Media not giving due space to science: Dobhal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 11

Newspapers are not reporting news relating to science that could play a pivotal role in transforming society. UCOST Director General Dr Rajendra Dobhal stated this while presiding over a session on application of media and social media for science communication on the second day of the Tenth Uttarakhand Science Congress in Dehradun today.

The second day witnessed brainstorming sessions on themes such as the status of research in higher education, skill of scientific paper writing and application of media and social media for science communication.

Eminent science writer Devendra Mewari said it was not only the duty of scientists to contribute towards the field of science but also of every citizen of the country, including mediapersons, to work for its promotion. He said people presume science is very difficult and hence there was a need to teach science in an easy and simple language.

Beej Bachao Andolan activist Biju Negi said science was a pursuit of truth and so was the media but there was a wide gap between the two. These disparities need to be reduced. He added a scientist must write and compose science in a way like literature so that people read and understand it.

Dr BR Arora, former Director of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, said scientific writing skill was not an inborn talent, but had to be developed and sharpened through active and continued engagement in research and writing and journal publication. He added the writing of research work should be such that they convince their readers about its importance, validity and relevance to other scientists in the same field.

The speakers during a session related to the status of research in higher education stressed on identifying current constraints and hindrances to research and development in the higher education system in Uttarakhand. They also called for exploring the possibility of resource sharing among science and technology departments and libraries of universities and other institutions in the state. The three-day Science Congress will conclude tomorrow.