It is somehow felt that editing a script is quite like bringing coherence in a script which is at times, disjointed and unfocused and thus, lacks the ability to convey the scientific message it is meant to do. In other words, if the final edited script is likened to a pleasing, meaningful coherent speech, then the raw, unedited script is mostly its chaotic, confusing and incoherent counterpart. Good science editing is, therefore, a challenging task and it surely requires special skills. These skills can be, however, acquired with practice.

This article is intended at the following :

In recent years, the dramatic advances made in science and technology and a rapid proliferation of scientific information, has tremendously increased the recognition of magazine/ book publishing as integral part of scientific research. With this, the need for training in scientific communication, in all its ramifications has assumed great importance.Science popularisation through reading (print) media has thus emerged as a specialised field of knowledge that requires unique skills for transforming technical data that sounds to be an alien language to the lay persons, into a magically simple and engrossing story.

In the present scenario, there is a increasing demand for science writers and science editors who could effectively bridge the gap between the domains of science and the general public, by transforming/ metamorphosing the tough scientific information generated in different centres of learning worldwide into simple, easy-to-comprehend scientifically rich content that makes not only interesting reading but also enthuses its readers by inducing curiosity to know more about that subject.

There is surely no dearth of people in our country who have both a science background and interest in communicating their knowledge by means of print/electronic media. Tapping such manpower is of concern today as by offering them specialised training courses in science and technology communication, it would be possible to create a pool of good science editors/ science writers who can fill the existing void as the interface between research scientists and the general public.

To be able to edit a scientific story effectively, it is important that the editor has a sound science background so as to understand the importance of the write-up and the basic message that is to be conveyed. Lack of understanding of the subject matter would be a major hindrance to edit a scientific story and give it a proper shape or required thrust for its easy comprehension. Secondly, for a science editor, it is equally important to have a good command on the language in which the script is written. Communication skills are, in fact, very important for weeding out both technical and grammatical errors in a write-up thus polishing it and making if fit for final printing. In other words, for bringing improvements in a scientific story a science editor, just like a good science writer, has to have the dual qualities of having a strong foundation in a scientific discipline and the skill for communicating in a written language. This two-fold ability of a science editor/ science writer is quite akin to the two different faces of the same coin.

As a part of effective organisation, an editor must be able to visualise the broad overview of the write-up as well as be able to take a close-up look at individual details of different portions of the text. The interrelation of the main theme of the story and its individual parts must clearly emerge in the edited version. In other words, individual components of the text must be able to connect and relate with each other giving a unified vision of the main focus or thrust of the scientific write-up. While this organisational pattern of the write-up is being carefully analysed, it is important that a science editor keeps in mind the hierarchical structure that classifies the given ideas and scientific facts according to their level of generalisation. This basically takes the pyramid structure where the concept to be explained is at the top of the pyramid, which can be then divided into its individual components and described after the main concept has been touched upon. Further, details on the subdivision of these components can find place in the script. For example, if an article describing the versatility of vaccines has to be given proper shape, then the main concept of what vaccines actually are and how they endow the human body with the power to raise a counter attack against an invading pathogen must be clearly explained.

Next, the vaccine formulation techniques, both conventional and modern methods of devising vaccines, can find a suitable place in text. This could be part of the main text or may be given in separate boxes for greater clarity and emphasis. The superiority of genetic engineering methods over conventional techniques to formulate vaccines for hitherto unconquerable diseases could be touched upon as the story develops. Details of developing modern vaccines by applying various biotechniques could be given in appropriate format keeping in view the target audience. The fact that vaccines not only provide protective immunity but could also have a therapeutic potential, like leprosy vaccine, may be focused as yet another component of this article. Details on the different existing leprosy vaccine could thus find a place now. Therefore, it is important to organise a write-up in such a way that the sequence of data provided is not only logical and linked properly but it must also follow a distinct hierarchy of scientific facts/ information where the main theme of the story clearly stands out and does not get diffused in jumbled up information, till the very end of the story. Organising ideas into meaningful clusters and identifying how these cluster are related is, in fact, the key to a good popular science story and this is what the editing process must be based upon.

Unnecessary, careless repetition of data must be strictly avoided in a science write-up. Therefore, all redundant matter placed unconsciously in the text, must be deleted straight away as it only adds to confusion, monotony, and disturbs the main focus of the story.

Just as sentences are meaning units formed by grouping words/ phrases, paragraph are groups of sentences that convey some related points. Similarly, a couple of paragraphs may be gathered to form major subdivisions of a script.

Long paragraphs are normally formed while explaining complex scientific facts. But they certainly make readers concentrate for long, which may sometimes bog readers down, declining their interest in the subject being discussed. Imagine a page of text with only a single paragraph. Would it not be boring to read through such text, as it would reflect on the subject's complexity? On the other hand, formation of several short paragraphs would only confuse readers as it may lead to discontinuity/ fragmentation of readers' concentration on that subject. Therefore, if a script has too long paragraphs or single-sentence paragraphs, they must be organised into average paragraphs, of about 100-150 words, giving thrust on definite points in a meaningful way. Moderately long paragraphs could be formed when a given point needs to be explored in greater details for the purposes of clarity. Shorter paragraph are generally used while summarising about information mentioned previously.

9. Create easy flow in text

For the sake of simplicity, the flow in text could be compared to the flow of water in a river and therefore, reading a script is similar to paddling a boat on the river. Obviously, if the water flows moderately fast and without turbulence, one can paddle safely and can enjoy the trip. Whereas, if the flow of river water is very slow paddling becomes dull and boring and in case it is highly turbulent, navigation becomes difficult and unsafe. The hallmark of a good popular science write-up is that its flow of text must be so smooth sailing or easy to read that even uninitiated readers who have little knowledge of that subject must find it interesting.

