Pondicherry Science Forum
An Introduction.
The Pondicherry Science Forum believes that sustained organized efforts are needed to ensure that weaker sections of society get the benefits of science and technology.
Much of our scientific and technological achievements remains confined to research laboratories and academic institutions, often due to the lack of a societal will to invest resources and effort in utilizing such achievements for development of weaker sections or in educating people on science and technology . Many efforts at technology transfer fail due to lack of technological adaptation and innovation that must almost always accompany such transfers .Often the failure is due to technology development being done in isolation from other local social and economic factors that have a bearing on it..
The PSF works to demystify science and technology .Too often, unjust or oppressive development policies come dressed up as technological necessities . The choice of technology which is much influenced by social ,cultural and political factors is often presented as if it were only a professional or scientific decision. Such “expert” opinion can be effectively questioned only if attempts to do so are backed by adequate studies. Providing for adequate choice of technology also means that more effort needs to be invested in developing technologies that are more equitable and sustainable and that can be accessed by weaker sections of society.
Today an increasing number of scientists and professionals, many of whom are associated with the science movements, are taking up these challenges, in their own institutions . The PSF was created to facilitate and promote this trend and itself act as one nodal point for science popularisation as well as for carrying out relevant research and development activities.
The PSF consists of three types of members. In the first category are professionals and scientists working in various private and public sector institutions who have chosen to invest a fair part of their time and effort in PSF as this allows them scope for socially relevant , interdisciplinary ,and democratically organized research and for mass communication efforts. Many of them are also participating because of their commitment to the science movement’s goals.
In the second category are various educated persons, largely of middle class backgrounds who see the science movement as a way to contribute to educating and transforming society. In the third category are a number of young and dynamic scientists , professionals and social activists who have made PSF work a rewarding career option as well as their vocation in life. Today there are more than fifteen such full time personnel working with PSF in the CERD section and they form the core of the CERD’s work and its hope.
The Pondicherry Science Forum is governed by a 45 member Executive Committee that is elected by its General Body ,once in two years. The Pondicherry Science Forum’s activities and organisation are divided into three distinct wings or sections. First is the section on interventions in education and science popularisation . The second is the section on women’s empowerment through education and S&T inputs(known as the SAMAM section) and the third is the Centre for Ecology and Rural Development (CERD) –its research and development institution.
The CERD is an institution sponsored by the Pondicherry Science Forum and Tamilnadu Science Forum to undertake research and development activities that would contribute to the science movements interventions in the area of development and development policy. The CERD is administered by a 25 member governing body, one third of the members of which are nominated by the Pondicherry Science Forum and one third by the Tamil Nadu Science Forum with another one-third being resource persons who are nominated jointly..
The Science and Technology components of CERD work is focused on interventions in the area of natural resource management , including environment . Under natural resource management we have ongoing work in soil nutrient management, wasteland reclamation, biomass based local manufacture, and computer simulation studies of land, water and vegetation changes. Health and sanitation is another focal area of CERD work.
· Founded in 1985 by a group of professionals, teachers, govt. employees. Main Objectives: Taking Science to the People. Extensive work on Science Education, Science Communication, making science pedagogy interesting and fun.
· Coordinated the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BGVJ) in 1987 in South India which was catalyzed and supported by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India and also the Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha in 1990.
· Spearheaded the Arivoli Iyakkam (Total Literacy Campaign) in Puducherry along with the Education Department. Puducherry was the first State/UT to become literate.
· The Post Literacy Programme coordinated by PSF bagged the UNESCO's King Sejong International Literacy Prize.
· PSF is also a recognized Centre of Relevance and Excellence (CORE) group under theMinistry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
· PSF initiated the first Women's SHG Federation in Puducherry and are the pioneers inWomen's empowerment through micro-credit and capacity building.
· PSF started the Centre of Ecology & Rural Development (CERD) a centre exclusively formed for taking up meaningful interventions in Health, Sanitation, Natural Resource Management, Energy, Watershed management and ICT for development.
· CERD was a Nodal Agency in the Tank Rehabilitation Project, Puducherry and evolved the guidelines for the project's social mobilization programme including the Manual for the same.
· In 1994, PSF was awarded the National Award for the Best Science Communication programmes by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
· Currently PSF works in the areas of Science Education & Communication, Health & sanitation, Organic agriculture and rural development initiatives, capacity building for women etc.
· PSF/CERD was also given an award for its work in renewable energy sources by theRenewable Energy Agency, Puducherry (REAP).
· PSF/CERD works in collaboration with leading S& T organizations including the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
· PSF is also member of the All India People's Science Network, the National Council for S&T Communication Network, the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samithi which are National networks for science, literacy and continuing education.
ABOUT PONDICHERRY SCIENCE FORUM (PSF)
· Coordinated the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BGVJ) in 1987 in South India which was catalyzed and supported by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India and also the Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha in 1990.
· Spearheaded the Arivoli Iyakkam (Total Literacy Campaign) in Puducherry along with the Education Department. Puducherry was the first State/UT to become literate.
· The Post Literacy Programme coordinated by PSF bagged the UNESCO's King Sejong International Literacy Prize.
· PSF is also a recognized Centre of Relevance and Excellence (CORE) group under theMinistry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
· PSF initiated the first Women's SHG Federation in Puducherry and are the pioneers inWomen's empowerment through micro-credit and capacity building.
· PSF started the Centre of Ecology & Rural Development (CERD) a centre exclusively formed for taking up meaningful interventions in Health, Sanitation, Natural Resource Management, Energy, Watershed management and ICT for development.
· CERD was a Nodal Agency in the Tank Rehabilitation Project, Puducherry and evolved the guidelines for the project's social mobilization programme including the Manual for the same.
· In 1994, PSF was awarded the National Award for the Best Science Communication programmes by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
· Currently PSF works in the areas of Science Education & Communication, Health & sanitation, Organic agriculture and rural development initiatives, capacity building for women etc.
· PSF/CERD works in collaboration with leading S& T organizations including the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
· PSF is also member of the All India People's Science Network, the National Council for S&T Communication Network, the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samithi which are National networks for science, literacy and continuing education.
