Annual Report 2008

VIGYAN PRASAR (An autonomous organisation under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India) ANNUAL REP...

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VIGYAN PRASAR (An autonomous organisation under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India)

ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Vigyan Prasar A-50, Sector 62, Institutional Area NCMRWF Building, NOIDA

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Vigyan Prasar Vision

Vigyan Prasar would continuously strive to emerge as an Institution for Capacity Building in Science Communication and as the Central Node for Knowledge Resource Networks for Science dissemination and popularization among people in the country.

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DIRECTOR’S REPORT ................................................................................. 5 ORGANISATIONAL CHART .......................................................................... 8 COMPOSITION OF GENERAL BODY/GOVERNING BODY ........................ 9 COMPOSITION OF FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ........................... 11 HIGHLIGHTS ............................................................................................... 12 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 14 Objectives ........................................................................................................... 14

PROGRAMMES/ACTIVITIES DURING 2007-2008 ...................................... 16 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Programmes/Activitiesduring 2007-2008 ........................................................... Science Programmes on Radio ........................................................................ Audio - Visual Programme ................................................................................ Networking through Edusat Interactive Terminals ............................................... Vigyan Prasar Information System (VIPRIS) ..................................................... A PC Interface for Scientific Experiments ......................................................... Innovative Experiments in Physics .................................................................... Vigyan Prasar Newsletter ‘Dream 2047’ ............................................................ Publication programme ..................................................................................... Activity Kits – Demonstrations and Programmes ................................................ Ham Radio ....................................................................................................... VIgyan Prasar NETwork of Science Clubs (VIPNET) ......................................... Astronomy Activities ......................................................................................... Training and Dissemination ............................................................................... Collaborative Programmes ................................................................................ Initiatives in the North-East ............................................................................... International Year of the Planet Earth - 2008 ..................................................... Conferences and Seminars ..............................................................................

16 17 18 19 21 25 26 26 28 30 31 34 36 39 42 46 47 50

19. Participation of VP officials in International Seminars/ Conferences .................. 53 20. 21. 22. 23.

Book Fairs and Exhibitions ............................................................................... Awards and Achievements ................................................................................ Library ............................................................................................................. Desk Calendar for year 2008 ............................................................................

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53 53 54 54

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Contents

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 2008-2009 ................................. 55 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE POLICY .................... 58 GENERAL AND GOVERNING BODY MEETINGS ....................................... 60 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS ................................................................................... 62 ❖ ❖ ❖

Annexure I: Manpower, Budget & Facilities Available .......................................... 63 Annexure II: Auditors’ Report for the year ended on 31 March 2008. ............... 65 Annexure III: Compliance Report on the observations raised by the Auditors. .... 78

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I am happy to present this report on programmes and activities undertaken by Vigyan Prasar during the period April 2007 to March 2008. Over the years, Vigyan Prasar has emerged as a pioneering institution in the field of science and technology (S&T) communication in the country. Today, Vigyan Prasar is well known for the development and dissemination of a variety of quality software on S&T communication. In particular, production and airing of science programmes on radio and television, publications, and accelerated use of modern technologies like internet and Edusat for spreading science among the masses have been significant achievements of Vigyan Prasar over the last few years. In May 2005, Vigyan Prasar started producing and airing science programmes on Doordarshan on Sundays at 0900 hours on National Channel in collaboration with Development and Educational Communication Unit, ISRO. From this year, Vigyan Prasar has been carrying forward the task on its own. This slot has now come to be known as the science slot. Some of the highly acclaimed serials of Vigyan Prasar include Jeete Raho – a serial dealing with health issues, The World of Nano, and Our Celestial Neighbours. The popular serials telecast earlier are being dubbed into eleven Indian languages for transmission on the DD Direct satellite channels of Doordarshan. At present, VP is in the process of producing a 26-episode science quiz for school children and a 26-episode serial on the Planet Earth. As part of the International Year of the Planet Earth 2008, Vigyan Prasar has produced a 56-episode radio serial on the Planet Earth, the broadcast of which began in January 2008 in 19 Indian languages from 117 stations of All India Radio. 5

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Director’s Report

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

This marathon serial will continue to be on the air throughout 2008. The serial has become quite popular among school children and the general public, as judged from the huge number of responses we receive. The daily broadcast on WorldSpace satellite digital radio in English and Hindi has continued uninterrupted for six years. Broadcast of science programmes on the Gyan Vani FM channel of IGNOU is continuing for the past 3 years. The number of the titles brought out by Vigyan Prasar has swelled to 180. Dream 2047 is a full-fledged bilingual popular science monthly with a circulation of 55,000, and is gaining steady popularity. 2008 having been declared as the International Year of the Planet Earth (IYPE), Vigyan Prasar has initiated efforts to bring out a series of publications at popular level on different aspects of the Planet Earth. Activity modules on Weather and Biodiversity and a poster set are being brought out, also as part of IYPE 2008. Vigyan Prasar’s Edusat network is being extensively utilized for S&T awareness and training programmes for various target groups. The hardware and software at the 50 SITs is being upgraded. Well known scientists and science communicators participate in this interactive countrywide classroom with students and teachers from time to time. Vigyan Prasar’s website continues to register over 1,000 hits everyday. All the software of Vigyan Prasar - books, audio and video CDs - is now available for free download from the website. Vigyan Prasar Network of Science Clubs has over 8,000 club members, and the number continues to grow. A kit on experiments with PC for which an analogue-to-digital interface was developed by Vigyan Prasar is now being commercially marketed by a Delhi-based firm. Vigyan Prasar continues to collaborate on programmes and activities of mutual interest with Government and non-Government organizations. An interactive CD on optics was brought in collaboration with Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). Preparation of a database on available literature, software and subject experts on biodiversity is progressing in collaboration with the Agharkar Research Institute under the guidance of Professor Madhav Gadgil. Awareness-cum-training programmes on science were organized for school children jointly with the National Rail Museum. Training programmes for upcoming television producers to initiate them into making science video programmes was organized jointly with Gujarat Science City and AV-CODE, an Ahmedabad-based NGO.

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I record my gratitude for the whole-hearted participation of all the Members of the Governing Body and the General Body in the activities of Vigyan Prasar. But for their inspiration and encouragement in various endeavours, accomplishments of Vigyan Prasar would not have been as far-reaching as they have been.

(Vinay B. Kamble)

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What are described above are only the highlights of what Vigyan Prasar has achieved during the year 2007-2008. More details can be found in the following pages. I record my appreciation for the entire Vigyan Prasar team for accomplishing all that has been described here.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

VIGYAN PRASAR (ORGANISATIONAL CHART) General Body (President) Governing Body (Chairman)

FINANCE COMMITTEE

DIRECTOR DY. DIRECTOR

REGISTRAR

PUBLICATIONS SLIDES, POSTERS, CHARTS Others

ADMN.

PLANNING

VP in Print Media

PROJECTS (Ongoing)

VIDEO/FILMS

S o f t w a r e

FOLKFORM JATHAS

Special Projects Special Projects External Projects DTP Facility Registry In/Out House Keeping

AUDIO/RADIO LIBRARY VIDEO/FILM REPOSITORY EDITING + COMP. ANIMATION AUDIO PRODUCTION HAM CLUB + ELEC. LAB TOYS/KITS VIPNET SCIENCE CLUBS

E s s e n t i a l F a c i l i t i e s VP Website

VIPRIS INFO. SYSTEM

Clipset Service

MARKETING + DISTRIBUTION

Projects

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Data Base

FINANCE

1.

Shri Kiran Karnik President, NASSCOM & Former CEO, Discovery India Q-2-A, Hauz Khas Enclave New Delhi – 110 016

President of the Society

2.

Dr. T Ramasami Secretary Department of Science & Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Delhi – 110 016

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Director General All India Radio Akashvani Bhavan, Sansad Marg New Delhi - 110001

Member

4.

Prof. A.N. Maheshwari A-8, Sector 36, Opp. Golf Course, NOIDA, UP

Member

5.

Prof. Madhav Gadgil Agharkar Research Institute Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Road Pune 411 004,Maharashtra

Member

6.

Prof. J. S. Yadava D-7 / 7490, Vasant Kunj New Delhi 110 070

Member

7.

Dr. G. P. Phondke 5, Ragini, Sahitya Sahawas, Bandara East Mumbai 400051, Maharashtra

Member

8.

Professor Amit Roy Director Inter-University Accelerator Centre Aruna Asaf Ali Marg New Delhi 110 067

Member

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Chairman, Governing Body

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

COMPOSITION OF GENERAL BODY / GOVERNING BODY*

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

9.

Shri A.K. Baruwa former Director Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) U N Bezbaruah Road, Silpukhuri Guwahati 781 003, Assam

Member

10.

Shri B. S. Bhatia 19, Amrashirish Bungalow, Prahlad Nagar, Vegal Pur, Ahmedabad 380 015

Member

11.

Director General, Doordarshan Mandi House, Copernicus Marg New Delhi – 110 001

Member

12.

Director General National Council of Science Museums, Block-GN, Sector-V, Bidhan Nagar Kolkata 700 091 (W.B)

Member

13.

Shri K P Pandian Jt. Secretary & Financial Adviser, Deptt. of Science & Technology Technology Bhawan New Delhi 110 016

Member

14.

Dr. V. B. Kamble Director Vigyan Prasar A-50, Sector 62, NCMRWF Building Instt. Area, NOIDA

Member - Secretary

* The Compositions of the Governing Body and General Body are same except that Shri Kiran Karnik, President of the General Body, is not a member of the Governing Body.

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1.

Dr. T. Ramasami Secretary Department of Science & Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Delhi – 110 016

Chairman

2.

Prof. A. N. Maheshwari A-8, Sector 36, Opp. Golf Course NOIDA, U.P.

Member

3.

Shri K. P. Pandian Jt. Secretary & Financial Adviser, Department of Science & Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Delhi – 110 016

Member

4.

Dr. V. B. Kamble Director Vigyan Prasar A-50, Sector 62 NCMRWF Building Instt. Area, NOIDA

Member - Secretary

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VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

COMPOSITION OF FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Highlights



VP has entered into an MoU with Prasar Bharati on 18 June 2007 for collaborating with Doordarshan and All India Radio in production and telecast/ broadcast of science programmes as a part of its effort to enhance the science content of the Television and Radio.



VP in association with DECU / ISRO has been telecasting a weekly science programme on Doordarshan since 23 May 2005 on Sunday mornings. During the current year, a 14-episode health series titled “Jeete Raho” on common ailments was telecast from March 2007 – June 2007, followed by a 12-part series titled “Our Celestial Neighbours” on Solar system during July September 2007. Later, a 13-part series “Nano Ki Duniya” on nanotechnology was telecast from October 2007 till March 2008.



As part of International Year of Planet Earth 2008, jointly with All India Radio (AIR), VP has produced and is broadcasting since January 2008 a 52episode science serial titled ‘Dharti Meri Dharti’ in 19 Indian languages from 117 AIR stations.



VP produced and broadcast nine audio programmes from different stations of AIR, WorldSpace Radio and FM Radio Network Gyan Vani of IGNOU.



VP produced a documentary film on “Professor B. L. Saraf, a Master Experimentalist”, in association with Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi, and Rajasthan University.



