Lok Sabha Question No. 2783 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Inventions by Scientists
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2783 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03/08/2016

## INVENTIONS BY SCIENTISTS

## 2783.  ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  mechanism  to  popularise  science  and  technology inventions by scientists in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó (gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

(a) Yes, Madam. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research an autonomous organization of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Govt. of India, has the Popular Science Division of CSIR-NISCAIR to popularize inventions by Scientists by bringing out some popular science magazines, newsletters and programmes on TV and Radio. Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt of India has several mechanisms to popularise the science and technology inventions by scientists in the country. Some of these include: National Science Congress, National Teachers Science Congress, National Children  Science Congress, National awards  for Science  & Technology Communication and Science Express - Exhibition Train, Mobile Science Exhibitions on  road.  Ministry  of  Science  &  Technology  popularize  inventions  by  scientists  in  India  by providing financial assistance for organizing Conference/ Seminar/ Symposium/ Workshop and travel support to the researchers for presenting their papers in the conferences within and outside the country.

(b) Science Express is a flagship initiative of the Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India for popularising science and technology amongst masses in various states of India. It is a unique mobile science exhibition mounted on a 16-coach, AC train, travelling across India since 2007. Over the last eight years, Science Express has extensively covered different areas across India, wherever broad-gauge rail tracks are available and halt is feasible. During its entire journey since its launch on 30 October 2007 till date ( till 7 May 2016 ), in its eight phases, it has covered 1,42,000 km with 455 halts across India. Science Express has been visited by 1.56 crore people till date, making it the most visited, longest running and the largest mobile science exhibition. The science and technology inventions by scientists in the country and cutting edge research in science have been part of the Science Express exhibition in its previous phases. Science Express halts at each station for 3-4 days, during which students, teachers and general public from the nearby areas visit the exhibition and participate in various activities, which is free of cost. It has travelled

to several states and UTs including - Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttrakhand, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal,  Assam,  Odisha,  Chhattisgarh,  Andhra  Pradesh,  Telangana,  Tamil  Nadu,  Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Nagaland. The next phase of the Science Express is being planned to start in October 2016 as 'Science Express  Climate  Action  Special  (SECAS). This  will  be  Phase  IX  journey  for  the  iconic  train, covering 69 stations in 23 states and UTs. Council  of  Scientific  and  Industrial  Research  under  Department  of  Scientific  and Industrial  has  the  Popular  Science  Division  of  CSIR-NISCAIR  (National  Institute  of  Science Communication and Information Resources) which brings out three popular science magazines --Science Reporter (English monthly), Vigyan Pragati (Hindi monthly) and Science-kiDuniya (Urdu quarterly). The three magazines give coverage to inventions by Indian scientists. It also  brings  out  two  R&D  Newsletter  -CSIR News (English)  and CSIR Samachar (Hindi).  The newsletters publish on a regular basis news and information pertaining to inventions and research accomplishments of CSIR scientists. A weekly programme 'Eureka' on the contribution of Indian Scientists  is  produced  by  CSIR-NISCAIR  in  collaboration  with  Rajya  Sabha  TV  and  Vigyan Prasar wherein interviews of eminent scientists and researchers are conducted to discuss their S&T  inventions  and  accomplishments.  A  publication  based  on  the  contribution  of  eminent scientist titled 'Moments of Eureka: Life and work of selected Indian Scientists' was brought out by  CSIR-NISCAIR  in  collaboration  with  RSTV  and  Vigyan  Prasar  in  2016.  Constituent laboratories of CSIR also organize interactions of Lab scientists with general public including school students on occasions such as CSIR Foundation Day, Technology Day, Lab Foundation Day, etc. wherein information on S&T inventions by the Lab scientists is disseminated. Ministry of Science and Technology popularize invention of scientists in India by providing financial assistance for organizing Conference/ Seminar/ Symposia, Workshop and travel support to the researchers for presenting their papers in the conferences which are being organised within and outside the country. It also extends support for organising DBT stalls in Exhibitions held within  the  country  as  well  as  outside  the  country.  Financial  supports  are  also  provided  for organising Popular Lectures. The collective term for these four activities is CTEP (Conference,

Travel, Exhibition and Popular Lectures

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