Vigyan Prasar-International Year of Chemistry 2011

National Science Day Theme: “Chemistry in Daily Life” 28th February 2011
1.0 With the realization that it is time to celebrate achievements of chemistry and its contribution to the well-being of human kind the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and UNESCO proclaimed the year 2011 as International Year of Chemistry (IYC-2011). The theme of the IYC-2011 is “Chemistry—Our Life, Our Future”. The objectives of the IYC-2011 are to:
  • Improve the understanding and appreciation of chemistry by the public.
  • Enhance international cooperation by serving as a focal point or information source for activities by national chemical societies, educational institutions, industry, governmental and non-governmental organizations.
  • Promote the role of chemistry in contributing to solutions to global challenges.
  • Build capacity by engaging young people with scientific disciplines, especially the scientific method of analysis developed by hypothesis, experiment, analysis and conclusions.
2.0 Vigyan Prasar (VP) intends to organize nation-wide activities during IYC-2011. It may be noted that VP organized nation-wide activities during the World Year of Physics-2005, International Year of Planet Earth 2008 and International Year of Astronomy 2009. VP has also planned a number of activities during the International Year of Biodiversity 2010.
3.0 For IYC- 2011 VP has tentatively identified the target groups and their needs
Target Groups                                                                            Needs
 I. Middle School Teachers and Students                                 Excitement, interest,
II. Science clubs and coordinators                                          Excitement and understanding
III. High School Teachers and Students                                  Excitement, careers
IV. College Teachers and Students                                         Excitement, careers
V. Housewives                                                                      Simplifying work, saving fuel, adding nutrition, detecting adulterants optimizing detergents, etc.
 VI. Artisans, Small farmers, Industry workers:                       Better fuel efficiency, resource utilization
VII. Consumer                                                                     Empowering her/him
4.0 It has been proposed to conduct independent studies to assess present levels and 2012 levels amongst sample populations to be commissioned.
5.0 VP plans to involve partners like NCSM, RVPSP, three national science academies, Indian Chapter IUPAC, Indian Chemical Society, Indian Chemistry Teachers Association, NCTC Network, Eklavya Universities and others.
6.0 A number of meetings have been organized at VP under the Chairmanship of Director, VP. All scientists of VP were requested to propose activities and identify individuals and organizations who could be associated with VP’s programmes/activities to be undertaken during IYC-2011. The last meeting was organized on July 29, 2010 to finalise the activities proposed by VP scientists. Director, VP urged the scientists to plan the activities in such a way the proposed resource materials get ready by the end of 2010. Dr. Mahanti briefly described the activities already proposed and requested the scientists present to describe the progress made in the activities already proposed by respective scientist and to suggest new activities. Based on the discussion the following activities were identified (the name of the VP scientist who will be responsible for an activity is given in the bracket against that particular activity):

1. Innovative Experiments in Chemistry on the lines of innovative experiments in Physics developed jointly with IIT Kanpur.
2. Audio Programme .
3. Television Programme .
4. Design of Interactive Kit jointly with VIkram Sarabhai Community Science Centre, Ahmedabad and Science City, Gandhinagar.
5. Training of Resource persons for conducting programmes in schools jointly with Science City, Gandhi Nagar and VSCSC, Ahmedabad .
6. Wall Planner jointly with VSCSC, Ahmedabad .
7. Fun with Chemistry jointly with VSCSC, Ahmedabad .
8. Preparing specific materials for agricultural labourers.
9. Preparing specific materials for women self-help groups jointly with KSSP, Thiruvananthapuram and TNSF, Chennai .
10. Hands-on demonstration jointly with Science City, Gandhinagar.
11. A set of posters on chemistry and healthcare jointly with CDRI Lucknow .
12. Food adulteration kit jointly with IITR, Lucknow .
13. Resource materials on Kitchen chemistry jointly with VICT, Mumbai.
14. A CD on power-point presentations on different aspects of chemistry .
15. Innovative multi-media presentations on chemistry .
16. Specific activities/programmes for popularising the life and work of Acharya P.C. Ray jointly with the Science Association of Bengal, Kolkata.
17. Books
A. New Books
i. Pioneers of Modern Chemistry.
ii. The World of Chemical Elements .
iii. Chemistry and Human Life.
iv. Chemistry in Kitchen.
v. What is Chemistry?
vi. A Quiz Book in Chemistry.
vii. Success Stories in Indian Chemistry.
viii. Careers in Chemistry .
ix. A book on Oxygen.
x. Fingerprints of Elements .
xi. Linking major issues like climate change with Chemistry .
xii. A book on highlighting the contributions made by the Nobel Laureates 1901-2009 . Some more titles will be identified
B. Reprinting of the existing books
 i. The Story of Chemistry by Anirban Hazra
 ii. Topsy-turvy in chemistry by Dr. V. B. Kamble Some more titles will be identified
18. Posters—A set of posters will be brought out depicting the growth of chemistry and how it has influenced human life .
19. Popular Lectures in different parts of the country by well-known chemists and science. communicators .
20. Green chemistry .
21. Workshops/training programmes .
22. Articles in Newspapers/Magazines . Attempts will be made to start regular columns in newspapers/magazines.
23. Entrepreneurial activities like soap making .
24. Chemistry behind “Miracles”.
25. Desk Calendar .
The entire programme is divided into following three parts:
 i. Production of resource materials and their dissemination.
 ii. Organising training programmes/Workshops for the identified target groups.
iii. Evaluation of the outcome of each activity.

While some picture has emerged regarding the kind of resource materials to be produced but we are yet to develop a clear picture regarding training programmes. We need to define clear and achievable goals for our reaching out programmes. For each programme we need to develop in-built mechanism for evaluation. A committee consisting of about 20 experts will be formed for monitoring and reviewing the activities.