&T subjects and develop curiosity, creativity and urge for innovations in the field of S&T. This programme can be organized by the NGOs, Science Clubs and even an individual or a group of schools with a team of 35-40 students for 5-6 days. This programme has so far been organized for the students of Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Suri (W.B.), West Godavari (A.P), Gobardanga (W.B.), Mathura (U.P.), and Chennai. Proposals are under consideration from a few other places.
  
• A lecture / demonstration programme is being formulated to help pre-college level students experience the excitement of science. The programme is expected to encourage them to pursue higher studies and careers in basic sciences. Identification and development of communicator(s) / speaker(s), who can excite interest in science is the most important aspect of this programme. The speakers can be identified from their track records and based on feedback of selected people who might have heard them in the past. Till date, one programme for 30 lectures received from Institute of Education, Science and Technology for People, Dharwad, has been supported.
  
• May 11, 2000 was celebrated as National Technology Day (NTD) all over the country, The objective was to focus attention of the nation - students, teachers, engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs and others - on issues of technology. The theme selected this year for NTD was "Technology for Advancement of Science". Many engineering colleges, technical universities, polytechnics & professional societies in the states of Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Bihar, Kerala celebrated National Technology Day through activities like debates, quizzes, film shows, 'Open days', awards, technology exhibitions, and so on. Different activities either commenced on this day or culminated on this day.
  
• The Bihar Council of Science & Technology organised an awareness programme on Amateur Radio on May 4, 2000 at Indira Gandhi Planetarium Complex, Patna. The programme included a technical talk on Amateur Radio with general information on Amateur Station Operator's Certificate examination and a live demonstration. Contacts were made with Amateur Radio Club Station of NCSTC and a few other hams in the country.
  
• Programmes for training Master Resource Persons for using puppetry for S & T communication were organised in several States and UTs. The field performances by trained communicators have begun in the states of UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, Orissa, Manipur and Maharashtra. In these state level workshops, the communicators were trained to write scripts, make puppets and plan field demonstration.
  
• A national workshop to train Master Resource Persons from NGOs / institutions located in different states / UTs, in physical and chemical analysis of potable water was organised during May 24-26, 2000 at Bangalore with the help of a low-cost kit developed for NCSTC by JNCASR, Bangalore. The trained resource persons will now carry out training at state level in their respective states.
  
• A unique 7-day Children's Activity Camp was organised by Yuva Vigyan Parishad, Gwalior (MP) during June 20-26, 2000 at Gwalior. The main objective of this programme was to expose children to a wide variety of science popularisation activities and recent S&T developments in different disciplines, alongwith a face to face interaction with scientists. About 100 children participated in different programmes like Illusion & reality, science plays, nature camp, origami, drawing and painting competition, quizzes and science in folk games etc.
  
• A regional training workshop on "Prevention and Detection of Adulteration in Food Stuff" would be organised by the Stella Morris College, Chennai, during November 30 - December 3, 2000. Around 35 teachers / activists from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh would participate in the programme.
  
• A project for development of a module for science clubs has been supported to Science Centre, Gwalior.
  
• With the help of state and District coordinators of the Children's Science Congress program, a survey of children's perception of democracy, citizenship, and role of S&T in development was carried out all over the country by way of a questionnaire. A report giving analysis of their views has been brought out.

Training Programmes

• A training workshop on "Learning Mathematics through Origami" was organised by Prachi Patha Ghar, Basukhera (Puri), Orissa, during February-March, 2000. Around 30 teachers from different secondary schools participated in the workshop. Similar programmes were organised by i) Serve India, Mandi, HP, during June 16-18, 2000, ii) the Council for Socioeconomic Benevolent Action, Mayurbhanj, Orissa at Baripada during September 17-19, 2000, and iii) Yuva Vigyan Parishad, Gwalior, during October 21-24, 2000
  
• A workshop on "Scientifically Explaining Miracles shown by Godmen" was organised by the Science Centre, Gwalior, at Piplode, Distt. Ratlam, M.P during March 27-31, 2000 in which 25 activists including high school science teachers participated. A workshop was organised by the Action for Social Change, Vaishali, Bihar during April 08-12, 2000. Around 35 teachers/voluntary activists participated in the 5-day workshop. Similar workshops were organised by Manav Kalyan Samiti, Shahajahanpur at Patna during October 16-20, 2000 and by the Society for Social Development, Gwalior in November, 2000 at Gwalior. A national level workshop was organised at the Gram Niyojan Kendra, Ghaziabad, UP, during September 14-15, 2000, in which 30 master resource persons from different parts of the country participated. Public performances on scientifically explaining miracles were organised in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan by various agencies.
  