VP organized and multicast training/capacity building programmes, group discussions, lecturers on Edusat Network of 50 satellite interactive terminals all over the country. 12

VP developed a CD-ROM on “Optics” for students in collaboration with Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT).



VP brought out eleven new titles in English and Hindi during the period as part of its publication programme. VP is also bringing out ten titles on different topics of Planet Earth as part of International Year of Planet Earth 2008.



VP organized training and orientation programmes for VIPNET club members, teachers, students in different parts of the country.



VP participated in many Book Fairs and Exhibitions during the year.

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VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008



VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Introduction

Vigyan Prasar was set up by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, as an autonomous registered Society in 1989 for taking up large-scale science popularization tasks. The primary objective of Vigyan Prasar is to promote and propagate—as widely as possible—a scientific, rational outlook in society. To achieve this, Vigyan Prasar would continuously strive to emerge as an institution for capacity building in Science Communication and as the Central Node of Knowledge Resource Networks for Science Dissemination and Popularization among people in the country. The broad objectives of Vigyan Prasar may be summarized as follows:

OBJECTIVES ❖ To undertake, aid, promote, guide and co-ordinate efforts in popularization of science and inculcation of scientific temper among the people and to increase the knowledge, awareness and interest about science and technology among all segments of the society.

❖ To provide and promote effective linkages on a continuing basis among various scientific institutions, agencies, educational and academic bodies, laboratories, museums, industry, trade and other organizations for effective exchange and dissemination of S&T information.

❖ To undertake development of materials—audio, visual, audio-visual and



printed—methods and modes of communication, so as to enable the masses to better understand, appreciate and comprehend abstract scientific principles and practices. To organize research work, courses, workshops, seminars, symposia, training programmes, fairs, exhibitions, film-shows, popular discussions, street plays, 14

❖ To participate in trade fairs, exhibitions and other mass forums as well as to develop syndicated features and to contribute periodically to newspapers, magazines and journals in order to disseminate and create awareness on issues of science and technology.

❖ To undertake the design, development and construction of models, exhibits and other relevant instruments for hands-on visual and other modes of communication.

❖ To institute and award fellowships, stipends, prizes, medals and other incentives.

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quizzes, song-dance-dramas etc., in furtherance of the objectives of the Society.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Programmes/Activities during 2007-2008

SCIENCE PROGRAMMES ON TELEVISION ❖ As a part of its effort to enhance the science content of the Television and Radio, VP has entered into a MoU for collaborating with Doordarshan and All India Radio in production and telecast/broadcast of science programmes. The MoU was signed between Prasar Bharati and Vigyan Prasar on 18 June 2007.

❖ VP in association with DECU, ISRO has been telecasting a weekly science programme on Doordarshan since 23 May 2005 on Sunday mornings. During the current year, a 14-episode health series titled “Jeete Raho” (on common ailments) was telecast from March 2007 – June 2007, followed by a 12-part

Glimpses of TV serials “Nano ki Duniya” and “Our Celestial Neighbours”

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❖ Dubbing of 13-episode TV serial of “Dekh Khel Ke”, 14 episodes of “Jeete Raho” and 12-episode of “Our Celestial Neighbours” in 11 Indian languages is underway for telecast through the regional Kendras of Doordarshan.

SCIENCE PROGRAMMES ON RADIO ❖ In association with All India Radio, VP produced and is currently broadcasting a 52-episode science serial titled ‘Dharti Meri Dharti’ in 19 Indian languages over 117 AIR stations. The Hindi and English master-scripts were developed by VP and the same are adapted into various Indian languages by associating various local organizations / agencies / universities involved in science communication activities. The production and broadcast of the serial was undertaken by AIR. The broadcast of the serial started on January 6, 2008 and would continue till December 2008.

❖ A 13-part serial on “Emergence of Modern Science” in Telugu was produced in association with AIR, Warangal, and Jana Vijnana Vedika. The same was broadcast from AIR stations in Andhra Pradesh.

❖ A 13-part serials on the theme ‘Oceans’ in Malayalam was produced in association with AIR, Trichur, and Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad, and broadcast from AIR station of Kerala.

❖ ‘Alaikadal Ariviyal’, a 13–part serial in Tamil was produced in association with Tamil Nadu Science Forum and AIR, Madurai, and broadcast from AIR stations of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

❖ A 34-episode radio serial on ‘Biodiversity’ and ‘Natural resources of NorthEast’ in general and Assam in particular was produced in collaboration with AIR, Guwahati, and ASTEC. The broadcast of the serial began in November 2007.

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series titled “Our Celestial Neighbours” (on Solar system) during July September 2007. Later a 13-part series “Nano Ki Duniya” (on nanotechnology) from October 2007 till March 2008 was telecast. Subsequently a 26 part quiz series titled “Jigyasa” is scheduled for telecast.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

❖ The broadcast of a 13-episode radio programme titled “Bipanna Prithivi” in Bengali jointly produced by VP and AIR, Tripura, was broadcast from AIR, Agartala, during June – September 2007.

❖ A 13–episode radio serial on science fiction titled “Kalpa Bigyan” in Nepali and Bengali was produced and broadcast in Nepali from AIR stations of Kurseong, and Gangtok and in Bengali from six AIR stations of West Bengal that also covered Silchar in Assam and Agartala in Tripura. The broadcast of the serial began in January 2008.

AUDIO - VISUAL PROGRAMME Audio programmes produced by VP Four audio serials (13–part each in Hindi and English) on topics like “Eureka! Story of Discoveries”, “What are we made of”, “Zodiac”, “The Living Planet” were produced. These radio serials are being broadcast on WorldSpace Radio and Gyan Vani FM stations of IGNOU.

Science Communication on World Space Radio VP has been broadcasting science Programmes daily for the last four years on Asiadev Channel of WorldSpace Radio for one hour (30 minutes Hindi and 30 minutes English) six days a week.

Science Communication through Gyan Vani FM stations VP made a special effort to use the Gyan Vani FM network of IGNOU to popularize science. VP’s programmes are being regularly broadcast twice a week from the Gyan V ani FM stations of IGNOU at Allahabad, Bhopal, Kanpur, Nagpur, Varanasi, Rajkot, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Shillong, Guwahati, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai, and Coimbatore and are widely appreciated.

Video programmes produced/packaged by VP

❖ A 14-part series “Jeete Raho”, a health series was packaged and telecast through DD National since 25 March 2007.

❖ A 12-part serial “Our Celestial Neighbours” was packaged and telecast from July 1, 2007. 18

September 2007.

❖ A video film on “Electronic Revolution” has been completed. ❖ A documentary film on “Professor B. L. Saraf, a Master Experimentalist”, was produced in association with Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi, and Rajasthan University, where Prof. Saraf worked. The film

The release of the film on Prof. B.L Saraf by Prof. Yashpal

was released by Professor Yash Pal, Chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, in a function held on 11 July 2007 at IUAC, New Delhi.

❖ Production of a 12-part serial “Jeete Raho” (part II) has been commissioned. The scripts have been developed and the serial is under production.

NETWORKING THROUGH EDUSAT INTERACTIVE TERMINALS ❖ VP in association with DECU/ISRO has established a network of 50 satellite interactive terminals using the Edusat at different places in the country for science communication and transmits programmes to all States and UT. The system is being primarily used for S&T communication/ popularization which could also serve as an emergency communication network during and after

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❖ A 13-part “Nano Ki Duniya” was packaged and broadcast from 30

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natural disasters. Multicasting of science programmes - both on awareness and capacity building - is continuing regularly for over three years.

❖ During the year 2007-08, Edusat facility was used to conduct programmes like Meet the Scientist, science lectures, group discussions and training programmes, on-demand programmes, and quiz competitions. Training of science communicators in using the kits and software/ modules developed by VP was regularly undertaken and more than 3000 teachers / science activists were trained using VP Edusat Network during the period.

Multicasting of Science Programme on Edusat Network

❖ 21 popular science lectures, 26 training/capacity building programmes, 13 group discussions/on demand Programmes, and 9 special programmes were conducted during the period. A special series of programmes on “50 years of Sputnik” was conducted. A national level quiz on the same theme was organized. From 20 May to 16, June, 2007, a special summer camp utilizing the Edusat was organized for children where more than 1000 children participated.

❖ Troubleshooting in various SITs was attended to during the year as and when required. The whole network has been placed under the comprehensive AMC with M/s Infinium, Ahmedabad. Regional meetings-cum-training programmes were organized to train the staff at field centres to operate the

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Training on low-cost toy making on Edusat Network

The second regional meet was for the Northern and Eastern part of India and was held at Hissar (Haryana) on 17 - 18 March 2008.

❖ Minimal audio-video facility for Edusat: First phase of minimal audiovideo facility has been established at the Edusat studio and uplink facility at C-24, Qutab Institutional Area. The process for setting up of the next phase a small studio for Edusat programming is underway.

VIGYAN PRASAR INFORMATION SYSTEM (VIPRIS) VP Website The website is regarded as an important portal for science popularization and registers over 1000 hits per day on an average from different parts of the world.

Digital Library VP’s books and other software like audio/video CDs, posters etc have been made available online on its Digital Library. Most of the books are being made available free on-line. The books can be accessed by logging on to http:// 21

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Satellite Interactive Terminals, as well as to review the utilization in the last one year. First regional meeting for the field centres based in the Southern India was held at Thiruvananthapuram between 21 and 22 January 2008.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

www.vigyanprasar.gov.in and clicking on “Digital Library”. For downloading/ printing VP publications from Digital Library, registration is required, which is free. User ID and password is created by the user at the time of registration.

Discussion Forum Discussion Forum on VP’s website

Discussion Forum on Science and Technology has become very popular. Through this forum, one can ask questions and answer fellow participants’ queries.

Streaming Video and Audio VP has produced a number of science films and audio/ video serials. These films and serials are uploaded on the VP website for free downloading. Streaming video and audio facilities have been provided. Viewers can choose video/ audio

A section on streaming audio/video on VP website

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Online Chat sessions VP conducted six live chat sessions on Vigyan Prasar’s website during the period. Details of the chat sessions are as follows:- 1) Shri Alok Mukherjee, Scientist, NPL, New Delhi on topic “Global change impact on Himalayan Terrains”. 2) Dr.

A glimpse of online Chat Session organized at VP

Someshwar Das, Scientist, NCMRWF, Noida on the topic “Thunderstorms”, 3) Dr. A S Gupta, Associate Professor, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, on topic “Lumbar Spondylosis and Slipped Disc”, 4) Dr. V K Gupta, Professor, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, on the topic “HIV/AIDS”, 5) Dr Pavan Gupta, Sr. Consultant, Dharamshila Hospital and Research Centre, Delhi, on topic “Tobacco & Oral Cancer” and 6) Dr.T. Lakshmi Devi, Principal, Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences & Technology for Women, Delhi, on topic “Careers in Science & Technology”.

A link to Planet Earth special page A link has been created on VP’s website on Planet Earth for the International year of Planet Earth - 2008 of VP. The link contains contents on different aspects of Planet Earth both in English and Hindi. Further, the software brought out by VP for Planet Earth would be uploaded on the website through this link. 23

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from the on-line repository. In addition, a choice of three full-length video programmes per week is given to the visitors of the website.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Development of CD-ROM

❖ VP in collaboration with Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, is developing an interactive multimedia CD on “Biodiversity”. This is part of Planet Earth initiative of VP under the guidance of Prof. Madhav Gadgil who is also the coordinator of the joint project of VP and ARI on preparation of a database on biodiversity. The first version is already uploaded on the website of VP. CD on Optics

❖ VP in collaboration with Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) brought out a CD-ROM on “Optics”. The CD was released by the Hon’ble Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal on National Science Day, 29 February, 2008.

