A state level training workshop on ‘Enhancing Science Coverage in Electronic Media’ was organised at the Centre for Communication, Languages and Culture; Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), Ludhiana during April 1 - 4, 2003.

The objectives for organising this workshop were mainly to aim at greater scientific content over electronic media. These included :

• Identification of subject experts on electronic media at local level.

• Identification and training of individuals interested in reporting science through radio/ television.

• Development of scripts for electronic media (both radio and television).

The workshop was attended by 30 participants who were scientists, researchers, teachers interested in science writing for radio and television. Ninety percent of the participants were selected on the basis of their interest in the subject, while 10 percent were nominated.

The participants were exposed to the task of writing for electronic media from the very first session in this highly productive workshop, in which every participant came out with at least a script of his own and participated in developing the scripts by others. It was indeed interesting to see the participants churning out reasonably good concepts as well as scripts for various programme formats of electronic media. The resource persons included a mix of national and local individuals of standing in the different areas of science communication.

The workshop was catalysed and supported by the National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Deptt. of Science & Technology and organised jointly by the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology and Dept.of Extension Education, PAU, Ludhiana.

Scientoon (science cartoon) is an excellent mode for communicating science, which is obtained by combining skills of cartooning with science. But, this sharply interesting art might also strike at your ears instead of eyes.

In a first attempt to make the scientoons and its message reach a larger audience, the All India Radio (AIR), Lucknow has produced a three minute programme based on the current problem of water crisis.

The art of scientoons, the original creation of Pradeep K. Srivastava, a scientist from the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow have been recognised all over the world as an effective visual medium for communicating science.

The three-minute programme was broadcast from all primary channels of the 210 stations of AIR all over the country in July, 2003. Scientoon showing a crow dying after being unable to raise the level of water in a pot despite putting pebbles and stones the whole day, was chosen for radio conversion.

The Gujarat Council of Science City conducted a four day state level workshop on Popular Science Writing , Illustrations and Journalism at Gujarat Science City from 28th April to 1st May, 2003.

The basic objective of the workshop was to train science teachers and science communicators on science, technology and societal issues and that how science and technology could be harnessed to solve complex problems in the society. The workshop was catalysed and supported by the National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Dept. of Science and Technology, New Delhi.

About 45 participants from all over the state of Gujarat attended the workshop and learned the basic techniques of popular science writing, reporting and illustrations besides skills in writing scientific stories, articles for different media as well as the sophisticated electronic media.

The participants were from various District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs), Community Science Centres, reporters of regional news papers and some enthusiastic science writers and illustrators.

During the workshop, the participants underwent the process of training on the art of science writing, editing, illustrations, translations and conducting interviews. All India Radio, Ahmedabad exposed them to various facilities of the Radio Station.

The challenge is to evolve science writing and reporting that matures beyond merely capitalising on public enthusiasm for science. It will help in generating true public appreciation and understanding of science.

"We think we can do it", was the feedback from most of the participants.

As an immediate follow up to the above workshop, many of the participants are now working for the science programs of All India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra at Ahmedabad, whereas some others have now begun contributing to the local newspapers.

Publishing of science and technical journals may see foreign players entering India soon, as Government of India has permitted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 per cent for printing scientific and technical magazines, periodicals and journals.

FDI in this sector would be permissible with prior government approval and subject to compliance with the legal framework as applicable and guidelines issued in this regard from time to time by the Ministry if Information and Broadcasting.

The decision is being seen as the shot in arm for science popularisation and science communication in the country. This revision of existing guidelines for equity cap on FDI has come after a long debate in the Parliament and outside in media circles.

The presence of international science journals published from India so far, have been far from satisfactory. The sector may now see an spurt in activities.

Young Indian scientists/ students attended the 53rd Meeting of Nobal Laureats and Students in Germany from June 30 to July 4, 2003. This year was earmarked for Physiology and Medicine. Nobel Laureates in Physics, Chemistry and Physiology and Medicine have been meeting altematively in Lindau, Germany for one week every year since 1951. The purpose of the meeting was open and informal contact between Laureates and students and young researchers through round table debates, lectures and personal small group discussions. About 500 young students/ resarchers from 20 countries took part in the event, which was attended by 17 Nobel Laureates.

These annual meetings are organised by the Committee for the Meetings of Nobel Prize Winnners and Students in Lindau, headed by the Countess Sonja Bernadotte of Wisborg, Sweden and Mainau Castle, Germany. These annual gatherings are a forum for encounters and international communication of a kind that is probably unique anywhere in the world. It is a forum for inspiration for the young and happy reunions for the Laureates.

Deptt. of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, in June 2001 launched a scheme "DST awards for participation in the meeting of Noble Laureates & Students in Lindau'' on an invitation of the Lindau Committee for participation by young students and scientists from India. Since then three teams of 17, 20 and 20 young scientists have been sponsored to the Lindau meetings in 2001, 2002 and 2003 in the field of Physics, Chemistry and Physiology/ Medicine, respectively. The teams are selected through an open call for applications and rigorous selection mechanism.

Before leaving for the Lindau meeting, the Indian team interacted with eminent Indian scientists in the respective fields and also visited some premier institutions to help them optimise their interactions in the actual Lindau meeting.

In addion to the common programmes, Indian team also got two exclusive opportunities to interact with Laureates through dinner meetings. A two hour informal discussion between students and Nobel Laureates was very popular with the young scientists. The Students revealed that they could ask questions more freely to the Nobel Laureates than they could do with senior scientists in their own laboratories. Some of their expressions as reproduced below, convey the feelings better :

‘‘They were not unlike us, they are after all humans too. One striking thing about them was that they let their work talk and do not have the air of exclusivity about them’’.

"I found them very simple and hard working poeple from different disciplines without any internal conflict. They are very good leaders with a great sence of teamwork".