New Delhi, December 04, 2024.
The Vigyanika: Science Literature Festival one of the most prominent events of the IISF 2024, commenced on 1stDecember with an inspiring inaugural ceremony. This two day event was specifically focused on the theme “From Folklore to Future: An Indian Literary Exploration”.
The session began with introductory remarks by Dr. Paramananda Barman, Scientist, CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) and Coordinator, Vigyanika. Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, delivered the welcome address, underlining the importance of Indian languages in science communication and the role of literature in shaping the Indian Science Narrative. Distinguished guests, including Dr. Dinesh Ch. Goswami, Dr. Jaideep Baruah, Director, Assam Science Technology & Environment Council, Dr. R. Vijay, Director, ARCI Hyderabad shared their valuable insights.Dr. Goswami discussed the journey of science communication in Assam, by drawing support from historical texts, books, and science fiction. Dr. Vijay commented that science communication is must needed in Indian languages and should be interactive.
The first scientific session of the festival, “Shaping Indian Science Narrative with Literature”, was chaired by Prof. Shekhar C. Mande, former DG CSIR. Esteemed speakers included Prof. Ramakrishna V. Hosur, Padma Shri awardee and Distinguished Professor at IIT Bombay, who delved into ancient Indian knowledge systems, and Prof. Avinash Chandra Pandey, Director, IUAC discussed the inclusivity of Indian knowledge. Prof. Ganti Murthy, IIT Indore presented a philosophical view on science dissemination in different forms.
A panel discussion, titled Apni Bhasha Apna Vigyan: Communicating Science in Indian Languages, was chaired by Prof. Madhav Govind, JNU, New Delhi. Panellists included prominent science communicators across India representing diverse languages such as Assamese, Manipuri, Bodo, Dogri, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and Gujarati. The panel deliberated on the need to communicate science in Indian languages and promote inclusivity and wider reach. In a parallel session, a workshop on popular science writing was conducted by Dr. Manoj Kumar Patairiya, Former Director, CSIR-NISCAIR and Ms. Arati Halbe