Along with editing, good pictures/ illustrations/photographs/ cartoons that act as an aid to understanding the text must be conceptualised for putting them at suitable places in the script. Further, adding catchy captions to these graphics make them more attractive for readers.

Through science editing one may not only earn a living but may also achieve intellectual gratification and sense of fulfilment for spreading the message of science far and wide. Societal benefits that accrue from this profession are enormous as dissemination of scientific information helps to inculcate rational thinking and scientific temperament amongst the general populace, which in turn, enhances the socio-economic status of people while boosting scientific literacy in the country.

4. ‘The Summing Up’ by Somerset W. Maugham, Penguin Books, New York, 1946. l

The Indian Council for Medical Research recommends that an adult human being should consume at least 300 gram vegetables daily. But the current studies show that the consumption is only 80 gram per day.

The public is now well aware of the fact that the vegetables available in the market are much contaminated with the harmful chemicals used for plant protection. The importance of a vegetable garden on your homestead lies in this aspect. But as far the cities are concerned lack of free ground space is the main impediment in having a vegetable garden. An effective solution to this problem would be the idea of a vegetable garden on the house terrace.

When the plants are grown on the house terrace there is ample provision for sunlight or shade formation by big trees. Also the practice of growing, only a fixed number of plants in a confined area of soil prevents to a great extent the interspecific & intraspecific competition for manure and water between the plants. Hence on the terrace, even with average management the plants will grow vigorously and give good yield.

The facilities needed for farming on terrace include plant pots or polythene bags of empty cement or fertilizer bags, water source and growth medium for the plants. Empty cement or fertiliser bags are the least expensive and most convenient. It has to be kept in mind that the preparation of an adequate potting mixture as growing medium for the plants is necessary. Sand, soil and powdered cow dung mixed in 1:1:1 proportions is the best one.

If polythene cover is used for growing 5 or 6 holes for drainage are to be made on either side. Such a measure is noted in the case of empty cement bags as they have numerous holes throughout. In the case of pots, there should be one or two draining holes at the bottom and they have to be covered using tile pieces, before filing the potting mixture. Alternatively in the case of polythene bags, coconut fibber or gravel can be used to cover the holes.

If plastic bags are used, the bags have to be folded inward at the top to a few inches. Then sand has to be filled to a thickness of 2 inches. Over this the potting mixture is to be filled so as to reach about 1 & 1/2 feet height and 1 feet perimeter. Pushing in the two sides of the bags at the bottom will make the base circular and prevent the base from topping. The filled bags can be supported against the parapet wall of the terrace with adequate spacing in between.

It has to be noted that while selecting varieties for growing on the terrace, yield and pest resistance are to be given importance. Such good yielding and disease resistant varieties can be obtained from the College of Agriculture, Kerala University and Seed production centres of Agricultural department.

Experiences have shown that the SWETHA variety of Bringal, WALA variety of Chilly, ARUN and KANNARA LOCAL varieties of Amaranthus are capable of providing good yield when grown on the terrace.

The seed of Bhindi, Cowpea, Bitter gourd and Snake ground can be sown directly on to the bags at the rate of 3 or 4 seeds per bag. Upon germination, one or two healthy and vigorous seedlings have to be retained. Proper shading has to be provided for the seedlings during summer season. For trailing plants like Cowpea, Bitter gourd and Snake gourd pandas are to be provided.

As far as possible go in for Organic farming. Dried cow dung of poultry manure of vermicompost can be, added, handful to each bag.

At an interval of two weeks, 7 : 10 : 5 fertilizer mixture can be given at the rate of one teaspoon per bag. Bone meal can be used at times. Proper care has to be taken to prevent the fertilizer from falling on leaves and stem. After addition of manure, the surface soil around the plants has to be stirred a little.

Neem cake and Ground nut cake can very well be used as manure. Also this increases the population of beneficial micro organisms in soil antagonistic to disease producing fungi and thus avoid diseases. Also the neem cake inhibits the population of root-attacking nematode pests in the soil. Dried algal material seen in plenty during rainy season can also be good manure. Also the fallen leaves can be collected and used as leaf manure.

Since there will be plenty of sunshine and higher temperature over the terrace, it is necessary to provide adequate irrigation for the plants. It is best to sprinkle water in small quantities in morning and evening. If water tank is present on the terrace water can be made available though out the year.

The weeds and pests have to be hand picked as and when they are noticed and destroyed. Apart form this the infested or infected plant pots have also got to be destroyed. Tobacco emulsion can be used to control Aphids, bugs and Caterpillars. Likewise, Neem oil emulsion is sufficient to destroy the sucking pests which attack Ladies finger, Brinjal and Bitter gourd.

After harvesting the vegetables form 1 bag, some other vegetables can be grown for once before changing the soil.

To prevent leak form the terrace, spread a Polythene sheet on the terrace and keep the bags on that. Reduce the quantity of soil and thus the weight by using coir pith. To conserve water, fix drip irrigation using disposable saline bottles. As far as possible, try to reduce usage of chemical fertilizer in the terrace garden.

Have you heard of a vegetable garden on the house terrace? Yes, it is the lack of free ground space which compels man to exercise their gardening skills on the terrace of the house. Plants grow quite well on the house terrace due to the ample provision of sunlight, besides as only a fixed number of plants are grown in a confined area of soil, there is no inter-specific and intra-specific competition for manure and water among the plant species.

All that you need for farming on terrace

• To prevent leakages form the terrace, spread a polythene sheet on the terrace for placing the bags/pots.

• Reduce the quantity of soil by using coir pith.

• To conserve water, fix drip irrigation using disposable saline bottles.

• As far as possible, try to reduce usage of chemical fertilizers.