Development and Maintenance of Websites of DST VP has designed and developed a dynamic website for Indian Women Scientists as part of the Task Force on Women in Science set up by Government of India. Further, VP is continuing with the development and maintenance of websites of various divisions of the Department of Science & Technology; viz. International

A view of the home page of the website on www.indianwomenscientists.in

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VIPRIS Clipset The news clipping service “VIPRIS Clipset” is being continued. During the year 2007 – 2008, 24 issues of VIPRIS Clipset were brought out.

Popular Science Lectures Vigyan Prasar organized two popular science lectures jointly with National Science Centre, New Delhi. Dr. Someshwar Das, Scientist, NCMRWF, Noida, delivered a lecture on the topic “The Science of Weather Forecasting” on 07 August, 2007. Professor H. S. Virk, retired Professor of Physics, Amritsar University, delivered a lecture on the topic “Earthquake Prediction Studies in India” on 12 October 2007.

A PC INTERFACE FOR SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS ❖ Vigyan Prasar is engaged in development of new training modules/ methodologies/ devices for S&T communication. A PC Interface for Science Experiments is a novel effort to explain to students how a computer is useful in measuring and controlling physical parameters and processes.

A kit on PC Interface for Scientific Experiments

❖ A PC interface for science experiments’ kit is a software and hardware interface that has been developed by Vigyan Prasar. One can measure and control parameters like temperature, light/sound intensity, humidity, voltage, 25

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Division, DST State S&T Programme, STAC, NSTMIS, SERC, Science and Society, and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) programme.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

and so on. The interface is useful in controlling a process, for example, controlling temperature within a specified limit. The kit is fabricated and marketed by M/s Trinity Microsystems Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.

INNOVATIVE EXPERIMENTS IN PHYSICS ❖ New experiments have been identified and developed in the second phase of

❖ ❖

the project. Second volume of the interactive multimedia CD on Innovative Experiments in Physics with new sets of experiments is under development in collaboration with Department of Physics, IIT, Kanpur. VP has developed a kit on innovative experiments in Physics. About 25 activities/ experiments can be performed using the kit. The kit is very useful in conducting workshops on innovative experiments in Physics. VP and IIT, Kanpur, jointly organized a children’s science training programme during 3 October – 18 November 2007 at IIT, Kanpur. A total of 675 students (VI – VIII standard) were trained in innovative Physics activities during the workshop. Schools from nearby villages and the city of Kanpur visited the demonstration activities daily.

VIGYAN PRASAR NEWSLETTER ‘DREAM 2047’ ‘Dream 2047’, the monthly newslettercum-popular science magazine of VP is being published regularly. The print run at present is more than 52,000. VP has started a new column on observational astronomy named ‘This month’s Sky’ in the newsletter. This column gives the detailed maps of the night-sky for the readers. It shows the position of constellations and planets in the night sky for the particular month. Other details are given below:

Editorials: Cover page of ‘Dream 2047’, Popular No Wake up Call but a Screaming Siren; Science Monthly of VP Resurrecting Team India; Incandescent Bulbs: A burnt out case?; Future of wireless technology; An Orbiting Home; Rivers at risk; India at 60 – Growth and Challenges; An Adventure That Began Fifty

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Articles: How to Weigh the Stars; Linnaeus: The Founder of Modern Taxonomy; Diabetes: A Growing Health Problem; Quake Response of Flexible Buildings; Antiquity of Chilli Pepper; Sky Map; Barbara McClintock: Discovery of ‘Jumping Genes’; Diabetes and Sugar Levels; Pigeon Navigation and Earth’s Magnetic Field; Importance of Seismic Design Code; Jacques Monod: Creator of Molecular Biology; Rhesus Macaque Genome Decoded; Diabetes and Sugar Levels; Vulnerability of Brick Masonry in an A glimpse of the article of ‘Dream Earthquake; Sky Map; Dinosaur proteins 2047’ recovered; All about rockets; Titan’s organic factory; Apes could walk upright before humans; Living with diabetes; Box action in masonry buildings; Sky Map; Gene Therapy for Parkinsonism; The Man Behind Soviet Space Programme; Exercises to Fight Diabetes; Horizontal Bands Protect Against Earthquakes; Liquid Mirror Telescope on Moon; Sky Map; The origin of the universe; Yogic exercises and diabetes; Saturn’s sponge-like Moon; Vaccinating with rice; Why is vertical reinforcement required in masonry buildings?; Sky Map; Amateur Astronomy in India; Know Your Risk Score for Back Trouble; How to Make Stone Masonry Buildings Earthquake Resistant; Sky Map; Maiden Human Spaceflight; Cooking Practices, Food Beliefs and Good Health Recipes; Could Earth survive a red-giant Sun?; Source of dinosaur – killing asteroid traced; Sky Map; Global Environmental Challenge to Technological Management; Check Station: Understanding the Diagnostic Tests of the heart; How do Beams in RC Buildings Resist Earthquake?; Sky Map; Nobel Prize 2007; Bires Chandra Guha: Pioneer of Modern Biochemistry in India; All About Spinal Break and Slippage; Travails of a Science Populariser; The Promise of Giant Magnetoresistance; How do Columns in RC Buildings Resist Earthquakes?; Sky Map; Jnan Chandra Ghosh: Pioneer of Technological Education in India; Chemical Processes on Solid Surfaces; Surviving Space; When Tuberculosis Strikes the Backbone; Sky Map; How do Beam-Column Joints in RC Buildings Resist Earthquakes?; Thiruvenkata Rajendra 27

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Years Ago; Living Beyond Our Means-But How Long?; The Case of the Indian Monsoon; 2008 – The International Year of Planet Earth; A Messenger’s Messenger.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Seshadri: A Scientist of Unassailable Integrity; Marvels of Gene Targeting; All You Want To Know About Ankylosing Spondylitis; Sky Map; Why are Open-Ground Storey Building Vulnerable in Earthquakes?

PUBLICATION PROGRAMME The following books in English were brought out during the period:

❖ Glimpses into the Life and Works of J. Medhi by Chandra Kanta Chetia ❖ The Story of Chemistry by Anirban Hazra ❖ Magic Mantra for a Pain-Free Youthful Back by Dr. A.P. Singh and Dr. Yatish Agarwal

❖ The Sun by Prof. J.N. Desai, Prof. N.M. Ashok and Prof. H. S. Shah ❖ Thin Film Technology: A Layman’s Perception by Dr. V.V. Shah and Dr. Amitabh Basu

❖ Experimenting With the Quantum World by Dr. S.T. Laxmikumar

A few of the publications brought out by during the year 2007-2008

The following books in Hindi were brought out during the period:

❖ Rasayan Vigyan Ka Itihaas by Anirban Hazra ❖ Charles Darwin Ki Aatma Katha by Charles Darwin ❖ Har Cheez Kahti Hai Apni Kahani by J.B.S. Haldane ❖ Adhunik Hawai Adde by Shri Bimal Srivastava ❖ Prakriti Ki Prayogshala by Nikhil Mohan Pattnaik, Pushpashree Pattnaik 28

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

Life on Earth by Dr. Sukanya Datta Earth’s Changing Climate by Biman Basu Planet Earth in a Nutshell by Biman Basu Mangroves by Dr. R. Panneerselvam Water by P.S. Dutta Deserts by Dr. S. Mahanti The Violent Earth : Earthquakes/Tsunamis/Volcanoes by Dr. S. Mahanti Mountains under Siege by Hassan Jawaid Khan Weather Riddle by Biman Basu Snakes by Dr. Sukanya Dutta

Documenting Science Writings in Indian Languages VP has been documenting the popular science writing efforts in the past in various Indian languages. VP has already brought out volumes on science writing in Hindi and Bengali in the past. Vigyan Prasar has now taken an initiative of documenting science writings in Oriya language during the period 1850 to 1950. The initiative has been launched in collaboration with Srujanika – a Bhubaneswar based NGO working on Science education. Similar efforts are on to compile science writings in Marathi in the past jointly with Marathi Vidnyan Parishad, Mumbai.

29

Science writing in past in Bengali

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

The following ten titles on various themes of Planet Earth (both in English and Hindi) are in the process of printing and would be brought out during the International Year of Planet Earth 2008:

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

ACTIVITY KITS – DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROGRAMMES Workshops and Demonstration Programmes

❖ Demonstration

on “Emergence of Modern Physics” kit and “Astronomy” kit were organized during workshop on Innovative Physics Experiments organized during 17-19 May 2007 at Bhubaneswar (Orissa). 80 sciences teachers from different districts participated in the workshop.

Demonstration of VP Activity kits in Bhubaneswar

❖ A two-day workshop on “Astronomy” kit was conducted during 19 - 20 June 2007 on Edusat network of Vigyan Prasar.

❖ One-day demonstration programme on activity kits of VP was organized on 03 May 2007 at Bal Bharti Public School, Ghaziabad.

❖ One day lecture-cum-demonstration programme on Electronics kit and Visual books was organized on 28 July 2007 for the chain of eight Bal Bharti Public Schools at Ghaziabad.

Demonstration of VP Activity kit in Gwalior, MP

30

for students of Amity International School, Noida (UP), on 26-27 October 2007 at Vigyan Prasar.

❖ Demonstrations on activity kits on “Emergence of Modern Physics” and



“Astronomy” were organized for 50 Physics teachers of Gwalior and around during the Innovative Experiments in Physics workshop organized at Gwalior, M.P, during 3 - 4 November, 2007. Several “Do-it-yourself” activities on science were conducted in two day programme at Uttam School for Girls Ghaziabad (UP) on 19 - 20 November 2007.

HAM RADIO Demonstration and Lecture Programmes

❖ A demonstration and lecture programme on digital ham radio technologies was organized at Assam Police Radio Organization (APRO), Guwahati on 20 June2007.The programme was attended by the Assam Police officials who had earlier passed ham radio licensing examinations including a few ham radio enthusiasts of Guwahati. Demonstration and lecture programme

Demonstration at Assam Police Radio Organization (APRO), Guwahati

31

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

❖ Demonstration of “Astronomy” kit was organized during a workshop organized

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

on ham radio was organized at Vigyan Prasar for the students of Bal Bharti Public School, Brij Vihar, on 17 July 2007 and at Vishwa Bharti Public School, Noida, on 22 July 2007.

❖ Demonstration and lecture on ham radio was organized at Bharat Scouts and Guides Camping ground located at New Ashok Nagar, New Delhi on October 31, 2007. The demonstration was a part of the National Disaster Mitigation training camp organized by Bharat Scouts and Guides. Participants from different parts of the country including West Bengal, Rajasthan, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh evinced a keen interest in the hobby. Digital text messaging technology was also demonstrated and its importance in disaster management was explained.

❖ Two demonstration and lecture programmes were organized at Blue Bell Public School, Sector 10, Gurgaon on November 16, 2007, and at Uttam Public School for Girls, Ghaziabad on November 19, 2007.

