Dr Shirish Khedgikar
National Science Day (NSD), celebrated on February 28, commemorates the discovery of Raman Effect by Nobel laureate Indian Physicist Dr C V Raman in 1928.
Raman Effect is the phenomenon of scattering of lights, which laid the foundation for many scientific developments. Theme for this year’s NSD is ‘Empowering Indian youth for global leadership in science and innovation for Viksit Bharat.’
Scientific endeavors of India are not only shaping future of our nation but contributing significantly for global progress. In recent years, rising scientific achievements of India are witnessed globally. We are globally among the top five countries in scientific research publications. Our patent filing has crossed 90,000 which is the highest in two decades. Indian scientific breakthroughs have reached from lab to moon. Science and technology ecosystem of India, in the fields like artificial intelligence, quantum technology, astronomy, solar and wind energy, climate research, space research, biotechnology and agriculture is becoming strong, day by day.
India is also acknowledged for robust vaccine development capacity, which has been proved during the Covid pandemic. India’s progress in providing Hi-tech medical, dental and Ayush department facilities in Government, as well as private hospitals is noteworthy.
To mark the NSD, theme-based science communication programmes are organised all over the country. But, the question still remains - is the common man aware about it? Is science supposed to be confined to research laboratories and textbooks? There is need to popularize the science communication activities through extension programmes. Today, the world of science and technology is interesting and intriguing. Activities for building scientific temper in the minds of Indian cities are also required. ScOPE - Science communication, popularisation and extension - is the project of Vigyan Prasar created after considering scientific social responsibility. Now, in the activities like AWSAR (Articulating Writing Skills in Augmenting Research), Ph D and post-doctoral Scholars explain their research in simpler words to make the common man understand it. The first OTT channel Indian Science launched by Vigyan Prasar has more than 200 films. Use of electronic, social and digital media has proved helpful in promoting science communication in regional languages.
The national policy on Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR-2020) is promoting scientists and researchers for participation in science communication and engagement activities. It is the moral responsibility of science teachers and research scholars now to act as science communicators, by organising outreach or extension activities for public development of the scientific temper amongst citizens to fulfill the dream of Viksit Bharat.
(The writer is Trustee of Swami Ramanand Tirtha Marathwada Research Institute, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar).
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