Govt Introduces Special Schemes to Popularize Science

New Delhi: National Science and Technology Communication Council (NCSTC), Vigyan Prasar and many laboratories of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) main focus is to popularize science and technology among all sections of the society and states.

As per sources, some of these activities address the general community. However, dedicated programmes have been planned by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Schedule Tribes (ST). These programmes are delivered through community based organizations with a focus on application of science and technology for adding value to locally available natural resources. Training workshops and science awareness activities are conducted for social groups belonging to these communities.

Besides, popularization of science among the SC/ST population is coupled also to skill development, technology information, capacity enhancement and knowledge about value addition to locally available natural resources. On an average, 20 programmes per year are being organized to address exclusively the science and technology initiatives for SC/ST population.

In India, the north-eastern region has gained special attention from the ministry of Science and Technology for special interventions. DST has developed a special package for promoting science education in colleges in the North Eastern Region. Also, support has been extended to 58 colleges for the upgradation of laboratory facilities for science education.

In the period 2009-10, more than 40 projects on science popularization for NE region have been supported. CSIR has been conducting the Programme on Youth for Leadership in Science (CPYLS) for the students of NE states through North-East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat.

Furthermore, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has implemented programmes for supporting education in life sciences and biotechnology areas. Special programmes for adding values to natural resources from the region have been conducted by DBT.