Amateur Radio Foxhunt event at IIT, Kanpur

❖ Demonstration and lecture programmes on new ham radio digital communication techno- logies were organized at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur during 15 – 17 February 2008 on the occasion of TECHKRITI 08 - annual technical festival of IIT, Kanpur.

32

Reporting System) was organized at Dehradun on 01 March 2008 on the occasion of a State Science and Technology Youth Festival-2008 on a request from UCOST, Govt. of Uttarakhand. 150 NSS volunteers from 13 districts participated in the programme.

Ham radio meeting and awareness programme

❖ A meeting of radio amateurs was organized by Vigyan Prasar on 15 April 2007 at VP premises. 35 active hams from New Delhi and Lucknow attended the meeting which was presided over by Dr. V.B. Kamble, VU2VBK. During the meeting, APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) technology including its web integration was demonstrated. by Shri Sandeep Baruah, VU2MUE. A presentation on the present status of amateur radio in India was shown and the different issues and problems of amateur radio promotion in India were highlighted.

❖ A ham radio awareness programme was organized at National Rail Museum, Delhi on 17 – 18 November, 2007 on the occasion of Rail Utsav 2007.

Technical upgradation The analogue to digital converter kit received from Spain for the Satellite Ham transceiver was assembled in-house. The controller was calibrated for precise automatic beaming and tracking of celestial objects (including 20,000 satellites). The A/D converter board is now connected to the Rotor controller and to a desktop computer for automatic tracking (www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/ham/aprs).

Training and demonstration programme of Ham radio at Uttarakhand

Training Programme on Ham Radio

❖ Two ham radio installation and training workshops were conducted during the period 18–23 August 2007 at Haldwani and Dehradun Uttarakhand) respectively following a request by the National Service Scheme, Dehradun (Uttarakhand).The programme was catalyzed and 33

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

❖ Demonstration and lecture programme on APRS (Automatic Position

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Ham Radio training workshop at Haldwani, Uttarakhand

supported jointly by Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology (UCOST), Department of Science and Technology, Govt of Uttarakhand (Dehradun), and VP.

❖ As a follow up of the training programme conducted by VP last year, National Service Scheme, Uttarakhand, procured ham radio equipments for two locations: M.B. Government. (P.G.) College, Haldwani (Nainital) and Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Dehradun. Both the stations are now installed and made operational by VP.

VIGYAN PRASAR NETWORK OF SCIENCE CLUBS (VIPNET) ❖ “VIPNET NEWS”, VP’s monthly newsletter for VIPNET science clubs was brought out regularly during the period. The newsletter covers interactive and informative articles and activities on biodiversity, nature, environment and various issues of weather, climate, astronomy and related themes. As the year 2008 is being celebrated as “International Year of Planet Earth”, “VIPNET NEWS” carries articles covering various sub-themes like – Groundwater, Hazards, Earth & Health, Climate, Resources, Mega cities, Deep Earth, Ocean, Soil, and bringing awareness about various aspects of the Planet Earth. Vigyan Prasar has started Crossword and Puzzle on Planet Earth. The present circulation of “VIPNET News” stands at 11000.

❖ During 2007 – 2008, 1797 new VIPNET science clubs have been affiliated to VIPNET from different parts of the country. 34

States/UTs

No. of VIPNET Clubs

Andhra Pradesh Andaman & Nicobar Arunachal Pradesh Assam Bihar Chandigarh Chhattisgarh Delhi Goa Gujarat Haryana Himachal Pradesh J&K Jharkhand Karnataka Kerala Maharashtra Manipur Meghalaya MP Mizoram Nagaland Orissa Puducherry Punjab Rajasthan Sikkim Tamil Nadu Tripura UP UT of Lakshadweep Uttaranchal West Bengal

134 2 3 201 1290 3 210 206 15 64 93 38 140 135 33 25 328 13 4 1864 1 2 922 2 182 181 36 121 33 1127 7 225 588

TOTAL

8228 35

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Present status of VIPNET clubs in the country:-

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

VIPNET Orientation Programmes

❖ Vigyan Prasar and Society for Socioeconomic Development (VIPNET Cluster), Begusarai, Bihar organized a two day VIPNET orientation programme on 11-13 October, 2007 at Bharadwaj Gurukul School, Begusarai, Bihar. 50 A glimpse of the VIPNET Orientation Programme at Begusarai, Bihar participants from Khagaria, Supoul, Kishanganj, Patna, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Araria, Katihar and Begusarai districts participated in the workshop.

❖ Vigyan Prasar and Creative Science Club (VIPNET Cluster), Delhi, organized VIPNET Orientation Programme on 17 October, 2007 in Karkarduma Area, Delhi. Some 75 school children participated in the programme. Activities on International Year of Planet Earth- 2008 were initiated during the programme. Night sky watching and popular science lectures were organized during the orientation programme.

❖ A two-day orientation workshop was organized on 11-12 February 2008 for science teachers and VIPNET club members at Raipur, Chattisgarh. During the workshop various science club activities were organized. Around 80 science teachers from 19 different districts from the state had participated in the orientation programme.

ASTRONOMY ACTIVITIES Astronomy Workshops and Training Programmes

❖ Vigyan Prasar organized an astronomy workshop for the VIPNET clubs of Tamil Nadu. The programme was organized in collaboration with Tamil Nadu State Council of S&T at Periyar Science Center, Chennai during 02 – 06 April 2007. Sixty teachers participated in the workshop. Activities related to astronomy like activity kit, hands on activities, assembling of telescope, night sky watching, quiz etc were conducted in the workshop. 36

a workshop on Innovative Experiments in Physics held during 02 – 04 May 2007. In this workshop, astronomy lectures and demonstration, night sky watching was conducted to the physics teachers of Puducherry and around.

❖ A night sky watching and planet-viewing, programme was organized at Apollo International School, Sonepat (Haryana) on 02 June 2007 night. On 2 June, 2007 night, all the seven planets of our solar system were visible. VP’s Celestron CGE 11’’ and 80mm Newtonian reflector telescopes were used to show the planets and the moon to the gathered audience. Nearly 200 people witnessed the event.

Telescope making workshop at Chennai

❖ Two training programmes were organized for the schools students of Sunrise School, Sector-25 Noida and Amity International Schools Delhi and NCR during 27 to 29 July 2007 and 27 to 29 August 2007. Training on astronomy kit, hands on activities, night sky watching and viewing of planets, moon etc was organized. Apart from the training programmes, some of the lectures and demonstrations were also organized for the students. 37

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

❖ A workshop was organized on Astronomy activities at Puducherry during

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Occultation of Venus by Moon

❖ On the occasion of the Occultation of Venus by Moon on 18 June 2007, Vigyan Prasar in collaboration with Nehru Planetarium, Science Popularization Association of communicators and Educators (SPACE), and Association

People viewing occultation of Venus by Moon at Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi

of Amateur Astronomers of Delhi (AAAD) organized a sky observation session for public from Delhi and neighbourhood at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. The event was witnessed by nearly 1000 people around Jantar Mantar. The event was extensively covered by electronic and print media.

Astronomy Activities on Edusat Network

‘Measure the Earth’ – A programme through Edusat network

❖ Vigyan Prasar in collaboration with Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) organized a national programme for the school students through SIT terminals of Edusat network location across the country. On 22 December 2007 (winter solstice) a programme of measurement of shadow of the gnomon (to find out the north-south line and latitude of the place) was conducted. The programme was a success where most of the students were able to find the latitude and longitude of their place within an accuracy of ±10.

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for all SIT located all over the country during the year. There were around ten astronomy popularization activities which were conducted for the participants on Edusat network.

Activity Book for International Heliophysical Year 2007

❖ An activity book on Sun-Moon-Earth was developed by VP on the occasion of the heliophysical year 2007. The activity book consisting of 15 activities was used as a resource material for the participants on Edusat Network in workshops conducted in the month of July and August 2007.

TRAINING AND DISSEMINATION

Activity book on SunMoon-Earth

Workshop on Innovative Physics Experiments for School Teachers

❖ A three day workshop on Innovative Experiments in Physics was organized for physics teachers of Puducherry from 02 to 04 May 2007 jointly with Pondicherry Science Forum. Nearly 70 teachers of Puducherry and other nearby districts of Tamil Innovative Physics Experiments workshop at Puducherry Nadu participated in the workshop. Around 50 experiments in physics were demonstrated by resource person in the workshop.

❖ A workshop on Innovative Physics Experiments was organized during 17 and 19 May 2007 at Bhuvaneswar (Orissa). Around 80 science teachers from different districts of Orissa participated in the workshop. 39

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

❖ VP organized a series of astronomy popularization activities on Edusat network

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

❖ A two-day workshop on Innovative Physics Experiments for science teachers and VIPNET club members of Madhya Pradesh region was organized at Gwalior. The workshop was conducted jointly with Yuva Vigyan Parishad Gwalior on 3-4 November 2007. About 150 teachers from different districts of Madhya Pradesh participated in the workshop.

❖ Vigyan Prasar and Society for Socio Economic Development Begusarai, Bihar organized a two day workshop on Innovative Physics Experiments for teachers on 11 – 13 October, 2007 at Bharadwaj Gurukul School, Begusarai, Bihar. 50 teachers from ten districts from Bihar participated in the workshop.

Prof. H C Verma, IIT, Kanpur, demonstrating Innovative Physics experiments at Gujarat Science City

❖ A state level training programme on Innovative Experiments in Physics was organized by Vigyan Prasar in association with the Gujarat Council of Science City during 11 to 13 January 2008 at Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad. About participants from secondary / higher secondary schools and college physics teachers from different districts of Gujarat participated in the workshop. A session was organized to initiate them into science popularization activities and VIPNET science clubs.

40

Perfect Health Mela, 2007 Vigyan Prasar organized a series of competitions during 30 October 2007 to 03 November 2007 at Perfect Health Mela organized by Heart Care Foundation of India, New Delhi. Around 28 schools from NCR Delhi were invited daily to participate in these competitions. Vigyan Prasar also gave special prizes in the form of its publication to the winners of science quiz and other competitions.

Perfect Health Mela, Delhi

Gwalior Mela- 2008 A month long activity corner was organized in historical Gwalior Trade fair jointly with Yuva Vigyan Parishad Gwalior, an S&T based agency of Madhya Pradesh during 05 January 2008 to 05 February 2008. This was the third year in row when Vigyan Prasar put up an activity corner-cum-exhibition. This year the theme of the exhibition was “Dharti Meri Dharti”. On an average about six to seven thousand people visited the activity corner of VP per day. Special sessions were organized for students utilizing the activity kits / modules of VP. 41

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

SCIENCE MELAS

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Activity Corner at Gwalior Mela, Gwalior

COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMMES Science Workshop for Trainers of Pratham Vigyan Prasar organized a three day science workshop for trainers jointly with Pratham, an NGO working in slum areas of Delhi and NCR region and Amity International School, Noida (UP) on 30 January to 1 February 2008 at Amity International School Noida. The main objective of the workshop was to train the trainers and the workers of Pratham running library scheme in the Government schools of Noida district in informal and interesting way of teaching science. VP organized activities on Astronomy and demonstration of its activity kits/modules. About 46 trainers and workers of Pratham participated in the workshop. At the end of the workshop an activity calendar was finalized and given to each participant. The feedback of each month from each school will be compiled by Pratham and sent to Vigyan Prasar.

