Staff

In view of the World Health Day 2023, CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi, brought out health-focused special issues of its two monthly popular science magazines — VigyanPragati in Hindi and Science Reporter in English.The special issues were released by Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) at the ICMR headquarters on 10 April 2023. Also present on the occasion was Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR.

During the release ceremony, Dr Rajiv Bahl said that most people are concerned about their health, and the recent COVID pandemic has motivated everyone to know about the nitty-gritty of health and scientific research. He said, apart from disseminating scientific information, science communication couldalso bring about behavioural changes in people. In this regard, he said, popular science magazines like Vigyan Pragati and Science Reporter play a very effective role.

Briefing about the magazines and other publications of CSIR-NIScPR, Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal said that these two magazines of CSIR carry a legacy of seven decades and a great responsibility of inculcating scientific temper in the society through the dissemination of authentic S&T knowledge.

Editor, Science Reporter, Mr Hasan Jawaid Khan, Chief Scientist& Head Popular Science Division, CSIR-NIScPR, briefed about the Science Reporter special issuefocusing on health with an emphasis on healthy eating — including articles on millet, dental care, mental health, and a vision for a healthier future. The issue is an attempt to spread awareness among the readers helping them to take the right decisions for their health, he said. 

Dr Manish Mohan Gore, Editor, VigyanPragati, discussed thespecial issue whichdeals with a range of health-related areas such as mental health, epidemiology, lifestyle diseases, maternal & oral health, and health consequences of child marriage.He further informed that the authors of the issues are working scientists of ICMR labs who came together in a workshop at CSIR-NIScPR on 16 November 2022 – thisspecial issue was a tangible outcome of that workshop.

Duringthe release ceremony, Dr Rajeev Roy, Sr Financial Advisor, ICMR; DrRajni Kant, Director, RMRC, Gorakhpur and Head P&C, ICMR; Dr Enna Dogra, Scientist, ICMR; MsSonali Nagar, Sr Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR&MsShubhada Kapil, Assistant Editor, VigyanPragati; and Shri PallavBagla, Science Journalist also joined.