MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) The Ministry of Science & Technology (S&T) has taken several measures to promote the scientific temper, particularly among students, and to attract them at an early stage to study science. It has instituted scholarships/fellowships for the purpose of capacity building through critical human resource pool.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST)’s Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) Scholarships and `Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research` (INSPIRE) scheme are being implemented for the purpose. DST has been implementing a programme “Explaining Science behind Miracles” for the past two decades aimed at providing appropriate scientific explanations for miracles/ superstitions.
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is supporting an integrated Human Resource Development programme through teaching programmes, Short term training courses, Karnataka Biotechnology Finishing school programmes etc. to bridge the gap between industry and academia and to enhance employability of students.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has taken up several initiatives to inculcate scientific temper amongst the youth. The CSIR laboratories invite children from schools on various occasions such as National Science/ Technology Day, CSIR/ Laboratory Foundation Day to create awareness about the challenges and excitement of doing science. CSIR has instituted the `CSIR Innovation Award` for school children to promote intellectual property and invention related interests and awareness. Three well-circulated popular science magazines published by CSIR for science dissemination are Science Reporter (English, monthly), Vigyan Pragati (Hindi, monthly) and Science-ki-Duniya (Urdu, quarterly). The articles in these publications include contemporary science topics, amazing scientific facts, inventions and discoveries, science projects, biography of scientists, puzzles, quizzes, crosswords, humour and fiction. CSIR also publishes the “Journal of Scientific Temper” focused at original research articles in the area of public understanding and attitude towards science and technology.
(b) DST has been organizing a number of training programmes and also offers financial supports for organizing training workshops. The focal theme of celebration of National Science Day in 2013-14 was “Fostering Scientific Temper”.
DBT has been organizing exhibitions to publicize its activities, products and technologies under DBT programmes. DBT is also providing support for organizing seminars and symposia and travel grant for young students for participation in national and international conferences to present their research contributions.
CSIR, including its constituent laboratories, organizes and participates in exhibitions and awareness programmes. A large scale awareness programme “CSIR Technofest” was organized during the “International Trade Fair” held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi during 14-27 November 2010 to showcase the Council’s scientific and technological strengths. Further, CSIR participates in regular theme events in India, adhoc theme events and regional events in India and International theme events abroad. A list of all such events during the Eleventh and Twelve Five Year Plan is enclosed in Annexure 1.
(c) to(e) CSIR has been providing the knowledgebase needed for the socio-economic development of the country including rural areas and small towns. During the Eleventh Five Year Plan CSIR under the Rural, SC/ST, Women, North-East & Tribals Sector (RSWNET) projects adopted villages to promote technology adoption and thereby employment generation. CSIR has been doing activities related to rural development, focused at bringing in desired S&T interventions for improving the quality of life of people at the base of the economic pyramid and removing drudgery. Details of the technology provided to rural areas and small towns are available in Annexure 2.
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