Rail Utsav 2007 at National Rail Museum, New Delhi

❖ A Science Fair during Rail Utsav 2007 was conducted jointly with National Rail Museum, New Delhi during November 17-18, 2007. Activities on food adulteration, demonstration of ham radio, low cost science experiments and science toys from waste material were organized the in

42

❖ As a joint initiative with National Rail Museum, VP organized two activity based summer camps for children from June 12 to 24, 2007 at New Delhi. An activity package for the programme was designed comprising various observational and experimental activities including information based lectures and films. More than 250 students participated in these summer camps.

Science Awareness programme with Bhartiya Shiksha Samiti

❖ Vigyan Prasar and Bhartiya Shiksha Samiti, Pashchimi U.P organized a three day Science Awareness Training Workshop on 14-16 September, 2007 at Bhaurao Devras Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Noida. More than 65 science teacher from various branches of Saraswati Vidya Mandir participated in the workshop. Hands-on activities, science behind miracles, demonstration of Astronomy and Earthquake kits and popular science lectures on

Science Awareness programme with Bhartiya Shiksha Samiti, Noida

Biotechnology, role of science in society and solar system were also organized. A VIPNET orientation programme for science clubs was organized. 43

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

science fair. Demonstration of various science kits (Astronomy, Emergence of Modern Science etc.) and display of publications and CDs were also organized in the fair.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Training Programme for Young TV Producers in Science Communication at Ahmedabad

❖ Vigyan Prasar organized a five day training programme for young TV producers in science communication jointly with Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad and Audio-Video Communication for Development & Education (AV-CODE), Ahmedabad, on February 9-13, 2008 at Ahmedabad. Over 30 selected participants from different mass communication and journalism institutes participated in the programme.

Participants from different mass communication and journalism institutes at Ahmedabad during training programme of the young TV producer

❖ The objective of the programme was to expose young budding communicators to science communication. It was a five day programme which covered different aspects of science communication, concept and brief development, script writing and hands-on video production exercises. During the programme, participants in 4 groups produced four science programmes on Space Debris (Space Pollution), The science of acoustics (Physics), Reason of sweating (Zoology) and Photosynthesis (Botany).

Science Communication Programme with Agharkar Research Institute, Pune

❖ Vigyan Prasar and Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, have taken initiative to take up science communication programmes as part of the 44

Shri Arvind Gupta demonstrating low -cost hands-on-activities at ARI, Pune

❖ As part of the joint initiative with ARI, Pune, VP organized a three day training programme at ARI during 09– 11 August 2007. 60 schools teachers of Pune district attended the workshop. In the workshop, innovative experiments in physics, lecture-cum-demonstration on hands-on activities in science were demonstrated and conducted respectively.

“ENDEAVOUR-2007” at Uttam School for Girls, Ghaziabad

❖ A science feast “ENDEAVOUR-2007” at Ghaziabad was organized during November 19-20, 2007 with VIPNET Science club, Uttam School for girls Ghaziabad. This programme was based on theme “Planet Earth”. About 14 schools of NCR participated in this programme. Several activities including debates, bio-rangoli, project display, scientoons were organized during the programme. Fifteen students from Singapore also participated in the programme. 45

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

International Year of Planet Earth – 2008. As part of the joint programme, a database of hypotheses relating to various aspects of biodiversity, comprising about 125 project-ideas, has been developed. The detailed methodologies of some selected hypothesis have also been developed. Based on these hypotheses, a few colleges and schools of Pune have already started project work. For VIPNET clubs, a manual will be developed. The database on hypotheses and project ideas is being made available on the website of Vigyan Prasar.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Collaborative Programme with NAM S&T Centre, New Delhi

❖ Proceedings of the African Regional Conference, Lusaka, Zambia 10 – 14 January 2006 on “The Enhanced Role of Science Centres and Museums in Developing Strategies” were jointly brought out by VP and NAM S&T Centre, New Delhi. The publication was edited by Dr. V B Kamble, Director, VP.

INITIATIVES IN THE NORTH-EAST ❖ As a special initiative to enhance S&T content in the media and print, a 26episode radio programme on biodiversity as part of the Planet Earth, especially on the resources of North Eastern States was produced jointly by Vigyan Prasar, AIR (Guwahati), and Assam Science, Technology and Environment Council, Guwahati. The serial on biodiversity was broadcast from 08 November, 2007. The basic format of the serial was docu-drama and each episode was interactive and selected listeners were given prizes by Vigyan Prasar.

❖ A 13 - episode radio serial on science fiction was produced in Nepali and Bengali jointly with AIR, Gangtok, and AIR, Kolkata respectively. The serial was broadcast from AIR stations of Kurseong, Gangtok in Nepali and six stations of West Bengal in Bengali and covered Silchar in Assam and Agartala, in Tripura. The broadcast began in January 2008.

Script writing workshop for radio serial on Planet Earth in Assamese at Guwahati

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❖ As part of the Planet Earth 2008, VP has taken up programmes for various target groups that include publications, Radio/TV programmes, activity kits and exhibitions on different aspects of Planet Earth.

❖ The training programme for Resource Persons will be taken up jointly with the Govt. Non Govt. organizations and agencies like NCSTC from August 2008 onwards.

❖ Broadcast of a 52 episode radio serial “Dharti Meri Dharti” has commenced from January 2008. The programme is being produced in 19 Indian languages including English and broadcast from 117 radio stations of AIR, covering about 95 per cent of geographic area of the country. The basic format of the programme is docu-drama, where through the eye of a child, an attempt has been made to understand the planet earth and its dynamics. The programme is interactive and listeners are also participating in this programme by answering questions asked at the end of each episode. The list of AIR stations from where the radio serial “Dharti Meri Dharti” is being broadcast is given on page no 49. Vigyan Prasar will be giving prizes in the form of books and other software.

❖ VP is in the process of bringing out 15 titles on different aspects of Planet Earth. 10 titles in English and Hindi are in different stages of printing.

❖ The production of 26-episode TV serial on Planet Earth has begun. The telecast of the serial is likely to commence from July 2008 on DD National channel.

❖ Collaborative project with Agharkar Research Institute, Pune under the guidance of Professor Madhav Gagdil is underway. The first draft of the CD on “Biodiversity” is ready. As part of this project, a core resource group of

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VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE PLANET EARTH - 2008

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Some of the publications brought out by VP for the International year of Planet Earth 2008

subject experts has been created online to provide a platform for uploading content, and editing the content on the pattern of wikipedia.

❖ A set of 21 posters on different topics on ‘Planet Earth’ are in process of finalization and would be brought out soon. Resource material in the form of power point presentations in CD is being prepared for the Master Resource Training Programme on Planet Earth.

❖ Activity Kits on Biodiversity and Weather are under preparation. ❖ Training programmes and field level activities involving VIPNET Science Clubs and science communicators has started.

Glimpses of few posters to be brought during the Planet Earth 2008

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Language

State

Broadcast Centre

Time

Hindi

Delhi

Delhi-A

Sunday 9.10 – 9.40 AM

A&N

Port Blair

A’chal Pradesh

Itanagar,Passighat, Tawang

A.P.

Hyd-B

Bihar

Patna, Bhagalpur, Sasaram, Darbhanga, Purnea

Chattisgarh

Raipur, Jagdalpur, Ambikapur

Haryana

Hissar, Kurukshetra, Rohtak

H.P.

Dharamshala, Shimla

J&K

Jammu, Leh

Jharkhand

Jamshedpur, Daltoganj, Ranchi

M.P.

Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Chhatarpur, Gwalior, Rewa

Meghalaya

NES, Shillong

Rajasthan

Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer, Suratgarh, Bikaner, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Kota

Uttarakhand

Almora, Pauri

U.P.

Agra, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Faizabad, Jhansi, Mathura, Najibabad, Rampur, Varanasi, Allahabad

Delhi

Delhi-B

Meghalaya

Tura

Tamil Nadu

Chennai-B

Maharashtra

Mumbai-B

W.B.

Kolkata-B

Telugu

A.P.

Hyderabad-A, Vijayawada, Cuddapah, Adilabad, Visakhapatnam, Triupati

Sunday 9.35–10.05 AM

Assamese

Assam

Guwahati, Dibrugarh

Sunday 9.50–10.20 AM

Konkani

Goa

Panaji

Sunday 9.30–10.00 AM

Gujarati

Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Rajkot, Godhra

Monday 9.30–10.00 PM

Kashmiri

J&K

Srinagar

Tuesday 9.30–10.00 PM

Kannada

Karnataka

Bangalore, Bhadrawati, Mysore, Dharwad, Gulbarga

Sunday 9.05–9.35 AM

Malyalayam

Kerala

Calicut (Kozhikode), Trichur, Trivandrum

Sunday 11.00–11.30 AM

English

49

Sunday 9.40–10.10 AM

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

List of AIR Stations from where the radio serial “Dharti Meri Dharti” is being broadcast in 19 languages

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Language

State

Broadcast Centre

Time

Marathi

Maharashtra

Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Pune, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Sangli, Mumbai-A, Ratnagir, Parbani

Sunday 7.20–7.50 AM

Manipuri

Manipur

Imphal

Sunday 6.35–7.05 PM

Khasi

Meghalaya

Shillong

Saturday 9.00–9.30 AM

Mizo

Mizoram

Aizawl

Saturday 8.35–9. 05 AM

Nagamese

Nagaland

Kohima

Tuesday 12.30–1.00 PM

Oriya

Orissa

Cuttack, Sambalpur, Behrampur, Jeypore, Bhawanipatna, Rourkela, Baripada

Sunday 8.30–9.00 AM

Punjabi

Punjab

Bhatinda, Jallandhar, Patiala

Sunday 10.00–10.30 AM

Nepali

Sikkim

Gangtok

Saturday 9.30–10.00 AM

W.B.

Kurseong

Tamilnadu

Chennai-A, Combatore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli,

Tamil

Saturday 8.00–8.30 PM

Tirunelvelli, Karaikal Bengali

Pondicherry

Pondicherry

Tripura

Agartala, Kailashahar

W.B. Assam

Kolkata-A, Murshidabad, Siliguri Silchar

Sunday11.00–11.30 AM

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS National Seminar on Changing Trends in Science Communication Vigyan Prasar jointly with Institute of Management Studies (IMS), Noida organized a two-day national seminar on “Changing Trends in Science Communication” during 9 – 10 February 2008. The objective of the seminar was to develop a national level think tank on science communication and to discuss and analyze present scenario of science coverage in various media. The seminar was inaugurated by Prof. V. S. Ramamurthy, Former Secretary, DST, Govt. of India and presently Chairman, Board of

Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy addressing the National seminar at IMS, Noida

50

There were six technical sessions namely, ‘Role of Print Media S&T Communication’; ‘Role of Electronic Media in Science Communication’; ‘Role of Scientists in Science Communication’; ‘Role of S&T Communication in Social Development and Region Specific Impact of Science Communication’; ‘Emerging New Technologies/New Media Science Communication’; and ‘Enhancement of Scientific Temper through Traditional Media’.

9th National Science Fiction Conference at Puducherry Vigyan Prasar jointly with Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies (IASFS) organized the 9th National Science Fiction Conference at Puducherry on 8-9 December, 2007. In the conference the usefulness of science fiction in the inculcation of scientific attitude in the society was emphasized. Papers related to science fiction in English and other Indian languages were presented.

