State level convention of SCoPE-Assamese at MCJ Dept, Tezpur University

HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Nov 24: The first state-level convention in Science and Technology Communication, Popularization and Extension (SCOPE-Assamese) at department of Mass Communication & Journalism of Tezpur University started on Wednesday with a two-day programme at the joint venture of Vigyan Prasar and Tezpur University.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Nakul Parashar, programme director, Vigyan Prasar of department of Science and Technology, Delhi said, “Popularisation through science communication is highly important in the present day world. Further, some of the volumes of science communication that is with the elites are not reaching out to the grassroots level of the society.”
“The moment we try to talk about science and technology through our mother tongue, we immediately build a good rapport with the opposite party,” he added.
Dr Parashar also mentioned Vigyan Katha, Arraviel Palagai both of which are eminent science magazines published in Indian languages.
On the other hand, Prof (Dr) Arup Kumar Mishra, chairman, Pollution Control Board, Assam and also chairman of the core committee of SCoPE-Assamese spoke about the need for professional training in the field. He also said that the prominence that science communication should have received, still doesn’t exist.
“People still think that science communication does not need to be sensationalised. Not even the media or the government recognises the importance of science communication,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kinkini Dasgupta Mishra, nodal officer for SCoPE-Bhasha project of VP elaborated on the scope and various aspects of the project and why cooperation of all sections of society was needed for achieving the set goals of the project.
Representatives from several prominent organisations working in Assam Science Society, Assam Science Writers’ Association, Aranyak and science communicators from different institutions attended the programme and offered valuable and meaningful suggestions for facilitating the programme in future.
An MoU was also signed between VP and TU in this direction for starting a new era in the path of science communication in Assamese language. The venture to popularise science and technology contents in Assamese language was initiated in 2021.
Prof Abhijit Bora, principal investigator of the project and head of the MCJ department of Tezpur University also spoke on the occasion.