India International Science Festival 2023 to Host Vigyanika: A Science Literature Extravaganza

New Delhi:  The India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 is set to host Vigyanika, a science literature festival, at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) – Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) campus in Faridabad, Haryana, on January 17th and 20th, 2024. Coordinated by CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF), and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), Vigyanika aims to showcase India’s scientific achievements and establish an effective communication roadmap for Science and Technology (S&T).

On January 18th, the festival will feature a scientific session, “Science and Technology Public Outreach in India,” chaired by Prof B N Jagatap, with experts like Dr. Dinakar M. Salunke, Prof KC Bansal, and Prof (Dr) Uma Kumar. The panel discussion, “Apni Bhasha Apna Vigyan: Strengthening Sci Comm in Indian Languages,” will include science communicators in Hindi, Punjabi, Manipuri, Tamil, Assamese, and Malayalam.

A workshop on popular science writing, a session on “Science Communication in India: Current Trends, Opportunities and Challenges,” and a cultural program blending arts and science are also scheduled for Day 1.

Day 2, January 19th, will feature a panel discussion on “Creative Science Communication through Films, Podcasts & Social Media,” and a panel on “Challenges in Traditional Knowledge Research & Communication.” Additional events include a drawing and quiz competition for school students, a Vigyan Kavi Sammelan, and a special session on “Science communication for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”

The valedictory session, focusing on “Science communication for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” will include internationally acclaimed author Mr. Marc Prensky and Dr. Sharmila Binti Md. Salleh, CEO at Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM).

Vigyanika 2023 coordinators are Dr. Paramananda Barman & Dr. Monika Jaggi from CSIR-NIScPR, Dr. Nitin Maurya & Rahul Prakash from NIF, and Dr. Madhav Govind & Dr. Neel Sarovar Bhavesh from VIBHA.

The Science Media Communication Cell (SMCC) at CSIR-NIScPR is facilitating media publicity for IISF 2023, aiming to disseminate India’s R&D breakthroughs and scientific achievements across various media platforms.