Seema Dwivedi
NEW DELHI: The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) successfully conducted its “One Week One Lab (OWOL)” programme, aimed at fostering public engagement with sciences and science policy and showcasing the achievements of the institute. The event began on September 11.
Seven events were planned to target a wide variety of participants, including scientists, academicians, science diplomats, science communicators, science publishers, entrepreneurs, industry experts, farmers, women Self Help Groups (SHGs), FPOs, students and other stakeholders. These events covered various aspects of women entrepreneurship, start-ups, creating livelihood in rural areas through CSIR technologies, science outreach and science diplomacy and science communication through research journals and popular science magazines.
One Month One Theme
The programme began with a Curtain Raiser on September 6 with Minister of Science & Technology (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh gracing the occasion at PhD Chamber of the Commerce, New Delhi. Dr. Rakesh Bhatnagar, National Science Chair at Jawahar Nehru University, was chief guest.
The inaugural function was held on September 11 at CSIR-NPL where Dr. Singh was chief guest and Dr Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR and D-G, CSIR, was guest of honour. Prof. Venu Gopal Achanta, Director, CSIR-NPL, as special invitee graced the occasion. More than 1200 offline/online participants attended in the event.
The minister gave a call to observe ‘One Month One Theme’ programme towards integrating the efforts of the various CSIR laboratories. He also inaugurated the Science Media Communication Cell and released various NIScPR publications and journal.
Startup revolution
One of the highlights of the function was announcement of winners of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for the year 2022 by the DirectorGeneral, CSIR. An event on “India’s Startup Revolution – An Exciting Journey from an Idea to Market”, which was organised on September 12, witnessed participation of various eminent dignitaries. Prof Chin TsanWang, Director, Science & Technology Division, Taipei Economic & Cultural Centre, Taiwan Embassy, was the guest of honour and Dr. Souvik Maiti, Director, CSIR-IGIB, also graced the event.
One of the highlights of this workshop was an exhibition by over 30 startups ranging from high technology to those who hold the promise to impact rural development in a major way.
On September 13, an event dedicated mainly to stakeholders from rural areas, including farmers, women SHGs and FPOs, was held on the topic of ‘Grassroot Innovations & Skill Development Conclave for Rural Development’. More than 10 CSIR labs, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and Vijnana Bharati participated and showcased their technologies and products.
A technical session on scientistfarmer interaction was organised where CSIR scientists and experts shared insights about dissemination of technologies to rural areas. Another event on Student-Science Connect was also organised and was attended by more than 150 students from various schools.
Students were sensitised about nutritional importance of millets. A workshop on science communication, involving more than 50 teachers, was organised covering various facets of science communication.
On September 14, an event on Science Communication: Public Engagement with Science was organised. Dr. Santosh Choubey, Chancellor, Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal, was the chief guest.
A panel discussion on the completion of 70 years of “Vigyan Pragati”, a popular science magazine of CSIR-NIScPR, was also organised. The highlight of the event was Vigyan Kavi Sammelan to commemorate Hindi Diwas.
Science exhibition
A Science Knowledge Convention was organised on September15 and was inaugurated by Dr Akhilesh Gupta, Secretary SERB and Senior Adviser, Department of Science and Technology (DST), and guest of honour was Dr Suman Kumari Mishra, Director, CSIR-CGCRI Kolkata. Various e-resources, databases, standards and various knowledge products were showcased.
A science exhibition and poster presentation competition on Societal Impact of your Research/Project undertaken were also organised. A panel discussion and Authors and Publishers Interaction Meet was organised, highlighting the importance of E-journals.
The week-long programme concluded on September 16 with an event on “Science Diplomacy for Sustainable Development” exploring how science diplomacy can contribute to sustainable development, sustainable entrepreneurship development in particular. Chief guest Dr. Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, addressed the gathering.
