Sibal tells science communicators to carry S

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) Terming science communication as an important aspect of public education, Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal today asked science communicators to carry the present Science and Technology solutions to the public.

He was addressing a gathering of communicators and scientists at a function organised by the Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Prodyogiki Sanchar Parishad (National Council for Science&Technology Communication), Departmentt of Science and Technology, here.

Terming the 21st Century as the Age of Communication, he accepted the ability of media to mobilise public opinion through power of pen and power of images.

The Minister, however, observed that there is a shortfall in the area of communicating Science and technology and expressed the need to enlarge the community of science communicators.

Expressing concern over the declining interest in science, Mr Sibal pointed out that it was a global phenomenon not only with youth coming to science but also with adults in aspects of understanding and appreciating science.

Communication ought to be a two way process - not just to bombard the public but also to bring in the feed back and information from the public to the decision makers. What we need today is a new mindset to use the power of communication to benefit all, the minister said.

The Minister also gave away the annual national awards for science and technology communication for outstanding work done in the past 5 years.

UNI