The idea of observing 2004 as Year of Scientific Awareness was conceptualized in a meeting of representatives of State S & T Councils held in Technology Bhavan, New Delhi, while discussing plans of science popularization activities for 10th Five Year Plan. The first announcement to this effect was made by the Hon'ble Minister for S & T at the inaugural function of 10th National Children's Science Congress held at Mysore during December 27 - 31, 2002.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister released Science & Technology Policy in January, 2003 with the objective of ensuring the fullest use of developments in science & technology for the well being of the people. The policy objectives specifically state "To ensure that the message of science reaches every citizen of lndia, man and woman, young and old, so that we advance scientific temper, emerge as a progressive and enlightened society, and make it possible for all our people to participate fully in the development of science and technology and its application for human welfare. Indeed, science and technology will be fully integrated with all spheres of natlonal activity".

The Project

The YSA-2004 has been conceived of as a campaign of one full year of multiple level activities to be conducted across the length and breadth of the country. These activities will be of both Jatha and non-Jatha types and reach crores of people directly and many more through the mass media. Jatha, a word generally used for a 'march' or a 'rally' consisting of a group of people that moves from place to place. Traditionally Jathas have been used for entertainment as well as general awareness generation. Here, too, Jatha aims to provide educational and motivational entertainment. The programmes will be conducted at pre-planned 'halts' of the Jatha troupes. All the activities will be built around selected issues of major concern and involve two-way interaction with audiences.

The following activities are proposed for the year long programme-

Jatha

National level jathas were cata lyzed and supported in 1987 and 1992 which involved a number of elements that constitute activities under the Year of Scientific Awareness. Mobile troups of artists and science communicators trained to create awareness on themes of local relevance will reach out to communities along agreed routes. Preparatory activities in the places of halt (school playgrounds, generally) will ensure enthusiastic reception, vigorous participation and leaving behind a sensitized and committed group equipped to follow up on the heightened awareness. Such jathas will cover nearly 40,000 km. along the mountain region in the North and North-East, eastern and western coastal belts and the arid zones in the West of the country. After about every 50 kilometers (depending upon the population, etc.) the jatha will stop over for one or two days and perform at about 4 to 5 places in the town or surrounding villages.

Non-Jatha

In districts which will not be touched by the jathas several activities it are proposed, many of which would also be included in the jatha districts. The frequency and location, subject and resource persons will be carefully selected and participation of invited audiences will be encouraged. These will include:

Vigyan Vad Vivad,
Vigyan Lok Adalat,
Vigyan Pradarshini,
Vigyan Chaupal/ Vyakhyan Mala
Vigyan Natak aur Nautanki.

In addition to science fairs, competitions, quizes and hands - on activities for     school children and teachers will be organized.

Television, radio, print mass media and the internet will also be utilized for     complementing the effort through concerted action.

Postal stamps and stationery, railway coaches and buses, schools, hospitals     and public places will display selected messages through out the period.

Dates

YSA - 2004 is intended to be formally launched during the inaugural Session of the 2004 Indian Science Congress to be held in early January, and its associated activities and programmes are to continue throughout the year 2004.

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Coverage

The countrywide coverage is sought to be given effect as per a construct which divides the country into eight regions with some common characteristics and some important common issues/problems of concern which would provide a good basis/focus in each case to mount activities and programmes. In addition to specific regional issues, there are several issues/problems common to the country as a whole which will provide the national focus and lend it an all India character. The eight regions are:

1.Eastern Coastal Region (comprising parts/whole of West Bengal, Orissa,    Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Pondicherry)

2.Western Coastal Region (comprising parts/whole of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa    Daman & Diu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Lakshadweep)

3.Eastern Himalayan Region (comprising parts/whole of West Bengal, Arunachal    Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and    Sikkim)

4.Western Himalayan Region (comprising parts/ whole of Jammu & Kashmir    including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttaranchal)

5.Arid Zone Region (comprising parts/whole of Rajasthan and Gujarat)

6.North-central Region (comprising parts/whole of Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab,    Haryana and Uttar Pradesh)

7.South-central Region (comprising parts/ whole of Maharashtra, Andhra    Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu)

8.Central Region (comprising Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and    Chhattisgarh)

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Objectives

It is increasingly being felt that all self-respecting citizens of our country ought to become scientifically literate. (Here we use the word "science" in a generic sense to cover all scientific disciplines, including their utilitarian and technological aspects.) It is proposed to achieve the following objectives through this programme:

1.Make as many people scientifically aware as possible.

2.Make more and more people habitual of keeping themselves scientifically    aware by acquiring the required knowledge and information and seeking    satisfactory answers to questions that arise in their minds.

3.Help create an atmosphere and conditions conducive to more and more    people readily and easily becoming scientifically aware.

