Science journalism workshop begins
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 05 2012: A four-day long training workshop on science writing/journalism for school and college teachers of Bishnupur district being organized by Manipur Science & Technology Council (MASTEC) in association with Centre for Conservation of Nature & Cultivation of Science, Ningthoukhong began from today at the temple complex of Ibudhou Oknarel.

Emphasizing the importance of science writers in society, Dr CM Nautiyal, who is not only a Senior Grade Scientist at Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleobotany, Lucknow but also a National Awardee of NCSTC/DST, Government of India in the field of science popularization, said that the world is going more and more tech-savvy today and a minimum level of knowledge in science and technology has become essential for all.

He explained that writing on science and technology needs special knowledge and it has its own vocabularies that are not familiar with the common people.

So, good science writing is that which serves the intended purpose of spreading the message science to the common people.

four-day long training workshop on science writing/journalism

Dr Nautiyal, who would be present through the workshop to help in development of science scripts for different forms of media, also urged participants to clear their doubts without any hesitation by asking questions during the technical session to learn the art of journalistic writing on science.

Th Surendranath Singh, Director of MASTEC and Chief Guest of the inaugural function, said that the present century is blessed with sophisticated technologies and scientific knowledge, and it should be utilize for the wellbeing of the society.

Stating that India is the 3rd largest technology and manpower hub in the world today, he highlighted the importance of patenting innovative and indigenous products under Intellectual Property Rights.

K Suvachandra Singh, Principal of Mangolnganbi College, Ningthoukhong, who presided over the function, addressed the participants on the changing global trends of climatic condition and the needs to maintain ecological balance.

Speaking about the workshop, RK Birjit, President of Center for Conservation of Nature & Cultivation of Science, said that the objective of the workshop is to decentralize the knowledge of science to other section of the society including the common people rather than confining it to a handful of people.

Guest of Honour of the function, M Rajen Meetei, Councillor, Ningthoukhong Municipal Council, appreciated the organizers for their initiatives in conducting such workshop that would benefit the people and help in bring about social development.

In all 31 teachers from different schools and colleges of Bishnupur district are participating in the workshop which would go on till November 8 .