By K Jayadev
Vigyan Prasar was founded in 1989, and in its short time in operation, it has accomplished the unthinkable by bringing science to the public with a skeleton workforce of just 10 scientists and about 25 administrative workers. It has published 400 books by eminent scientists and science writers, publications that are read widely outside of English-speaking countries. It releases a bimonthly English and Hindi periodical named Dream 2047.
A recent notice issued by the Government of India has left everyone perplexed. The notice said: “Apart from preparations for the G-20 Science Meetings, the agenda of today’s meet were the review of Science Awards, creation of a new communication structure after the winding up of VigyanPrasar and Sankalp Meetings.” But why is India’s most successful science communication wing being closed?
It is incredible what VigyanPrasar, which was founded in 1989 and has a skeletal staff of just 10 scientists and about 25 administrative workers, has accomplished in its little history of doing science outreach. It has published 400 books by eminent scientists and science writers, publications that are read widely outside of English-speaking countries.
It releases a bimonthly English and Hindi periodical named Dream 2047. The publication, which costs a paltry Rs 20 and is freely accessible online, has 36,000 members and reaches practically all of the country’s public schools.
In addition to Bigyan Katha in Bengali, Sandhan in Assamese, AriviyalPalagai in Tamil, Kutuhali in Kannada, Vijananavani in Telugu, VigyanRatnakar in Maithili, Tajassus in Urdu, Gaash in Kashmiri, and Jigyasa in Punjabi, it also publishes 10 other monthly newsletters in regional languages. Everyone may read all of these for no charge.
In terms of films and videos, which are a more effective form of communication, particularly for science, VigyanPrasar has created 5,000 films till date, including those created for “India Science,” a 24×7 online OTT channel it operates. For the majority of our rural residents and students, these are the only opportunities to study science directly from scientists in a language that ordinary people can comprehend. These are broadcast by Doordarshan and Sansad TV.
Additionally, VigyanPrasar has created more than 3,000 radio science programs in 12 dialects and 19 languages, such as Gondi and Bodo. Each year, it holds more than 50 workshops on various topics related to science and technology for a variety of target audiences, including students, housewives, senior citizens, etc.
For the purpose of spreading science news, it operates the portal “India Science Wire” (ISW). On February 28, five days after the PIB notification informing of its winding up, VigyanPrasar released a book called VigyanVidushi that encapsulated the lives and works of 75 outstanding women scientists of India from the pre-independence period onward during a glittering ceremony presided over by the Minister in charge of S&T on the occasion of National Science Day celebration.
The government is not closing down the organization because it is an inefficient white elephant that squanders a ton of tax dollars. We can see from its annual report that it only received Rs 18.72 crore as a grant from the DST budget of Rs 5,140 crore for the fiscal year 2022.
VP has a small budget of just Rs 14 crore, of which Rs 6.70 crore goes toward program and activity costs, while the remaining Rs 7 crore is allocated to establishment and other costs. The remaining grants are carried over to the following year for use in capital projects.If economy is not the reason for the abrupt decision to close down the organisation, then what prompted it?
