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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.

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'.

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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