Coverage of science in Indian mass media, especially television, has been very poor. One reason, often heard in media circles, is the absence of a mechanism to cover stories of latest R&D developments from the science and technology institutions in the country. To bridge the gap between Mass media and R&D institutions, Vigyan Prasar has recently launched a science video feature on experimental basis.

 Six feature stories have been produced; three features on National Bureau of Plant Genetic resources and three on latest developments from the National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi. The feature stories cover the profile of the largest gene bank in the world the NBPGR, various Ex-situ techniques to conserve seeds and a report on the plant quarantine division.

 The stories from NPL cover the Teleclock service on transmit Time Data digitally through a telephone line, the SODAR Sound Detection and Ranging technique for air pollution management and the piezoelectric Accelerometer PL-810 to measure vibrations. R&D organizations may write to us for covering interesting Research and Development works happening in their laboratories. 

National Repository of Science & Technology Videos

Vigyan Prasars initiative to set-up a National Repository of Science & Technology (S&T) videos has received excellent response from almost each of the 250 research institutes and organisations contacted for this purpose. Encouraged by this, Vigyan Prasar is moving ahead to work out all the necessary logistics for the repository. Meanwhile, the VHS(PAL) copies of the S&T videos produced by various organisations have started pouring in. Thus the stage is set to bring together, at one place, the entire range of videos on science and technology produced in the country. In this manner the repository will not only be documenting the contemporary history of Indian science, it will also act as a nodal centre systematically catalogue, preserve, store and retrieve the science videos. By sharing information on the available videos, the repository could help to avoid duplications of efforts and facilities exchange of footage etc. amongst the producers of such videos. To bridge the gap between the viewers and the videos, Vigyan Prasar would pick and choose videos available with the repository and consider screening them by organising travelling video festivals in different parts of country. 

Following are the videos contributed by various research organisations to the National Repository of S&T Videos. 

Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research Kalpakkam 603 102, Tamil Nadu 

1.      Fast Breeder Test Reactor: Key to abundant energy

2.      IGCAR -  A Brief Tour 

Centre for Research in Medical Entomology No.-4, Sarojini Street, Chinna Chokkikulam Madurai 625 002 

3.      Epidemology of Japanese Encephalitis

4.      Biodiversity of Mosquitoes  

Central Manufacturing Technology Institute, Bangalore 560 220 

5.      Activities of Central Manufacturing Technology Institute 

Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Dr. Nanabhai Moos Marg Colaba R.C. Church, Mumbai 400 005 

6.      IIG: 150 Glorious Years  

Raman Research Institute 
C. V. Raman Avenue Sadashivanagar, Bangalore 560 080 

7.      Evolution in Biology and in Astronomy Sir Fred Hoyle

8.      Message of Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi for the development of tribal people in India- Dr. H. Sudershan

9.      On Medicine, Science and Humanism Dr. P.K. Seth

10.  The Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics: Ashish Nandy

11.  Your Culture is your Identity: Dr. Habib Tanvir

12.  Pulsar and Relativistic Gravity: Prof. Joe Taylor

13.  Was Einstein Right: Dr. Cliford M.Will

14.  Mahatama Gandhi A Sage of the Scientific Age: Dr. C. Subramaniam

15.  The Uniqueness of man in the Upanishads and modern Science: H.H.Swami Ranganathananda

16.  Cosmic rays, star formation and Star brust: Prof.R.D.Ekers

17.  The Scientific Temper: Sir Hermann Bondi

18.  Verbal Caricatures of our leaders, Our people and our time: R.K.Laxman

19.  Birds Flight: Prof. S.Dhawan

20.  A Pilgrims Progress: Krishan Khanna

21.  Economic Reforms, Poverty Eradication, Self Reliance and Ethical Value: Dr. Manmohan Singh 

Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore 641 007, Tamil Nadu 

22.  New Sugarcane Varieties

23.  Early Planting in Sugarcane

24.  Sugarcane Seed Nursery Programme

25.  Biofertilizers I

26.  Micropropagation in Sugarcane

27.  Sugarcane germplasm

28.  Breeding techniques I & II

29.  Sugarcane pest and disease management

30.  Bio fertilizers II

31.  Sugarcane Breeding Institute 

Central Soil & material, Research Station Olof Palme Marg, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110 016 

32.  Remote Operated Vehicle 

Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre Bidhan Nagar, Calcutta 700 064 

33.  Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre 

Central Leather Research Institute Adyar, Chennai 600 020

34.  A Silent Transformation: Wet Blue Chrome Processing

35.  LTM : a mission with a human face

36.  Kalluppatti, Fallen Caracass Utilisation (FCU)

37.  East India tanning

38.  Wealth from waste

39.  East India Tanning: A distinct expression

40.  Relating leather technology to the society

41.  Eco Friendly processing/ Modernization

42.  Trading gives way to modernization An Indian Experience

43.  Chrome Management

44.  Relating leather technology to the society (Marathi) 

Radio Programmes:

Radio as a means of science popularization has always played a vital role in India due to its all pervading reach and affordability of the masses. Vigyan Prasar (VP) has always been striving to utilize this medium in its efforts to take science to the people. As a result three very successful serials were jointly produced and broadcast since 1997; viz Paryavaran Calling with AIR Bhopal, Bipanna Basudha  with AIR Guwahati, and Chhoo Mantar with AIR Delhi. All Indian Radio, Dibrugarh (AIRD) took keen interest to collaborate with Vigyan Prasar and produce a 26-part science serial Prithivi Aur Antariksha (the Earth and the Space). 

