Brief Biodata: Dr Manoj Patairiya

Dr. Manoj Patairiya (b. 1961) did his M.Sc. in Zoology (Environmental Biology) and M.Sc. (Tech.) and Ph.D. in Science & Technology Communication. He also did Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication and M.B.A. in Human Resource Development. At present, Dr. Patairiya is serving as Director (Scientist ‘F’), at National Council for Science & Technology Communication. He is the editor of an international journal titled “Indian Journal of Science Communication”. He has authored a number of books on science communication, science journalism and popular science topics. Dr. Patairiya’s professional interests included popular science writing, TV and radio anchoring and imparting training to budding science journalists, especially in vernaculars. So far, he has conducted over 200 workshops training around 10000 trainees, including journalists, writers, scientists, teachers, students and science activists, etc. He is a practicing science communicator and is deeply involved in academics and research in science communication and teaches science communication at various universities/ institutions as Visiting Faculty. He is actively associated with the Indian Science Writers’ Association (ISWA). On the event of so-called Milk Miracle (idols drinking milk) in 1995, he took initiative and investigated the hoax and reported the scientific principle behind the phenomenon on Doordarshan news. Dr. Patairiya has been honoured by a number of national and international awards and recognitions; the most recent ones are ‘International Award for Global Advancement of Science Popularization 2003’ by Centre for Global Studies, c/o NASA, Texas, USA and ‘Dr. B.C. Deb Memorial Award for Science Popularization 2000’ by Indian Science Congress Association, Kolkata. Dr. Patairiya is the recipient of prestigious ‘Senior Media Fellowship’ by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency and ‘Konrad Adeneaur Fellowship’ by Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines. He is very much interested and dedicated to the cause of developing science communication profession. Besides his innovative endeavours in the area of science communication, he has two Indian Patents to his credit.

Programmes/ Schemes :

	i) Enhancing science coverage in mass media (Training Workshops)
	ii) Medium-term training courses in science communication/ journalism
	iii) Academic courses in S&T communication at Universities
	iv) Special/ optional papers on science communication/ journalism
	v) Popular science periodicals in Indian languages
	vi) National Science Communication Congress
	vii) Popular science software development
New Initiatives
	i) Indian Journal of Science Communication
	ii) Training for science communication through cultural events
	iii)Training for science communication through digital media
	iv) Public debates on emerging areas/ issues in science and technology
	v) International cooperation in S&T communication

Brief Biodata : Ujjwala T Tirkey

Qualification: M.Sc. (Mathematics), Ranchi University

Joined DST in 1988 and Since then Working in the Area of Science Communication and Popularization

Programmes/ Schemes

• Skill Development Programmes
  
• Low cost Science teaching programmes
  
• Maths popularization through Origami
  
• Astronomy related programmes (Total Solar Eclipse, Transit of Venus)
  
• Competitions among schools students and general public
  
• S&T popularization among blind

New Initiatives

• International Year of Physics -2005
  
• Health & Nutrition programmes among women

Brief Biodata : Dr DK Pandey

Qualification:                  

•  MSc (Botany)
•  Ph.D in Botany- Plant Pathology from Kumaon University, Nainital (Uttranchal).
  
•  Worked as Senior Research Fellow (ICAR) in Division of Mycology & Plant  Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

Past Experience

• Worked in Bioassay Division of Central Insecticide Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperation, New Delhi.
  
• Worked in Soil & Water Conservation Division in Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, New Delhi.
  

Programmes/Schemes being Coordinated

Presently working in Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Prodyogiki Sanchar Parishad (RVPSP) Department of Science and Technology since 1989.

1. National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC)
   
2. National Science Day.
   
3. National Teachers Science Congress.
   
4. Promotion of Innovation: Steer the big Idea.
   
5. Development of Low Cost Kits.
   
6. Short term training programmes for resource teachers.
   
7. Health Awareness
   
8. Collaborative Programme

Qualification: PG degree in Chemistry followed by research in immuno-biochemistry.

Professional Experience

• 17 years of experience of Support to policy formulation, Coordination of programme generation and implementation for promoting R&TD in applied sciences & engineering (especially Polymers, Composites, Bio-medical Engineering).
• 7 years of experience in coordinating testing laboratories’ accreditation against criteria based on ISO guidelines/standards (especially for Photometry, Clinical, Forensic & DNA Fingerprinting disciplines)
• Currently engaged in support to programmes for communicating/ disseminating S&T knowledge for societal needs

Programmes/schemes being Coordinated:

Coordination of /support to emerging programmes under RVPSP for communicating/ disseminating S&T knowledge for societal needs, especially Water Management.

Post YSA (Year of Scientific Awareness 2004), emphasis is on evolving country wide major programmes on six major areas of intervention, out of which the “Water Management” programme of RVPSP is intended to catalyze a culture of water resilience and quality with S&T inputs. Brief Biodata: Mrs. Indu Puri

Qualification:Masters degree in Mathematical Statistics, University of Delhi

Past Expericence: Served as Investigator(Statistics) in Small Industries Service Institute, DC(SSI), GOI, New Delhi from 1986-1990

Programmes/schemes being Coordinated:

Serving NCSTC, DST since 1990 in the area of science communication, popularisation and dissemination through training programmes, research programmes, field programmes and development of subject related software.