4.Encourage more and more people to make practical use of their scientific    awareness in day-to-day life, in arriving at decisions concerning    issues/subjects of concern to them, in overcoming superstitions and tackling    blind beliefs, and in handling situations arising out of age-old practices and    traditions which actually hinder progress, harmony, or even may harm others.

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Activites and Programme Elements

There would be three phases - Pre-Jatha, Jatha and Post-Jatha- during which activities would be undertaken. The duration of these phases could vary from region to region due to a number of factors including the weather. Activities would be based on themes and core issues of relevant local, regional and national concern. As part of the pre- and post- Jatha activities, there would be :

Discussion sessions, public debates on burning and controversial issues

Theme-based exhibitions

Radio and television programmes multi-media CDs, publications, posters     and wall-charts

Awareness campaigns on specific issues/themes

Puppet shows and folk-performances, popular lectures

Contests and competitions

Features and articles in newspapers

Activity - and experiment-corners for children

Websites to report on and inform about the project, its progress and for     exchange of ideas, expression of views, and presentation of critiques on     ongoing programmes and activities. The Ministry of Railways is being asked     to organize a "Science Train" to go around the country.

In all the above, there would be appropriate training programmes for resource persons, communicators, Jatha activists/performers and those who would hopefully keep the momentum and the spirit of this project going, even after it is formally concluded as a project.

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Major areas of concern

The broad issues/areas of major concern have been identified and all activities would be built around them, keeping in mind the local and region-specific contexts. They are:

Water & sanitation: Explain water management, its testing; and hazards     polluted water can cause; general meaning of cleanliness and sanitation.

Health & nutrition: Create awareness and insight into health hazards, their     forms and causes; possible solutions through integration of traditional with     modern scientific knowledge; focussing on conditions and periods of the year     when these health hazards are likely to assume threatening proportions;     creating awareness on nutritious and hygienic food practices.

Environment & biodiversity conservation: Motivate people to to look for     alternatives to practices that lead to environmental degradation; give insight     into threats to the bio-diversity and ways to conserve it.

Disaster preparedness: Many regions in the country are prone to some form     of natural and man-made disasters. What are these and what preparations     can be made to minimize damage to life and property; and for better post-    disaster management.

Soil management: Create insight into top-soil quality, and its possible     pollutants; means and methods of maintaining soil moisture and fertility,     guarding against erosion and other forms of soil degradation, etc.

Empowerment of people through information technology: Focus on IT as a     means of access to the problem-solving and decision making capabilities.

Participating Institute and The Co-Ordination Structure

A large number of Central Government Ministries Departments, State Council/Department of Science & Technology, academic and research institutions and NGO's all over the country will carry out activities. A whole lot of non-government and voluntary organisations spread throughout India are participating in this endeavour. For smooth conduct of all project activities across the country, many of these will form part of the following formal structure :-

Apex Committees                                  - for policy guidance

National Organising Committees (NOC)  - as the apex body for planning and                                                               implementation

Regional Organising Committees (ROC) - will coordinate at the level of each                                                               zone

State Organsing Committees (SOC)        - will oversee coordination at the state                                                              level

District Organising Committees (DOC)    - will co-ordinate activities at the district                                                            levels

Local Organsing Committees (LOC)       - will conduct activities at local level

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Beneficiaries

People in general; school children, teachers, housewives, organized labour, farmers, sector-specific workers such as those in the armed forces, steel and coal sectors, construction workers, railway men; those in the NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendras and so on. Some likely ones can be:

School Science Clubs

College Students Unions

Community Groups (Lions, Rotary, RWA, Ladies' Clubs)

Youth Clubs (NYKS, adventure clubs, etc.)

Labour Unions (Industrial and Service Sectors)

Employees' Associations (Teachers, Supervisors etc.)

Industrial Associations (Small, Medium, Large, MNCs)

Professional Societies/Academies of Scientists/ Engineers

S&T based Voluntary Organisations

Academic and Research Institutions/Organisations

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Post - YSA2004

Year of Scientific Awareness is not just a programme being taken up to fulfill certain physical targets. It is a larger process being started to make people participate in a continuing endeavour of scientific self-realisation to build a modern, sustainable and developed India. The Government of India have from time to time made endeavours to take Science & Technology to masses in their pristine forms. YSA-2004 is an opportunity for the people of the country to come forward, work and move together, and make the dream of a modern India come true -scientifically.

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Support by Different Ministries and Departments

Indian Space Research Organisation,

Ministry of Agriculture

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

Ministry of Railways

DRDO scientists

Department of Ocean Development (DOD)

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

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Contact addresses:

Chairman,	Head, NCSTC
National Organizing Committee,	DST, Technology Bhawan,
Room No.306, Vigyan Sadan,	New Mehruali Road,
R.K Puram,	New Delhi - 110016.
Sector - 10,	Phone   : 26866675
New Delhi - 11 0022.	Telefax : 26960207

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