• Training Camps/Workshops are being organised to popularise Science & Technology among the rural population of Maharashtra by the Andh Shardha Nirmulan Samiti, Maharashtra. This programme is being conducted through programmes like Vigyan Parichay & Vigyan Shodh. Primary and secondary school students from 25 districts of Maharashtra will participate in this programme. Training Camps/Workshops are being organised for teachers from all over Maharashtra. It is a two year programme that commenced in April 2000.
  
• A training workshop on "Model Rocketry" was organised in Dharwad (Karnataka), by the Institute of Education, Science & Technology for People, Dharwad, during June 5-6, 2000. About fifty science teachers participated in the programme. Similar workshops were organised by the Centre for Science Education, NEHU, Shillong, at Jorethang (Sikkim) during March 21-25, 2000 and Agartala, Tripura, during March 28 - April 1, 2000, respectively. A model rocketry training workshop was organised by Pathani Samantha Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, during October 8-12, 2000. More training workshops on "Model Rocketry" are in the pipeline at Chandigarh, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal and Imphal. The participants get an exposure to various principles of physics like laws of motion, thrust, drag, force, etc. and also make working models of rockets.
  
• A 3-day training programme on understanding characteristics of LASER was organised in collaboration with Department of Science & Technology, Government of Rajasthan. The main idea for organising this training workshop was to educate senior school science teachers about optics and different applications of LASERs. Similar workshops were organised by 1) Science & Society, Patna; 2) Institute for Integrated Society Development (UP); 3) State Council for S & T (Rajasthan) at Jaipur; 4) State Council for S & T (Bihar), Patna; 5) State Council for S & T (UP), Lucknow; and 6) State Council for S & T (TN); Chennai; respectively, during May 2000 - September 2000. A kit to demonstrate the characteristics has been designed and provided to the participating teachers. Around 25 teachers were trained during each workshop.
  
• A 3-day training programme on 'Learning of science through Hands-on-activities' was organised by Manipur Science & Technology Council at Imphal. In this programme experiments with low cost teaching / learning aids are explained and demonstrated. Around 50 experiments based on physics, chemistry & life sciences are covered in this programme. A maximum of 30-35 participants can participate. Similar programmes were organised by 1) Science for Society, Patna; 2) State Council for S&T (Haryana); 3) State Council for S & T (Bihar); 4) State Council for S & T (Punjab); and 5) State Council for S & T (Rajasthan), respectively, during April-September, 2000.
  
• 3-day training programmes on Aerodynamics were organised by 1) Gobardanga Renaissance Institute, West Bengal; 2) Madhya Pradesh State Council for S & T; 3) Punjab State Council for S & T; and 4) Tamil Nadu State Council for S & T. Para-Gliding & Hand Gliding Association of India organised programmes at Calcutta, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kullu (HP), respectively. The programmes (30 teachers per programme) were organised during the period January - October, 2000. The key idea behind this training programme-cum-workshop is to stimulate creativity and generate awareness about aerodynamics and explain the principles related to the science of flight.
  

Science Coverage in Media

• A training workshop on "Science Writing & Journalism" was organised at Rae Bareilly, U.P., by Voluntary Organisation for Science Communication & Education, Lucknow, U.P., during March 9-12, 2000. The workshop was divided into various technical sessions ranging from development of scripts, techniques of science communication to formats of science writing etc. Over 25 budding science writers attended the four-day workshop. Similar workshops were organised by i, Swadeshi Science Movement, Kochi, Kerala, at Thiruvananthapuram, during February 10-13, 2000, ii) Manthan Yuva Sangathan, Ranchi, Bihar, during June 22-25, iii) Sukanta Academy, Agartala, Tripura, during July 12-16, 2000, iv) Yuva Vigyan Parishad, Gwalior, at Panchamadhi (MP) during August 19-22, 2000, and v) the Indian Science Communication Society, Lucknow, during September 01-04, 2000 at Basti (UP), and during September 30-October 03, 2000, at Balarampur (UP) , respectively. A training workshop on science fiction writing was organised by the Bhartiya Vigyan Katha Lekhak Samiti at Sarnath, Varanasi, during February 19-22, 2000. Voluntary Institute of Community Applied Science (VICAS), Allahabad, organised 5 workshops on science writing / journalism during June-October, 2000.
  
