Idea of vigyanika: Popularizing science through literature

Drama is a combination of multiple art forms and thus can be one of the most popular means of science communication. Science stories on the other hand, has a lot of recall value, hence emerged an important means of science communication as well. The main objective is to ward off superstitions and myths from the society and make people more aware on the advancements of science, technology and innovation

One day in the year 2019, a question arose in my mind - what is the feminine word for science in Hindi? Searched, and found that there exists no such word at all. Then I thought to add a new word to the Hindi dictionary and this is how vigyanika took shape, the idea of vigyanika is to popularise science to the masses through a medley of poetry, stories, drama, folk arts and other common means of communication.

To take this idea forward, a one-day workshop of scientists, science communicators and literary persons was organized on July 23, 2019 at the prithvi bhawan office of vigyan prasar, an autonomous organization of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. In the workshop, experts of the scientific literature discussed the outline of Vigyanika. In this workshop, it was also decided to invite science poetry and songs from different parts of the country. A lot of science poems were received from across the country and best entries were shortlisted by the selection committee. The first mega show of vigyanika-international science literature festival was held in Kolkata during the India international science festival (iisf) in 2019. The event was coordinated by the Csir-national institute of science communication and information resources (Csir-niscair), vigyan prasar, and vigyan bharati.

Vigyanika reached out to science lovers through four components of science communication: Vigyan manthan or discussions on challenges and opportunities on communication of contemporary scientific issues, vigyan spandan through debates, papers and abstracts from experts, communicators, vigyan manchan or 'staging' science through drama, poetry and other art forms and vigyan prakashan, which showcased science publications through a book fair. Scientists, science communicators, poets, artists, teachers and students from all over the country actively participated in the vigyanika and shared their experiences related to the ways to convey scientific ideas. Young students and children, however, were the main target audience of the event.

Inspired by the international science literature festival- vigyanika, successfully organised at Kolkata, this idea took a further step in producing a TV series for the DD science, a one-hour programme slot on doordarshan national channel. After consulting with the team vigyanika, 13 episodes of vigyanika - vigyan kavi sammelan were approved by Dr Nakul Parashar, director, vigyan prasar. It was decided that vigyanika kavi sammelan would be organized in different cities of the country. The telecast of vigyanika kavi sammelan, Kolkata on DD science were highly appreciated by the audience. Inspired by the great responses of first episode of vigyanika, the second event of vigyan kavi sammelan was organised at the scholars academy, Roorkee on February 18, 2020. In the wonderful confluence of science and literature, famous poets rendered their science poetries. A unique initiative of vigyan prasar - vigyanika (vigyan kavi sammelan) was grandly organized at Rabindra Nath Tagore University, Bhopal on February 25, in which famous poets rendered their poetries. The third episode of vigyanika was grandly organized at Dr CV Raman University (CVRU) Bilaspur on February 27, 2020.

After the telecast of third episode of vigyanika, WHO declared novel Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak as a pandemic. During the lockdown period, vigyanika series continued via online medium. And this is how international edition of vigyanika came into being. Poets from all over the world started participating and rendering their science poetries, which is a proof of how science can be expressed simply and effectively.

Vigyanika is now planning to invite creativities from students from schools and colleges. The idea is to make students more creative as learning sets in from a very early stage in life. At this age, there is more curiosity and inquisitiveness in students and they can enjoy learning and doing science.

While one segment of vigyanika is all about taking science to the masses through poetry, the other segments include popularising science through stories, drama and folk arts. Drama is a combination of multiple art forms and thus can be one of the most popular means of science communication. Science stories on the other hand, has a lot of recall value, hence emerged an important means of science communication as well. The main objective is to ward off superstitions and myths from the society and make people more aware on the advancements of science, technology and innovation.