| National
Awards For Science and Technology Communication For the Year 2008 Rashtriya
Vigyan Evam Prodyogiki Sanchar Parishad (RVPSP/NCSTC) in 1987, instituted national
awards to stimulate, encourage and recognize outstanding efforts in the area of
science popularization and communication. There are six awards, in this field. National
Award for Outstanding Effort in Science & Technology Communication Vikram
A Sarabhai Communicty Science Centre |
Address: Vikram A Sarabhai Communicty Science Centre,
Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura,
Ahmedabad- 380 009 Phone : 91-79-26302914 E-mail
: info@vascsc.org Website: www.vascsc.org Award
: Rs. 2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs), a memento and a citation.
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This award is presented to an individual or an institution for outstanding work
in communication of science and technology and/or promoting of scientific temper
which had the widest impact in the country during the past five years. The award
consists of Rs. 2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs), a memento and a citation.
Vikram
A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre was established in 1960s by the eminent space
scientist Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, with a mandate of stimulating interest, encourage
and expose principles of science and scientific method and find innovative methods
of science education. VASCSC's activities have reached different
parts of the country. It has a highly qualified and dedicated team that works
on all its projects. In the recent years it has worked extensively in the field
of science communication, developed and distributed science teaching-learning
material, conducted trainings and workshops, programmes on science education,
celebrated science events and made dedicated efforts, provide science education
to the children in urban slums. Contribution of VASCSC in
science communication is reflected through its association with the prestigious
Science Express project for 8 months. When the high tech interactive exhibition
traveled to different parts of the country and attracted over 22lakh visitors.
VASCSC is known for its science based teaching learning materials (exhibits,
models, kits), Science Playground and Activity Room. These have reached to schools
in different districts of Gujarat as well as Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Karnataka,
Tamilnadu, Punjab, Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal and Maharashtra. Trainings and workshops
for teachers, students; Science and Maths are also conduced as part of this. VASCSC
developed 116 play material kits and distributed to Aanganwadis in earthquake-affected
Rapar (Kutch). VASCSC has been developing print materials;
Science Wall Planners on different themes to create inquisitiveness and curiosity.
Science competitions, exhibitions, shows, arts, model rocketry workshop
and launching, activity corners, astronight attract 12000 visitors annually. Science
week is celebrated with over 5000 participants. Science is introduced through
traditional activities in the community including the very popular 'Kite festival'.
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National Award for Outstanding Effort
in Science & Technology Communication through Books and Magazines Dr.
Pramod Kumar Mohapatra | Address:
Dr. Pramod Kumar Mohapatra Dy.
News Editor The Samaj, Buxi Bazar, Cuttack-1 Phone :
0671-2301240
Award : Rs.1,00,000/-
(Rupees One Lakh), a memento and a citation. | This
award is presented to an individual or an institution for outstanding efforts
in popularization of science & technology and/or promoting scientific temper
through books, magazines, Internet, etc, during the past five years. The award
comprises Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh), a memento and a citation.
Dr.
P.K. Mohaptra is a senior journalist and a popular science writer of Orissa. After
completing his M.Sc (Botany) from Ravenshaw College and Ph.D from Utkal University,
Bhubneshwar he jointed the popular & largest circulating Daily news paper
"The Samaj" as Sub-Editor in 1980. From that day he has been associated
with Science, Agriculture, Health and Environment related news and features of
the paper. He has written 65 books out of which 55 are on popular science.
He
has written the 1st Encyclopedia of Science in Oriya language "Bigyan Cosa".
(4 volumes published).