• The Enhancement of Science Coverage in Mass Media programme was implemented this year as well. Some 15 workshops were organized during the period February-November, 2000. Over 600 budding science writers/journalists/illustrators were trained. The programme was also extended rural and remote areas.
  
• Special training programmes were undertaken to develop specialized science writers / illustrators for various media. A workshop on science writing for folk media is being organized at Allahabad. The programme also focused on various formats of science writing. A workshop on science plays writing was organized at Shivpuri during March 11-14, 2000 and on science fiction writing at Sarnath during February 19-22, 2000.
  
• A workshop for training of master resource persons for organising training programmes on science writing / journalism / illustrations was organised by the State Council for Science Technology and Environment, Himachal Pradesh in March, 2000. The programme addressed various issues regarding organisation of training programmes.
  
• As a follow-up exercise of training programmes on science writing / journalism, an advanced level training workshop for the participants from earlier workshops, who had shown best performance during last year by way of contributing regularly in mass media in terms of writing science articles / reports, etc. is scheduled to be organised by Yuva Vigyan Parishad, Gwalior at Datia (MP) in December, 2000.
  
• Post-graduate programmes in S&T Communication at Lucknow University and Indore University were continued this year as well. Some 25 students received education this year at each place. Most of them have been absorbed in various positions.
  
• A one-year training course in science journalism was initiated at Indian Science Communication Society (ISCOS), Lucknow, through distance education from June, 2000.
  
• A medium term training course in science journalism was sanctioned at Vigyan Parishad, Allahabad, commenced on October 10, 2000 and is expected to continue till January 10, 2001. 50 budding science writers would be trained during the course of the programme. A similar programme is being organised at Calcutta by the Science Association of Bengal.
  

S&T Popularisation on TV

• Various NCSTC video programmes on frontline areas of science and technology were telecast on Educational Channel "Gyan Darshan" and Doordarshan's News Channel under "Darpan" programme during the period March-June, 2000.
  
• Production of the 26-episode TV serial "Manavodayam" by C-DIT, Thiruvananthapuram, based on the popular radio serial Manav-ka-Vikas has begun. The briefs and the shooting scripts have been prepared after an intensive workshop at Thiruvananthapuram with the producers and approved by the Advisory Committee for the serial. The pilot episode "Universe" has also been approved and the shooting of the various episodes is in full swing. The serial would be made in Hindi, English, Tamil and Malayalam.
  

Exhibitions / Fairs / Jathas

• In order to develop creativity and excitement of science and technology among children, several science exhibitions/fairs/festivals were organized, including Midnapore Science Festival (January 26-30, 2000), Regional Science Exhibition, Suri (February 11-15,2000), and Physics Festival "Newtonian" (January 18-19, 2000), Delhi. An exhibition on Science, Technology and Environment was organized by the Centre for Environment Education at Lucknow on the occasion of World Environment Day (June 05, 2000) during the period June 04-12, 2000.
  
• Spadework has been done for organisation of an Information Technology Jatha. Some organisations interested in and capable of taking responsibility have been identified. A discussion meeting has also been held for deciding on work assignments.
  
• The basic structure has been worked out for an Information Technology Exhibition. The main areas to be covered include IT applications in the fields of health, education, networking and communication, entertainment, rural development, GIS, disaster management, E-commerce, banking and industry. Proposals have been received from organisations that would take responsibility of content development.
  

Publications

• "SROTE", NCSTC's Science & Technology feature service was undertaken in 1988 by Eklavya, a NGO, based at Bhopal, as an NCSTC project. This was started with a view to enhancing the quantity and quality of S&T coverage in Hindi newspapers and periodicals, at the same time making available reference materials for teachers, students and others engaged in S&T communication. As a result of the recommendations of the Expert Group, constituted by Secretary, DST in 1998, the quality of SROTE publication, which comes out in both weekly and monthly compilations, has improved and at the same time the revenue collection has also gone up.
  
• The project "Preparation of Annotated Bibliography on Popular S&T Books in Major Indian Languages" was initiated in 1996 covering 14 Indian languages namely, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Manipuri, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Each bibliography consists of computerized records in English. NCSTC requested State S&T Councils to come forward and join on a 50:50 basis in bringing out their local language computerized editions of the bibliography of popular science books.
  
• A book titled "Sanchar Madhyamo Ke Liye Vigyan Kathayein (Science Fiction for Mass Media)" in Hindi, containing science fiction, developed during a workshop on science fiction writing, was published by Bharatiya Vigyan Katha Lekhak Samiti, Faizabad, U.P., in June, 2000.
  

