Annual Report 1999-2000

Autonomous Institutions

Vigyan Prasar

Vigyan Prasar (VP) was established in the year 1989 to take up large-scale science popularisation activities. It has been striving hard to reach out to more and more people through the mass media, i.e. the printed word, radio and television. Besides these, among other things, efforts are underway to put together a network of Science Clubs for spreading scientific awareness and promoting scientific attitudes and the use of scientific methodology in our lives.

Vigyan Prasar Information System (VIPRIS)

VP Homepage

Vigyan Prasar Homepage www.vigyanprasar.com launched in September, 1996 offers daily science news, interviews with scientists, features of current interest, a discussion forum, an online magazine, ComCom and lot more. The homepage is being periodically upgraded both in terms of design and contents.

CD-ROMs

A CD-ROM on eclipses was developed and produced on the occasion of the last total solar eclipse to be visible from Indian soil in the 20th century. The contents include general background, eclipses, transits, occultations, historical references to eclipses, the associated myths and superstitions; geometry of eclipses; prediction, scientific studies; and observation of eclipses. This is the third CD-ROM title produced by Vigyan Prasar, the other two titles were based on its publications.

Databases

The first phase has been completed. Efforts are on to develop a Search Engine and Data Loading Software for converting the information compiled into a useable format generated under the first-phase of a database on "Environment & Safety Laws, Regulations & Guidance"

VIPRIS Clipset

Vigyan Prasar brings out a fortnightly newspaper clipping service called VIPRIS Clipset, on science & technology and environment, both in English and Hindi. It covers more than one hundred newspapers and magazines.

Multimedia Touch Terminal Kiosks

Vigyan Prasar has developed multimedia touch terminal kiosk: two such Kiosks have been supplied to DST and one to NBPGR, New Delhi.

World of Science

The regular science column, `The World of Science' in Employment News (Hindi, English and Urdu) is being continued.

Publications Programme

Publications brought out so far have covered diverse areas like Indian Scientific Heritage, Housing, Pesticides, Natural History, Health and so on. Publications brought out during the period under the review are :- Alternatives to Pesticides in Tropical Countries : Food Security with Food Safety; Uncharted Terrains : Science Popularisation in Pre-independence India; Delhi's Water & Solid Waste Management : An Emerging Scenario Square Pegs in Round Holes; Where Gods Come Alive : A study on the South Indian Bornze Icons; Grahan : Mithak Aur Yathartha (Hindi); Delhi Lohua Stambh (Hindi); TSE : Answer to All Your Questions (Assamese, Orriya, Gujarati, English - modified and reprinted); Sisur Jatno O Lalon Palon (Bengali book on child-care); Marathi version of Soap Bubbles and the Forces Which Mould Them;

A. Reprints/updated version of the following NCSTC publications were brought out :

Seeing is not always Believing; Saach to Kuch Aur Hai; Leaf Zoo, Toy Joy and Pump form the Dump; Patton Ki Chiriya Ghar; Khel-Khilonain; Pump hi Pump

B. Projects for compilations of selected popular science writings in the last hundred years (1850-1950) have been completed in Hindi & Bengali.

C.A project has been commissioned with Vigyan Parishad Prayag, Allahabad to bring out scientific & technical dictionary in Hindi (Paribhasik Sabdakosh).

D.Vigyan Prasar has participated in book fairs/exhibitions in different parts of the country.

Marketing Strategy

A project was commissioned to Technology Informatics Design Endeavour (TIDE) to do the market survey and suggest marketing strategy for Vigyan Prasar software in Karnataka and adjoining states.

DREAM-2047

Vigyan Prasar's monthly newsletter "Dream-2047" which was started in August 1998 is being continued.

Total Solar Eclipse

Vigyan Prasar had initiated a number of activities on the occasion of the last total solar eclipse to be visible from Indian Soil in the 20th Century (11.08.1999). Vigyan Prasar had developed and produced Greeting Cards with inbuilt solar filter, charts, posters and kits on the occasion of This material was sold/distributed in different parts of the country. Video filming of the TSE at 24000 ft. with IAF Crew on AN-32 on 11 August 1999 was done jointly by Vigyan Prasar and Indian Air Force. Video sequence of TSE was shown on DD-I later that night during a repeat of the live telecast done earlier in the day.

Audio Video Programme

Vigyan Prasar is striving hard to enhance science coverage on both television and radio.

• A 52-episode radio serial, Chhoo Mantar jointly produced by Vigyan Prasar and AIR, Delhi was completed. The serial, which started on October 3, 1998, was based on the NSCTC's publication `Seeing is not always believing' and dealt with the science behind so-called miracles.
  
• A 26-episode radio serial, Bipanna Basudha (the endangered earth) on science, technology and environment jointly produced by All India Radio, Guwahati and Vigyan Prasar was broadcast during the period April-October 1999.
  
• A video film, Din Mein Taare, produced on the occasion of 24 October 1995 was updated for the telecast on the occasion of August 11, 1999.
  
• Efforts have been initiated to commission video films on organic forming and spots on specific achievements on science & technology.
  
• Plans are being made for creating infrastructural facilities for animation, editing and audio and limited video production.
  
• Efforts have been initiated towards setting up a National Repository of Science Videos.
  

VIPNET

Vigyan Prasar has initiated a network of Science Clubs (VIPNET) throughout the country to strengthen the science club movement, to work with all existing clubs and agencies. Around 500 of such organisations have already been associate themselves with Vigyan Prasar in furthering the cause of science popularisation. A monthly bulletin, VIPNET News mostly based on the members' contributions is being published. A number of meetings were organised in many places around the country.

Electronic kits and Models

Vigyan prasar has developed the following kits and models :-

(a) An Electronic Book based on opto-electronics technology.
(b) A set of four games/puzzles targeted at youngsters has been developed on the concept of living, space and structure to elaborate on qualities of living space.

HAM Radio

Vigyan Prasar aims to contribute towards the growth of HAM population as well as to provide technical know-how to the younger generation and form a countrywide network of hams. The booklet titled "Be a Ham! Talk to the World" was reprinted with the addition of further information. Vigyan Prasar is running the club station VU2NCT that is located in Technology Bhawan. To facilitate very high frequency (VHF) radio communication, Vigyan Prasar has put into operation a VHF ham repeater station (VU2DLR) which became functional on 9th December, 1998. A ham radio workshop and demonstration programme was organised by Vigyan Prasar at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG) from October 8 to 10, 1999. A web site on ham radio has been designed and hosted. It is the homepage of VU2NCT amateur radio club station of Vigyan Prasar and NCSTC, which can be accessed through the Vigyan Prasar homepage (www.vigyanprasar.com). The site contains all the information necessary to help a ham radio enthusiast. The `Course & Study Material' for conducting training programmes in the schools are under preparation.