core sector communique

Conference on Role of Media in Inculcating Scientific Temper and Awareness Communication Concludes

A two day International Conference on Role of Communication Media in Inculcating Scientific Temper & Awareness Communication, by CSIR-NISCAIR, Vigyan Prasar, NCSTC and NCSM concluded here today. The day conference concluded with the valedictory session having Eminent Scientist and Educator Prof. Yash Pal and Ms. Mallika Sarabhai, Activist & Indian Classical Dancer as key note speaker. Prof. Yashpal in his address focussed on the questions asked by children. He said we must listen to children because it is only children who asks us why and how every phenomenon around us is happening. Children are the real discoverer of question and we have to answer the questions. He said that humans are not a very old species and still we are evolving with time. He was critical about the propagation of superstitions in the society and asked to keep these superstitions away from the society. He told that science communication is only 2-3 decades old and its still evolving. So we should need not to worry but to behave responsibly and scientifically for the future growth of humankind. In his own words "Fortunately human animal is born curious, Work hard to answer the questions, you will become wiser". Ms. Mallika Sarabhai, in her keynote address emphasised the need to answer the every question of students they ask in the classrooms. Teachers need not to demoralise students and answer their queries. She said we are born seekers and scientific temper is our attitude. She emphasised the need of packaging science in such a way that every student and children should ask questions. She said cooking is science, art is science and so science is art. Science communication is a nation building activity. During the conference, the role of communication media in disseminating scientific achievements to ordinary man and society in developing countries was discussed. Over 150 participants and speakers including from France, Russia and Japan participated in the conference.