DD Science & India Science
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) along with Doordarshan and Prasar Bharati, launched two science communication initiatives, DD Science and India Science. DD Science is an one-hour slot on Doordarshan National channel, which will be telecast Monday to Saturday from 5 pm to 6pm while India Science is an internet based science channel, which is available on any internet-enabled device, and will offer live, scheduled play and video-on-demand services.
Background
Article 51A (h), enshrined under the fundamental duties, says “It shall be the duty of every citizen to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.” The term “scientific temper” is uniquely Indian. It was formulated by Jawaharlal Nehru and in his book ‘The Discovery of India’, he says that scientific temper is “the refusal to accept anything without testing and trial, the capacity to change previous conclusions in the face of new evidence, the reliance on observed fact and not on pre-conceived theory”.
Significance
- Science communication is a significant activity of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and DD Science on Doordarshan as well as the internet based 24x7 Science TV channel is a major step towards promoting scientific thinking.
- Developing a scientific temperament is a critical necessity in a country of 1.3 billion and these two science channels will drive that national objective, both through DTH as well as the internet.
- It would also help people to understand the benefits of science and integrate it in their daily lives.
- It can help to increase science awareness and inculcate scientific temper among common people.
- The two channels will have science-based documentaries, studio-based discussions, and virtual walkthroughs of scientific institutions, interviews and short films and will be completely free to access.
Impact
- It will inculcate scientific thinking among the masses which will aid in nation building on scientific lines.
- It will promote rational thinking among people and help in countering archaic biases and prejudices in the society. For example, scientific thinking can help in countering superstition in society such as issues of witch hunting, spell and charm.
- It will also help in the upliftment and empowerment of women as it will counter the archaic role and limitation of gender based notions prevailing in the society.
- Development of scientific outlook will also help in countering bigotry and usher in secularization and harmony in the society.
- It will help in harnessing demographic dividend as young demography will yield a fruitful dividend based on the pillar of science.