Motivational/Contact Programme for Talented School Students

To encourage bright students to select careers in science, NCSTC has developed this programme for class XI science students. The selected students closely interact with the scientists/ teachers in a national S&T laboratory / university science departments in their region for 5-7 days in a batch of 25-30. On the concluding day, competitions are organized on report presentation, debate/speech/essay writing and others, with prizes to the winners.

Through this programme has involved national laboratories and university science departments in science popularization activities.

In less than three years, since this activity was initiated, over fifty (50) programmes have been organized at various places throughout the country, to name a few: R&D Laboratories at RRL (Jorhat), G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (Srinagar Campus, Garhwal and at Gangtok, Sikkim Campus), Planetarium at Bhubaneswar, CAZRI (Jodhpur) ; Universities of Kumaun (Almora Campus), Tezpur (Assam), Karnataka (Dharwad), Punjab (Chandigarh); and P.G. Colleges at Pithoragarh, Cochin, JSS College of Pharmacy, Ootacamund, Burdwan Raj College, etc.

Communities Awareness cum Training Programme for Disaster Preparedness

Gujarat earthquake of January 26, 2001with its epicenter near Bhuj caused some 20,000 confirmed deaths of humans, left more than 1.5 lakh injured spreading its effects in some 21 districts. There was a general criticism of failure of government machinery to reach every affected area in time. This lead to genesis of S&T awareness cum training programmes for representatives of communities for disaster preparedness. Main objective of the programme is to train volunteers to prepare them for any natural or man-made disasters. Focus is on science of disasters, causes and remedies through available resources. Sessions on types of disasters, ignition hazards, safe structures, ecology, first aid, fires and general awareness on fire prevention, Communication Network for Disaster, search and rescue operations, etc. are included.

Since 2002 number of such programmes have been organized in Manipur, Punjab, W.B., T.N., Delhi, U.P. and some other states. The programme has also been selected as one of the major areas of concern under YSA-2004, nation wide programmes are being organized in the form of field programmes like lecture-demonsration series, training programmes.

Detection of Adulteration in Food Stuffs

These days food adulteration is common but serious problem which is rampant in our society. The quality of food sold and consumed by the general public, is many times of inferior quality and adulterated leading to deterioration of their health. Training programme essentially comprises training of voluntary activists, teachers, college students, house holders, etc in Food Quality Control, PFA, adulterant and adulterated foods, certification systems, expiry of food stuffs, common adulterants, their detection through physical and chemical tests, visit to sophisticated laboratories, sessions by medical doctors on importance of food safety, nutrition, etc. Many states have subsequently organized workshops T.N., A.P., Uttranchal, M.P., Punjab, U.P., W.B., Delhi, etc. Number of lecture demonstration programmes have also been organized in various states for the benefit of common man. Under YSA-2004 food safety has emerged out as a major area of concern. The programme is creating awareness through regional and state organizing committees of YSA. Kit and manual are also being replicated in regional languages for nation wide dissemination. Brief Biodata: Dr. Asit Chakrabarti

Qualifications:

1. B.V.Sc & A.H. (1985) from Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar.
   
2. M.V.Sc (1992) in Livestock Production & Management from CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar.
   
3. Ph.D. (2004) in Animal Production & Management from Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat.

Advanced Training:

1. Poultry Management and Farm Economics (1997) from Central Poultry Development Organization, Hessarghatta, Bangalore.
   
2. Technical Advances in Livestock and Poultry Production & Management- Specific Reference to Rural Development (2003) from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
   
3. Sustainable Livestock Production (2004) Mahatma Phule KrishiVidyapeet, Rahuri, Maharashtra.
   
4. Certificate of Proficiency in Computer Application (2002) from Computer Society of India, Guwahati, Assam.
   
5. Certificate of Proficiency in German (1994) from Imperial Institutes, New Delhi.
6. Foundation Training Programme for Scientists and Technologsts (2007) from Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi.
7. Training Programme on Advanced IPR,WTO Related Issues & Patent Writing for Scientists (2008) from Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS), Jaipur.
8. Science for Rural Societies Programme (2009) from CDM, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.

" National Eligibility Test (NET) qualified in 1995 in Livestock Production & Management "

Service Profile:

1. Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, (1986-1993) in Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Tripura.
   
2. Assistant Professor (1994), Kerala Agricultural University.
   
3. Farm Manager (Poultry) (1995-2006), ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre.
   
4. Presently working as Scientist 'C' (2006 on wards) in NCSTC Division, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, New Delhi.

Programme/ Schemes being Coordinated:

1. Animal and Human Health Issues.
   
2. Soil Management.
   
3. Science Exhibhition/ Melas.
   
4. Vigyan Vaad Vivad.
   
5. Visit to Institute where Science & Technology at work.
   
6. National Science Day in States & Union Territories.
   
7. Training Resource Persons in Science based Vermicomposting.