Vigyan Prasar Information System(VIPRIS)

VIPRIS is a repository of background information on various aspects of Science & Technology. It deals with processing, collecting, collating and disseminating vast amounts of scientific and technological information from a variety of sources.

VIPRIS intends to maintain anything and everything of Science in India and cater to the needs of different groups of science communicators, teachers, students and the general public. Accordingly, VP has initiated a number of activities under VIPRIS as described below:

• Vigyan Prasar Homepage (http//www.vigyanprasar.com) was launched in September 1996. The homepage provides information on the activities of Vigyan Prasar and includes features like: Daily science news, Online popular science magazine called "ComCom" covering feature article, development stories on S & T subjects, Online Chat, World of Science, Ham Radio, Children's Corner and S & T Systems in India. The design and content of the homepage are periodically upgraded.

• Databases on comprehensive, wide and useful ranges of subjects like scientific institutions, eminent scientists, S & T awards etc. have been completed and are continuously updated. A search engine and data loading software has been acquired for building up of these databases. The first phase of the environment database has been loaded on the search engine.

• The CD-ROM on eclipses and related phenomena, titled "Celestial Shadow Play" developed on the occasion of total solar eclipse on August 11, 1999, is being revised for use during similar events in future in other parts of the world.

• VIPRIS Clipset is a compilation of news items/articles both in Hindi and English on science and technology, collected from 125 major newspapers/news magazines from around the country and circulated fortnightly on subscription basis. It is a compilation of articles/news items covering a wide array of scientific subjects and of relevance to teachers, students and the general public.

• Dream 2047', the in-house newsletter of Vigyan Prasar, covers the activities of VP, S & T heritage of India, life and works of scientists, scientific institutions in the country and articles on topics of general interest. The editorials have evoked good response from readers on various issues with bearing on science and science communication.