Paryavaran Calling:

The idea was to inculcate scientific attitude and awareness about all aspects of environment among the masses. The programme was broadcast from January 1998 to December 1998. 

Chhoo-Mantar:

A 52 episode radio serial CHHOO-MANTAR, jointly produced by Vigyan Prasar and AIR, Delhi. (The programme started on October 3, 1998 and was broadcast every Saturday between 8.00 and 8.30 p.m.) The serial was an interactive programme dealing with the science behind so called miracles. 

Bipanna Basudha( the endangered earth): 

A radio serial Bipanna Basudha (the endangered earth) was on air jointly by Vigyan Prasar and AIR, Guwahati. This 13-episode Assamese serial dealt with science, technology, environment and ecology. Each episode  started with a dramatised version of the theme followed by quizess, experts comments, interesting news clips, etc. for 10 minutes. Best of the Assamese science writers and thematic experts of Assam were involved in this AIR-VP joint project. 

Prithivi Aur Antariksha (the Earth and the Space):

Another radio serial will be  broadcast from AIR, Dibrugarh from March 6,2001 in Assamese. Recently a workshop to plan for this serial and identify the topics, experts and to finalize operational aspects, was organised by VP at Dibrugarh. About 30 experts from academic institutions, research laboratories and science popularizing agencies participated in this workshop jointly organised by AIRD and VP. Dr. Devdas Kakati, Vice-Chancellor of the University, inaugurated the workshop on 24 January 2001 in the presence of a host of eminent personalities of Assam. Dr. Kakati appealed to the scientific community to address to the needs of the society.

This longest ever science serial on Radio is now available in sets of audio cassettes. The serial, produced jointly by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication(NCSTC) and the All India Radio (AIR), presents the fascinating story of human evolution; the story of the universe; the solar system; the earth; nature of matter; how life began and evolved; how human beings gradually emerged from the caves and moved on to the metropolis; ancient civilisations; great explorations and spectacular achievements. It consciously highlights Indian examples and contributions in different spheres. Besides giving a broad outline of this story, the programme invites listeners to delve deeper into the mysteries of nature.

The entire programme is divided into 17 segments and is available as a set of 55 cassettes. It can be purchased from Vigyan Prasar.

Bharat Ki Chaap :-

For customers outside India, the cost of each set of 13 VHS cassettes along with an illustrated companion book of 140 pages is US $ 400.00 including packing and forwarding charges. The book is also available separately at a cost of US $ 15.00 only.

Slide Sets

NCSTC slide sets are available with Vigyan Prasar as listed below. They are accompanied by basic scripts in English/Hindi for the slide shows. Numbers in parenthesis indicate the number of slides in the set.

• Man & Environment (66)
  A vivid presentation of man and his surroundings from the ancient times to this day. The why and how of stopping the pollution of our planet in a nutshell.
  
   
• Leprosy (37)
  A telling commentary on the sorry state of leprosy in India. A slide show that is a must for educating people in the eradication of leprosy.
  
   
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  Into the Cosmos (59)
  A fascinating journey into the astronomical wonders, right from our solar system to faraway galaxies.
  
   

• Diarrhoea (41)
  All over the world childhood diarrhoea is a major cause of death and suffering. This is more so in countries where the living conditions predispose children to this disease. Every six seconds, somewhere in the world, one child dies of this deadly disease.
  
   
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  Disease of Nutritional Deficiency (48)
  Presents a picture of diseases caused by nutritional deficiency in the form of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals.
  
   

• Women's Reproductive System (31)
  A slide show depicting the structure and operation of the reproductive system of women. It will also help in clear understanding of menstrual-cycle, male reproductive organs, determination of sex of a child, causes of sterility, dangerous methods of abortion, pregnancy, birth control methods and many other associated topics.
  
   
• Understanding Forests (59)
  Forests offer abode to a diversity of species of animals and plants. The slide show takes us on a ride through the inside of the world... and explains what should be done to promote agro-forestry to satisfy our fuel, fibre and timber needs.
  
   
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  Man & Evolution (24)
  The engrossing tale about origin and evolution of human species through the last 20 million years.
  
   

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  Food Adulteration (60)
  We all know that a citizen in our country has to toil to get two square meals a day. But do we know what all of us get in our food? Adulteration of food is on the rise and before it finishes us we should finish it.
  
   

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  Development of Technology in Agriculture (58)
  A story of digging technology from the digging stick to tractors. It is developed through dialogues and visuals. Four characters Kamal, Dada, Maria and commentator are involved.
  
   

• Science for Peace (81)
  A delightful space-adventure on space ship mother Earth. The spaceship is in danger from possible nuclear holocaust. Scientists have already warned the people. The slide show offers an insight into the devastating effect of atomic war on mankind.