9th National Science Fiction Conference, Puducherry

51

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Governors, IIT Delhi and DAE Homi Bhabha Chair Professor, Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi. 35 delegates from different parts of the country (from various Media Institutes, News papers and TV Channels) presented their papers in the seminar.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

A Symposium on Science Writing in Hindi A symposium on science writing in Hindi was organized by VP on 20 September 2007 at VP titled Vichar Goshthi: Hindi mein Vigyan Lekhan” in which senior litterateurs, journalists, scientists and science writers participated. In the symposium the need to have good number of popular science material in Hindi particularly in emerging areas was discussed. This goshthi has created a sustainable platform for Hindi science writing and the goshthi felt that a regular forum would strengthen the cause of science writing in Hindi.

Hindi Vichar Goshti at Vigyan Prasar

7th National Science Communication Congress, New Delhi Vigyan Prasar participated in the 7th National Science Communication Congress organized by Indian Science Writers Association, New Delhi held during 5 to 9 December, 2007 at INSA, New Delhi.

National Children Science Congress, Baramati Vigyan Prasar participated in the National Children Science Congress which was organized at Baramati (Maharashtra) from 27 – 31 December, 2007. VP’s publications and software were put up during the programme. A survey was conducted regarding the perception of children about the programme. 52

Dr. V B Kamble, Director, Vigyan Prasar, participated in the Fifth International Workshop on “Enhancing Change through Science Centres” at Johannesburg, South Africa, during the period 25 – 26 February 2008 as a GOI nominee.. The workshop was organized by the Centre for Science and Technology of the NonAligned and other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre), New Delhi, and Department of Science and Technology, Republic of South Africa. Dr. Kamble Presented a paper entitled “Enhancing Change through Science Centers: An Indian Perspective”, Dr. T.V. Venkateswaran, Scientist “E”, Vigyan Prasar was on deputation to Leiden University, Netherlands during 25 – 29 February, 2008 to participate in the “Universe Awareness Multidisciplinary workshop”.

BOOK FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS Vigyan Prasar participated in World Book Fair during August 2007 and Delhi Book Fair during September, 2007 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. VP participated in number of book fairs and exhibition in the country during the year like Barielly, (U.P) and Chennai in July 2007, Dimapur, (Nagaland) and Nagpur in August, 2007, Kanpur, IIT in November, 2007 and Pune in December, 2007.

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Dr. Subodh Mahanti, Scientist “F” was awarded Bal Evam Kishore Sahitya Samman by the Hindi Academy for the book “Vigyan Ke Ananya Pathik”.

Dr S Mahanti receiving Maghnad Saha Puraskar from Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, DST

53

Dr. Subodh Mahanti also received the Maghnad Saha Puraskar for the manuscript “Bhautiki Ka Itihas – Ek Jhalak” (Hindi). The award was presented to Dr.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

PARTICIPATION OF VP OFFICIALS IN INTERNATIONAL SEMINARS/ CONFERENCES

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Subodh Mahanti by Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, DST at Technology Bhavan, DST on 03 December, 2007.

LIBRARY Total Number of books in library till the year ending was 3800. Total Number of journals/magazines subscribed is 15.

DESK CALENDAR FOR YEAR 2008 Vigyan Prasar brought out a Desk calendar for the year 2008 on the various themes of ‘International Year of Planet Earth’ like Glaciers, Mountains, Deserts, Mangroves, Birds, Endangered species, etc.

54

(A) INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE PLANET EARTH 2008 As part of the Planet Earth 2008, VP has taken up theme based programmes for various target groups that include publications, Radio/TV programmes, activity kits and exhibitions on different aspects of Planet Earth. ❖ Broadcast of a 52 episode radio serial “Dharti Meri Dharti” from January 2008. The programme is being produced in 19 Indian languages including English and broadcast from 117 radio stations of AIR, covering geographically about 95 % area of the country.

❖ Publication of 15 titles on different aspects of Planet Earth. ❖ The production of 26-episode TV serial on Planet Earth. ❖ A CD on Biodiversity would be brought out jointly with Agharkar Research Institute, Pune. A core resource group of subject experts has been created online to provide a platform for uploading content, on the pattern of wikipedia on VP’s website.

❖ A set of 21 posters on different topics on ‘Planet Earth’. ❖ Resource material in the form of power point presentations in CD for the Master Resource Training Programme on Planet Earth.

❖ Activity Kits on Biodiversity and Weather. 55

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 2008-2009

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

❖ Training programmes and field level activities involving VIPNET Science Clubs and science communicators.

❖ The training programme for Resource Persons jointly with the Govt./Non Govt. organizations and agencies like NCSTC from August 2008 onward.

(B) INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY 2009 ❖ The year 2009 has been designated as the International year of Astronomy by the United National Organization. During the International Year of Astronomy 2009, Vigyan Prasar has planned an ambitious campaign for popularization of astronomy in India. The programme would encompass aspects from history of astronomy to the present state of knowledge and technology with emphasis to India. It is proposed to utilize different means, media and modes for the purpose. In particular, the following major activities have been planned:

❖ Production and broadcast of a 52 - episode radio serial on astronomy in 19 Indian languages including English. The programme would be broadcast from over 100 stations of All India Radio throughout the country.

❖ Production and telecast of a 26-episode television serial on astronomy in Hindi. The programme would be telecast from the National Channel of Doordarshan. Later, the 26 episode would be dubbed into 12 Indian languages and telecast from the regional network of Doordarshan spread in the country.

❖ Publication of about 15 titles on various topics of astronomy in English and Hindi. These titles would be translated in other Indian languages later on.

❖ Development of a low cost activity kit-cum-educational package containing 25 – 30 activities on basic aspects / phenomena of astronomy. The activity kit would be brought out in English and Hindi.

❖ Lecture / demonstrations on various aspects of astronomy in association with scientists / organizations working in the field of astronomy / astrophysics.

❖ Training programmes for resource persons from different regions / states of India. The trained resource persons would in turn train more communicators in their states / provinces, deliver talks and conduct activities on popular 56

❖ A special campaign on astronomy popularization built around the total solar eclipse of 22 July 2009 which would be visible from India. This would give an opportunity to address several unscientific beliefs and superstitions associated with astronomical phenomena.

❖ Telescope making workshops would be organized in different parts of the country.

❖ A series of popular science lectures on different aspects of Astronomy would be organized.

❖ CDs on Astronomy and Eclipses would be brought out during the International Year of Astronomy.

(C) THE REGULAR PROGRAMMES INCLUDING THE ONGOING ACTIVITIES OF VIGYAN PRASAR WOULD BE CONTINUED DURING THE YEAR 2008 - 2009.

57

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

aspects of astronomy. This programme would be organized in collaboration with government / non-government organizations engaged in science / astronomy popularization.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE POLICY ❖ Vigyan Prasar consciously tries to bring out publications in Hindi. The following Hindi titles were brought out during 2007 - 2008:





Rasayan Vigyan Ka Itihaas by Anirban Hazra



Chales Darwin Ki Aatma Katha by Charles Darwin



Har Cheez Kahti Hai Apni Kahani by J..B.S. Haldane



Adhunik Hawai Adde by Shri Bimal Srivastava



Prakriti Ki Prayogshala by Nikhil Mohan Pattnaik, Pushpashree Pattnaik

Vigyan Prasar’s Newsletter ‘Dream-2047’ was brought out in Hindi. “VIPNET News”, a newsletter for VIPNET clubs covers many articles in Hindi besides English.

❖ Vigyan Prasar’s website www.vigyanprasar.gov.in is now available in Hindi as well.

❖ Printing of the Hindi versions of following titles is underway ❖ My Friend Mr. Leaky by J.B.S. Haldane ❖ Understanding Asthma by Dr. S.K. Sharma ❖ Hello Stars by Usha Srinivasan

58

correspondence, files, letterheads, visiting cards, etc. were strictly followed.



VP organized and celebrated the Hindi week during the period 14 September 2007 to 30 September 2007. A Hindi essay writing competition was organized for the staff members of Vigyan Prasar.

❖ Staff members were encouraged to carry out their day-to-day work in Hindi.

59

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

❖ The guidelines stipulated in the Official Language Policy with regard to

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

GENERAL AND GOVERNING BODY MEETINGS

GENERAL BODY The 18 th General Body meeting was held on November 24, 2007, at Technology Bhawan, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of its President, Shri Kiran Karnik.

GOVERNING BODY The 33rd and 34th Governing Body meetings were held on November 24, 2007 and April 15, 2008 respectively, at Technology Bhawan, New Delhi, under the Chairmanship of Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, DST. The 21st and 22nd meetings of the Finance Committee were held on October 09, 2007 and March 2008 at Technology Bhawan, New Delhi.

VISITS OF PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE NIL

HRD PROGRAMMES UNDERTAKEN Training of VP staff Shri Kapil Tripathi, Scientist “C”, was deputed in the Seventh Foundation Training Programme for Scientists and Technologists, from 6 August 2007 to 13 October 2007 (ten weeks residential), at Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. The training programme was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

60

Action taken on Auditor’s Report: Necessary action taken.

Steps taken or visualized for internal mobilization of resources: Sale of software/books/slide-sets/cassettes and receipts on this account, accounted for in the books.

NUMBER OF PATENTS FILED/TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERRED FOR COMMERCIAL USE One patent was filed for ‘Visual Book’ and the patent has been granted to VP.

61

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

FINANCE

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

ANNEXURE I: MANPOWER, BUDGET & FACILITIES AVAILABLE

ANNEXURE II: AUDITORS’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED ON 31 MARCH 2008.

ANNEXURE III: COMPLIANCE REPORT ON THE OBSERVATIONS RAISED BY THE AUDITORS.

62

1.

MANPOWER

1.1

Status of SC/ST/OBC Reservation

The initial process of creation of posts in VP has been completed. Now, Vigyan Prasar is in the process of inducting regular staff. In pursuance of the instructions of the National Commission on Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes and OBC, it will be our endeavour to take all necessary steps and actions that need to be taken.

1.2

Personnel Profile

Regular Scientific / Technical Professional Group

No. of Scientific/

Academic Qualification

Administrative/

Technical Personnel

of the existing Staff

Scretarial

3*

M.Sc./M.A., Ph.D

1

7

M.Sc/M. Tech/MBA

B

Nil

-

Nil

C

1

M.Sc

7

D

Nil

-

3

A

* Presently Dr. V. B. Kamble, Scientist ‘G’, DST, is the Director of Vigyan Prasar.

Service Agency Eleven persons are employed on daily wages basis

Consultants and Fellows Fellows

-

1

63

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

ANNEXURE I

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Project employees Seven persons are employed on various projects

2. BUDGET Grant of Rs.800 lakhs was released by DST and the actual amount spent during 2007 – 2008 was Rs.798.39 lakhs.

3. FACILITIES AVAILABLE Hardware facilities purchased through DGS&D during the year:

❖ 36 computers were purchased and installed at different SIT Terminals located within the country for Edusat Network

❖ Two scanners and two computers. ❖ One Black and White and one colour laser printers.

