t was the privilege of fourteen , Natural Sciences students of Final B.Sc, accompanied by Mrs Saramma E P, HOD, Zoology to participate in the Symposium on “Science Journalism & Science Communication” at CSIR- Central Food Technological Research Institute ,Mysuru held in Association with Vigyan Prasar , New Delhi, at Cheluvamba Hall,CSIR- CFTRI on 13 August 2019 .
The Inaugural function was graced by Sri Nagesh Hegde, Veteran Science Journalist, Bengaluru and was presided by Dr R Subrahmanian, the Senior Scientist & Director, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru.
During inaugural address, both Sri Nagesh Hegde &Dr R Subrahmanian opined that the Science Communicators should play a key role and influence the policy makers so that solutions for day today problems of common people could be developed and benefits of research can reach every one.
Technical sessions were conducted by renowned, award winning journalists & authors reporting on Science, Environment & Health for National & International Media. The students were exposed to various aspects of Science Communication, its need & the challenges.
Media is the epicenter of imparting knowledge & thereby all developments. It plays a crucial role in connecting a lay man with scientific inventions. With this perspective, the participants were informed on the recent developments in Science & Technology, the need to enable people to take up informal & rational decisions &hereby to strengthen their decision making abilities. The necessity of development of scientific temper through rekindling of interest in young minds was urged upon. Possibility of enhancement of public understanding of Science Communication & Scientific Communication for truth based knowledge were discussed thereby to attain the objectives of taking Science to Non-Science community at large.
Call was given to Science Journalists & Science Communicators to reach out to the public especially in regional languages by the convener of the Symposium, Kollegal Sharma, the Senior Scientist, CFTRI. Elaborating on the efforts of Vigyan Prasar to promote Research ,Dinesh C Sharma, Managing Editor, India Science Wire (a National level Science Magazine) described precisely the shortcomings of Science Journalism in India. The shrinking space for Science & Technology in mainstream media was highlighted by panelists in the discussion chaired by Prof. Usha Rani, Media Consultant & Former Professor, University of Mysore.
The symposia provided a rich experience to the students in knowing the importance of Science Journalism through participation and interactions with the luminaries in the field which in turn has motivated them towards being Science Communicators even at their individual levels.