Environmental Awareness

• A year-long plantation activity for schools/science clubs in the form of project Root & Shoot has been developed. The pilot project has been taken up in March, 2000, in Guna & Ratlam.
  
• Training programmes for the Resource persons for Nature Activity Camps were organised in UP, MP, Orissa and Tamil Nadu during March-June, 2000. A manual for organising Nature Activity Camps is ready and will be distributed soon.
  
• Science Aur Kainaat Society of India at Kainaat International School, Jehanabad, Bihar organised an activity based programme on Preservation and Conservation of Nature during the period February 7-11, 2000. About 150 children from different parts of the country participated. The activity also included water testing, nature study visits, testing for food adulteration, quiz and other activities.
  
• Three district level nature activity camps for science teachers, S&T activists from voluntary organisations and school students were organised by VICAS, Allahabad, UP; Science Centre, Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh Vigyan Sabha, Raipur, M.P. during January 29 - February 02, 2000, February 06-10, 2000 and February 13-17, 2000 respectively.
  
• Third State level workshop to train master resource persons for organising 'Nature Activity Camps' was organised by SEARCH, Ghaziabad, UP, at the Himalayan Adventure Institute, Mussourie (UP), during August 09-13, 2000. Representatives from fifty VIPNET (Vigyan Prasar Network) Clubs, voluntary organisations and District Coordinators of the Children's Science Congress from the hill districts of UP participated in this five-day programme.
  
• A National Training Workshop on Vermicomposting to train the resource persons from different States/UTs was by Dharamitra, a Wardha based voluntary organisation.
  
• A module to introduce school children to different aspects of scientific Waste management through vermicomposting is being developed by the Society for Environment & Development, Delhi, involving Government and Public School children .
  

National Science Day:

• The theme for National Science Day 2000 was `Recreating interest in Basic Sciences'. States and UTs were given support on sharing basis to organise week to month long activities in their respective states. Dr. D. Balasubramanian, winner of UNESCO Kalinga Award for Science Popularisation 1997 and Director of Research, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, delivered the NSD Lecture on the topic " Enlarging the paradigm - Understanding traditional medicine in molecular terms" at the central NSD function organised by NCSTC in Delhi.
  
• A Health Quiz Screening Competition amongst fifty municipal, government aided and public schools of Delhi was organised. General information on different aspects of health care in the form of illustrated booklets on eye, teeth, general health and women's health were brought out in Hindi. Booklets on each topic were distributed among students.
  
• A health check-up and awareness camp for employees of VP, DST & DSIR was organised in Technology Bhawan during February 22-25, 2000 with the help of Heart Care Foundation of India, New Delhi. Specialists in eye, dental, and cardiac problems and general physicians comprised the team of experts. Four booklets in English on topics Eye, Dental Care, General Health, and Diabetes and Heart Care were brought out and distributed. Over 700 employees were screened, given test reports, and prescribed treatment where necessary.
  
• A science skit competition based on NSD-2000 theme "Recreating interest in Basic Sciences" was organised for school children of Kendriya Vidyalayas in Delhi. The winning team was invited to present the skit during the National Science Day function held on February 28, 2000 in Technology Bhawan, DST. New Delhi.
  

National Awards on S&T Popularisation

NCSTC National Awards for Science Popularisation for the year 1999, i.e. for the period covering calendar years 1994-98, were conferred on Shri A.P. Deshpande, Mumbai (National Award for Best Efforts in Science Popularisation), Dr Yatish Agarwal, Delhi (National Award for Best Science & Technology Coverage in the Mass media), and Homi Bhabha Science Centre for Education, Mumbai (National Award for Best Effort in Science Popularisation Among Children) on the National Science Day, February 28, 2000 at the NSD function organised at Technology Bhawan, New Delhi. Dr Arvind Kumar, Director, Homi Bhabha Science Centre for Education received the award on behalf of the Centre. Dr Narender K. Sehgal, Head, NCSTC, welcomed the winners and the guests. The award winners addressed the gathering and described the science communication work they have been engaged in. Prof. Murli Manohar Joshi, Hon'ble Union Minister of Science & Technology, Human Resource Development, and Ocean Development felicitated the winners. He presented the winners the cash award, a bronze medal and a scroll with citation before an elite audience. Shri Bachi Singh Rawat, Union Minister of State (S&T) also graced the occasion.

NCSTC Executive Committee Meeting(s)

Eighteenth and Nineteenth meetings of the Executive Committee of NCSTC were convened on February 08, 2000 and September 01, 2000, respectively. Programmes undertaken / to be undertaken by NCSTC were discussed and approved.