64

D.D. Agrawal Chartered Accountants

413 Vikas Deep Laxmi Nagar Distt. Centre (Near Coffee Home) New Delhi - 11 0092 Phone: 22437235, 22430486 AUDITOR’S REPORT

We have examined the Balance Sheet of Vigyan Prasar, A-50, Institutional Area Sector 62, Noida 201 307, U.P, as at 31st March 2008 and the Income & Expenditure Account along with Receipts & Payment Account for the year ended on that date which are in agreement with the books of account maintained by the said society. We report that: a)

We have obtained all the information and explanation, which to best of our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purpose of the audit.

b)

In our opinion, proper books of accounts have kept by the society so far as appears from our examination of the books of account subject to the point no. 8 of notes on account mentioned in schedule 13 of the Balance Sheet as at 31.03.2008.

c)

In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the information given to us, the said account read with notes thereon give a true and fair view. (i) In the case of the Balance Sheet of the state of affairs of the above named society as at 31st march 2008 and (ii) In the case of the Income & Expenditure account of the excess of income over expenditure of its accounting year ending on 31st March 2008. For KBL Agrawal & Co.

Sd/D.D. Agrawal (Partner) Chartered Accountants Date: 05.09.2008 Place: New Delhi

65

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

ANNEXURE II

66

3

CURRENT LIABILITIES AND PROVISIONS

Date : 8/9/2009 Place: New Delhi

Sd/(D D AGRAWAL) Partner

Sd/(M.L. Mudgel) Accounts Officer

Signed as per our report of even date attached For K B L Agrawal & Co. Chartered Accountants

NOTES ON ACCOUNTS & ACCOUNTING POLICIES

TOTAL

CURRENT ASSETS, LOANS, ADVANCES ETC.

FIXED ASSETS

ASSETS

Sd/(V.K. Joshi) Registrar

13

5

4

2

EARMARKED/ENDOWMENT FUNDS

TOTAL

1

Schedule

CORPUS/CAPITAL FUND

CORPUS/CAPITAL FUND AND LIABILITIES

4,75,82,484.22

3,26,63,441.16

1,49,19,043.06

4,75,82,484.22

34,80,290.90

(-)2,49,174.00

4,43,51,367.32

Previous year

Amount (Rs.)

Sd/(Dr. V.B. Kamble) Director

5,26,00,920.63

3,82,60,449.26

1,43,40,471.37

5,26,00,920.63

22,97,259.40

2,30,373.00

5,00,73,288.23

Current Year

VIGYAN PRASAR, A-50, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR-62, NOIDA-201307 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31/03/2008

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

67 2,93,420.00

c) Utilisation/Expenditure towards objectives of funds

Project

89,900

Nil

Nil

89,900

Nil

89,900

UNESCO

(-)2,44,514

1,70,455.00

1,70,455.00

(-)74,059.00

Nil

(-)74,059.00

Good Laboratory Practice

3,33286

2,76,934

2,76,934

6,10,220

6,10,220

Nil

Women In Science

(-)34,352

39,682

39,682

5,330.00

Nil

5,330.00

STACProject

(-)1,02,646

44,000

44,000

58,646

Nil

(-)58,646

Science& Society

(-)93,500

Nil

Nil

(-)93,500

Nil

(-) 93,500

State Science & Technology

5,00,73,288.23

Vigyan Rail

31,558

Nil

Nil

31,558

Nil

31,558

1,50,650

Nil

Nil

1,50,650

1,54,200

(-)3,550

International DivisionDST

1,68,51,935

1,66,02,761

3,58,906

1,62,43,855

Previous Year

2,30,373.00 (-)2,49,174

10,15,988.00 1,68,51,935

10,15,988

12,46,361

14,95,535

(-)2,49,174

Current Year

Total

Amount (Rs.)

4,43,51,367.32

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

(-)1,61,601 1,14,590 1,47,002.00

NET BALANCE AS AT THE YEAR-END (a+b-c)

1,91,497.00

1,91,497.00

2,93,420.00

Nil

Nil

3,38,499.00

Total (c)

Expenditure during the year

1,31,819.00 1,14,590

5,31,115.00

Total (a + b)

Nil

2,00,000.00

NSTMIS

b) Additions

IDRC Project

(-)68,181.00 1,14,590 (-)1,92,616.00

SERC

a) Opening balance

EARMARKED/ ENDOWMENT FUNDS

SCHEDULE 2

– END

4,43,51,367.32

5,00,73,288.23

BALANCE AS AT THE YEAR

28,66,342.00

10,00,000.00

Add: Reserve (FCT from telecasting)

1,31,84,066.45

2,83,00,958.87

Previous year

47,21,920.91

4,43,51,367.32

Current Year

Amount (Rs.)

Add: Excess of Income transferred from Income and Expenditure A/c

Balance as at beginning of the year

CORPUS/CAPITAL FUND

SCHEDULE 1

VIGYAN PRASAR, A-50, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR-62, NOIDA-201307 SCHEDULE FORMING PART OF BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31/03/2008

68 Total

M/s Wipro India Electricity charges Telephone VIPRIS Clipset Workshop/Orientation Programme Insurance Medical Reimburshment Postage Honorarium Library books Science communication through DD Entertainment Advertisement Exps. M/s Cinema Graphers M/s Genesis Media Newspaper & Perodicals Web/Homepage Publication Repair & maintenance VIPNET Newsletter CD on Optics Book Fair IIT,Kanpur Consumable Car hire charges Contingency VP newsletter Traveling expenses LTC IIT, Kanpur C-DAC

Other current Liabilities

4.

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j) k) l) m) n) n) o) p) q) r) s) t) u) v) w) x) y) z) aa) bb) cc) dd)

Acceptances {Security (Distributor/Agent)} Amount payable to customers Statutory Liabilities: a) Others (TDS/Sales Tax) b) Provision (Inter. Division, Science & Society & SERC, DST) c) Leave Salary

CURRENT LIABILITIES

1. 2. 3.

20,240.00 2,283.00 56,519.00 9,656.00 5.00 801.00 26,208.00 4,164.00 78,362.00 2,295.00 3,486.00 1,115.00 2,24,280.00 5,163.00 44,720.00 9,750.00 9,344.00 6,750.00 29,587.00 11,816.00 16,671.00 75,000.00 -

Amount (Rs.)

6,38,215.00 22,97,259.40

2,295.00 1,018.00 1,459.00 16,300.00 8,000.00 44,300.00 2,000.00 4,800.00 16,671.00 665.00 -

34,80,290.90

3,52,816.00

1,32,608.00 56,000.00 -

7,96,358.00 23,705.00

-

67,000.00 28,71,866.90

20,240.00 1,285.00 25,679.00 15,080.00 13,800.00 513.00 16,513.00 14,490.00 5,000.00 8,662.00 1,30,652.00 3,394.00

Previous Year

67,000.00 7,71,981.40

Current Year

VIGYAN PRASAR, A-50, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR-62, NOIDA-201307

CURRENT LIABILITIES AND PROVISIONS

SCHEDULE – 3

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

69

LIBRARY BOOKS

OFFICE BUILDING( Under Construction)

5

6

307,11,012.45 2,55,22,297.45

TOTAL OF CURRENT YEAR

PREVIOUS YEAR

A.

32,80,148.00

34,36,525.00

9,50,000.00

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

1,38,695.00

Nil

19,08,567.00

7,52,210.00

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

83,979,.00

5,53,818.00

Nil

1,14,413.00

OctMarch

During

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

during the year

Deductions

21,45,074.97

17,25,659.75

3,93,491.66

Upto 31.03.2006

3,07,11,012.45

3,48,99,747.45

9,50,000.00

8,22,982.00

4,88,923.00

45,82,479.00

4,33,326.00

8,26,500.00

11 , 7 0 , 2 1 8 . 3 0

Nil Nil

1,20,305.10

5,61,542.03

11 , 5 7 5 . 1 7

year

Dep. for current

22,65,380.00

22,87,201.78

4,05,067.03

the yearend

Total up to

6,81,728.87

5 1 , 11 , 0 8 4 . 8 1

65,592.62

current yearend

As at the

NETBLOCK

36,27,140.60

47,67,306.69

5,70,000.00

97,208.66

57,662.36

5,75,724.61

37,049.40

Nil

79,082.47

2,97,48,950.25

Nil 6,13,639.88 15,125.00 9,129.00 2,34,92,702.37 56,18,354.00

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

1,49,19,043.06

1,43,40,471.37

3,80,00.00

5,50,849.06

3,26,753.34

32,62,439.45

3,33,444.60

8,26,500.00

7,53,731.70

1,90,393.50 55,635.00

133,57,468.66

1,49,19,043.06

Nil

6,48,057.72

3,84,415.70

38,38,164.06

3,70,494.00

8,26,500.00

6,17,140.17

18,83,183.81

8,02,033.97

54,83,385.84

65,667.79

previous yearend

As at the

2,63,72,506.15

2,46,028.50 17,36,383.70 15,125.00 4,906.00 1,92,05,405.95 51,64,657.00

Preivious Year

1,57,91,969.39

2,05,59,576.08

5,70,000.00

2,72,132.94

1,62,169.66

13,20,039.55

99,881.40

Nil

4,16,486.60

N i l 2 6 , 5 7 , 1 5 6 . 8 9 1 2 7 , 6 0 , 9 1 7 . 0 4 20,48,346.92

Nil

Nil

Nil

Dep. Adjusted

Current Year

1,21,64,828.79

1,57,91,969.39

Nil

1,74,924.28

1,04,507.30

7,44,314.94

62,832.00

Nil

3,37,404.13

148,09,263.96 101,03,760.15

29,47,108.97

73,98,286.59

4,70,659.65

during the year

Cost valuation

DEPRECIATION

Amount (Rs.)

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Total (A)

Nil

74,828.00 22,68,502.00

CURRENT ASSETS: 1. Inventories: a) Stores and Spares b) Loose Tools 2. Sundry Debtors 3. Income Tax Deducted at Sources 4. Cash balances in hand 5. Bank Balances: In Savings Accounts 6. Fixed Deposit

CURRENT ASSETS, LOANS, ADVANCES ETC.

SCHEDULE 5

Nil

DIGITAL LIBRARY

11

4,88,923.00 8,22,982.00

HAM EQUIPMENT & ACCESSORIES

TELESCOPE & ACCESSORIES

10

45,82,479.00

4,33,326.00

8,26,500.00

9,54,544.30

1,19,86,943.96

29,47,108.97

72,09,045.59

11 , 5 0 0 . 0 0

AprilSept.

As at beginning of the year 4,59,159.65

Additions During

GROSSBLOCK Cost / valuation

9

AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT

COMPUTER/PERIPHERALS

4

8

OFFICE EQUIPMENT

3.

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION

FURNITURE, FIXTURES

2.

7

PLANT MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

1.

DESCRIPTION

FIXED ASSETS

SCHEDULE 4

VIGYAN PRASAR, A-50, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR-62, NOIDA-201307

70

B.

c)

b)

Pre-Payment Pre-Payment(VP Newsletter) Pre-Payment (PC-e Systems) Others Dev. Of open ended programme Adv. A.V-code Security- DAVP Security- NCSTC Communication Security- Lease premises Employee advance Maintenance of Kiosks Security (Library) Adv.DGS & D Adv.Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad Adv. NAM S&T Adv.Gujrat Council of Science City Adv. HARSAC,Hissar LTC (Advance) Adv-C-DAC Adv.ADM College for Woman,Tamilnadu Adv. Agarkar Research Institute,Pune Adv.M/s Mecon Ltd. Adv.IIT,Kanpur Security: Telephone Adv. A P State Coucil for S&T,Itanagar

LOANS, ADVANCES AND OTHER ASSETS 1. Loans: Staff (HBA) 2. Advances and other amounts recoverable in cash or in kind or for value to be received: a) Advances for Activities Project of IT based S&T Promotion Marathi Vidynan Parishad NEHU, Shillong TV Programme (CEC) Adv. VHAP Adv. Publication Indian Institute of Tamil Studies, T.N. Adv. AIR,Kolkata Tamil Nadu Science & Technology Centre

CURRENT ASSETS, LOANS, ADVANCES ETC.