He has written eight science fiction books in Oriya
language. He has been decorated with Orissa Bigyan Academy Award and Orissa Sahitya
Academy Award for his scientific literacy efforts. He is honorary editor of the
monthly science magazine 'Bigyan Barta'. He is a popular science writer and a
broadcaster in AIR and Doordarshan. He also organizes students' meetings with
eminent scientists. |
National Award
for Outstanding Effort in Science & Technology Popularization Among Children:
This year the honor has been awarded to Shri G. S. Unni Krishnan Nair, Trivandrum
and Jidnyasa Trust Thane, Thane Shri G. S. Unni Krishnan
Nair 
| Address:
Shri G. S. Unni Krishnan Nair, 'Anjana' TC-25/3179,
Vanchiyur, Trivandrum Kerala- 695035 Phone : 0471- 2662663 E-mail :
unni_krishnan@hotmail.com
Award : Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees
One Lakh), a memento and a citation. | This
award is presented to an individual or an institution for outstanding work in
popularization of science & technology and/or promotion of scientific temper
among children which has had the widest impact in the country during the past
five years. The award consists of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh), a memento and
a citation. G. S. Unni Krishnan Nair graduated in Agriculture
and got PGJMC (Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication) from
IGNOU. He is presently working as Agricultural Officer at Farm Information Bureau,
Trivandrum. He has won national award for book writing from
Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India in 2002. During the year 2005 was decorated with
the Kerala State Level Science Literture award of the "State Council for
Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Kerala" for the life time
achievements in the field of Science Popularization among Children. The State
level Karshaka Bharathi award for life time achievements in 'Agricultural Science
Communication through Print and Electronic Medium' was also awarded to him in
2005. He has published 24 science books for children, including
2 translations of books published by Discovery Channel. He is doing science writing
since 1986 and has published over 2000 popular science articles. He is a regular
contributor in the children's column titled - Kutti.com published in Mathrubhumi.
He is contributing to 5 columns in Malayalam Magazines and Newspapers. He is editing
an agricultural science magazine -"Kannimannu" and a fortnightly newsletter
"Haritha Dalam". He has prepared and presented about 50 episodes of
the weekly science programme- "Sasthra Veedhi" in Surya Television Channel.
He has scripted and edited 55 agricultural documentaries and presented 26 science
programmes through AIR. |
Jidnyasa
Trust Thane (JTT) | Address:
Jidnyasa Trust Thane 2, Jayanand Society,
M.G. Road, Naupada, Thane-400602 Phone :
022-25403857 E-mail : jidnyasatrust@rediffmail.com Award :
Rs.1,00,000/- (Rs. One Lakh), a memento and a citation.
| The
trust was registered in 1999 to promote and inculcate interest in science. It
organizes Children Science Congress in al the 35 districts of Maharashtra. It
has been organizing special Children Science Congress for tribal children since
2002 in ten districts working with over three hundred schools it mobilized students
on developmental themes during 2004 in twelve districts. JTT successfully organized
the national event of CSC in December, 2007 and is a regular organizer of state
level science quiz contest since 2003. Besides this JTT has
set up a centre where schools conduct scientific experiments under the guidance
of mentors. A 'Science Activity Centre' has been set up in at Thane Municipal
Corporation School with interactive models and exhibits on science. JTT has also
several science centres in rural schools to promote science education. JTT
has produced 4 multimedia educational CDs under the project 'Science Trail'. Besides
this a number of books on science and environment have been brought out. Eco-friendly
Ganpati festival, waste is wealth, cleaning of lake, etc. were some of the environmental
awareness initiatives under taken by the trust. |
National
Award for Outstanding Effort in Science & Technology in Electronic Medium
Ms. Meenu Khare  | Address
: 201, Mahavir Apartments, 36 Cantt. Road, Lucknow
- 226001 Phone : 0522-2237470 E-mail :
meenukhare@rediffmail.com Award : Rs.1,00,000/-
(Rs. One Lakh), a memento and a citation. | This
award is presented to an individual correspondent or an institution for outstanding
efforts in communication of science & technology and/or promotion of scientific
temper through radio and/or television media during the period under consideration.
The award comprises Rs.1,00,000/- (Rs. One Lakh), a memento and a citation.
Ms.
Meenu Khare is presently working as Programme Executive (Science Producer) with
AIR, Lucknow. She is a regular producer of the National Science Magazine of All
India Radio in collaboration with Vigyan Prasar, Delhi which is broadcast all
over India. She was one of the producers of the radio serial 'Rahe Ye Matwale'
by AIR in collaboration with RVPSP and Vigyan Prasar to observe the International
Year of Physics- 2005. She also worked with BBC World Service
Trust media project on HIV/AIDS. Besides this she has projected many eminent scientists
through engaging interviews. She has also written 52 episodes
of a radio serial on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. She has also worked with
Gyanvani FM educational channel of Indira Gandhi National Open University, New
Delhi as guest producer and presenter of science programmes. She is also popularizing
science through internet through popular science blogs and website. She is also
winner of many awards and honours like:- National Award of Akashvani for a feature
on Radiotherapy in 2007 and the AIBD International Radio Award, Malaysia in 1996. |
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