SCHEDULE 5

1,77,945.00 1,98,200.00 25,000.00 1,400.00 2,64,747.00 8,498.00 57,100.00 500 3,78,789.00 Nil 2,00,000.00 70,375.00 1,20,750.00 11,745.00 Nil 3,250.00 5,56,000.00 15,00,000.00 1,92,795.00 11,000.01 2,900.00

1,50,000.00 1,05,000.00 28,113.00 2,50,000.00 18,525.00 15,500.00 34,269.00 3,93,463.00 3,13,500.00

Current Year

Nil 20,536.00

13,08,370.00

2,12,538.00

Nil Nil 25,000.00 1,400.00 2,52,141.00 41,652.00 57,100.00 500.00 Nil 16,800.00 2,00,000.00 Nil Nil Nil 4,75,000.00 3,250.00 1,00,000.00 15,00,000.00 Nil 11,000.01 7,500.00

1,50,000.00 1,05,000.00 28,113.00 2,50,000.00 18,525.00 15,500.00 34,269.00 Nil 3,13,500.00

54,670.00 Nil

9,14,907.00

2,31,800.00

Schedule 5 continued

Previous Year

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

71

3. 1,91,700.00

4,46,500.00 3,250.00 Nil 7,500.00 Nil 10,750.00 Nil Nil Nil 79,500.00 Nil 1,00,350.00 10,869.00 6,500.00 75,000.00 3,250.00 Nil 3,250.00 Nil Nil 10,750.00 83,317.00 Nil 11,970.00 70,000.00 15,500.00 3,95,507.00 4,13,485.00 4,400.00 30,000.00 46,000.00 6,47,193.00 5,05,620.00 20,000.00

85,11,499.01

1,88,600.00

67,81,455.01

3,82,60,449.26

Current Year 71,500.00 3,250.00 42,240.00 7,500.00 1,00,000.00 10,750.00 45,000.00 9,59,400.00 41,375.00 79,500.00 4,50,000.00 1,00,350.00 l0,869.00 6,500.00 54,900.00 3,250.00 7,500.00 3,250.00 30,400.00 89,611.00 10,750.00 48,620.00 30,000.00 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

62,90,935.01

1,91,700.00

48,97,858.01

3,26,63,441.16

Previous Year

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

TOTAL (A + B)

TOTAL (B)

Income Accrued i) Interest on HBA to staff

Adv.ASTEC,Gwahati Adv. C G Council of S&T, Adv.Chattishgarh Vigyan Manch,Chattishgarh Adv.Council of S&T,UP,Lucknow Adv.Credence Media Solutions Adv.Goa State Council for S&T Adv.IIYD,Orissa Adv.IUAC,Delhi Adv. Jana Vigyan Vedika Adv.MASTEC,Manipur Adv. MEPS,Ahmedabad Adv.Mizoram Council for Science,Technology & Env. Adv. M/s Interlanco Communication,Madrid,LA Adv.M S Swaminathan Research Foundation,Pondicherry Adv.NYASS Trust,Thane,Maharashtra Adv.Office of District Magistrat,Midnapur.West Bengal Adv.Orrisa Remote Sencing and Applicaion Centre Adv.Principal,Sikkim Govt College,Gangtok Adv.Science for Socio Economic Development,Begusarai,Bihar Adv.Seminar/Meeting Adv.State Council for S&T and Environment,Shimla Adv.TA Adv. Tamilnadu Science Forum Adv. Dr.V.B. Kamble Adv. Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies Adv. Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishad, Banglore Adv. M/s Harkara Adv. M/s Orbit Adv. Teri Delhi Adv. Tripura Science Forum, Tripura Adv. AIR, Agartala M/s Grey Films Adv. M/s Istylus, Delhi Security Post Office

CURRENT ASSETS, LOANS, ADVANCES ETC.

Schedule 5 continued

72

7 8 9

Grants

Interest Earned

Other Income

12

Other Administrative Expenses etc

Place: New Delhi

Date : 8/9/2009

Sd/(D D AGRAWAL) Partner

Sd/(M.L. Mudgel) Accounts Officer

Signed as per our report of even date attached For K B L Agrawal & Co. Chartered Accountants

Sd/(V.K. Joshi) Registrar

1,31,84,066.45

1,31,84,066.45

4,91,15,092.85

36,27,140.60

92,59,341.50

73,17,362.00

2,89,11,248.75

6,22,99,159.30

2,87,681.00

10,29,696.00

6,00,00,000.00

9,81,782.30

Previous year

Amount (Rs.)

Sd/(Dr. V.B. Kamble) Director

47,21,920.91

Notes on Accounts & Accounting policies

47,21,920.91

BALANCE BEING CARRIED TO GENERAL RESERVE/CAPITAL FUND

7,86,42,793.59

47,67,306.69

94,81,026.90

85,23,277.00

5,58,71,183.00

8,33,64,714.50

7,10,713.20

16,28,164.00

8,00,00,000.00

10,25,837.30

Current Year

Balance being excess of Income over Expenditure (A-B)

TOTAL (B)

13

11

Establishment Expenses

Depreciation (Net Total at the year-end – corresponding to Schedule 4)

10

Programme/Activity Expenses

EXPENDITURE

TOTAL (A)

6

Schedule

Income from Sales

INCOME

VIGYAN PRASAR, A-50, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR-62, NOIDA-201307 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31/03/2008

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

73

10,25,837.30

TOTAL

8,00,00,000.00 8,00,00,000.00

Central Government TOTAL

Current Year

10,25,837.30

Sales

Income from Sales

Current Year

6,00,00,000.00

6,00,00,000.00

Previous Year

Amount (Rs.)

9,81,782.30

9,81,782.30

Previous Year

Amount (Rs.)

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

1)

GRANTS

SCHEDULE 7

1)

INCOME FROM SALES

SCHEDULE 6

VIGYAN PRASAR, A-50, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR-62,NOIDA-201307 SCHEDULES FORMING PART OF INCOME & EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31/03/2008

74

Current Year 14,819.50 56,000.00 12,912.00 66,794.70 5,60,187.00 7,10,713.20

Miscellaneous Income Project receipt Prior period Income Amount written back Overhead Income TOTAL

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

16,28,164.00

20,838.00

11,53,629.00 4,53,697.00

Current Year

OTHER INCOME

SCHEDULE 9

On Loans: a) Accrued interest on HBA (Staff)

2) TOTAL

On Savings Accounts: a) With Scheduled Banks b) On Fixed Deposit

1)

INTEREST EARNED

SCHEDULE 8

VIGYAN PRASAR, A-50, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR-62, NOIDA-201307

2,87,681.00

16,849.00 1,06,895.00 11,500.00 Nil 1,52,437.00

Previous Year

Amount (Rs.)

10,29,696.00

25,160.00

8,32,400.00 1,72,136.00

Previous Year

Amount (Rs.)

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

75 TOTAL

VIPRIS Clipset Publication Translation Vigyan Prasar newsletter Seminar/meeting WEB/Homepage Book Fair Radio Programme Royalty (Publication) VIPNET Workshop Broadcast fees (WorldSpace Radio) Audio Programme Replication of CD VIPNET Newsletter Workshop /Orientation Programme Programme on Science Communication Visual book Astronomy Kits Open ended experiment in Physics Programme in Physics in School Level Video Films Meeting on Hindi Days CD on optics Physics kit Programme on Planet Earth Quiz Programme Sponsorship/Registration Fees Summer Camp with Rail Museum Training Fees 5,58,71,183.00

99,281.00 8,44,299.00 5,104.00 68,82,438.00 6,31,334.00 3,05,405.00 2,33,893.00 1,80,582.00 99,719.00 2,30,074.00 2,16,49,776.00 14,29,940.00 5,23,148.00 10,47,046.00 13,56,362.00 50,78,770.00 1,000.00 4,46,660.00 18,26,428.00 43,120.00 49,154.00 11,87,280.00 11,36,342.00 1,04,64,313.00 41,874.00 76,141.00 1,700.00

Current Year

2,89,11,248.75

76,709.00 5,36,916.75 92,558.00 62,03,778.00 6,41,381.00 2,70,665.00 1,12,584.00 10,60,862.00 1,92,486.00 25,82,315.00 2,83,626.00 1,78,512.00 10,12,197.00 15,23,135.00 1,19,56,644.00 54,300.00 6,00,000.00 4,48,592.00 10,73,273.00 10,715.00 -

Previous Year

Amount (Rs.)

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24) 25) 26) 27) 28) 29)

PROGRAMMES/ACTIVITIES EXPENSES

SCHEDULE 10

VIGYAN PRASAR, A-50, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR-62,NOIDA-201307

76 Integration Fees

xi) TOTAL

DIsplay Board

ix)

Electricity and power Insurance Repairs & maintenance Rent, rates and taxes Postage, Telephone and Communication Charges Printing and Stationery Traveling and Conveyance Expenses Subscription Expenses Auditors Remuneration i) Audit fee ii) Out of pocket exps. Hospitality Expenses Professional Exps. Irrecoverable Balances Written-off Advertisement and publicity Others i) Contingency ii) Newspaper iii) Bank Charges iv) Consumable v) Prior Period Expenses vi) LTC vii) Medical Reimbursement viii) Cartage & Carriage Inwards Rs. 18,540.00 Rs. 7,500.00

85,23,277.00

TOTAL

94,81,026.90

30,000.00

69,320.00

26,040.00 1,10,438.00 21,366.00 9,87,399.90 4,30,971.00 93,058.00 23,814.00 344.00 7,06,113.00 1,59,822.00 37,651.00 43,969.00 35,272.00

60,986.00 3,334.00 3,09,821.00 14,04,682.00 9,12,141.50 7,37,066.00 32,15,787.00 61,632.00

Current Year

78,75,144.00 29,604.00 5,04,329.00 1,14,200.00

Current Year

Salaries and Wages Bonus29,604.00 Contribution to Provident Fund (CPF contribution & Intt.) Others (Honorarium / Stipend)

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES ETC.

SCHEDULE 12

1) 2) 3) 4)

ESTABLISHMENT EXPENSES

SCHEDULE 11

VIGYAN PRASAR, A-50, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR-62, NOIDA-201307

92,59,341.50

-

-

24,020.00 1,13,079.00 16,500.00 22,86,747.00 82,134.00 22,931.00 1,884.00 9,97,852.00 2,08,207.00 53,070.00 58,489.00 24,559.00

42,225.00 51,739.00 3,13,905.00 13,46,683.00 5,67,190.50 1,73,847.00 28,20,646.00 53,696.00

Previous Year

Amount (Rs.)

73,17,362.00

4,46,068.00 1,65,472.00

66,76,218.00

Previous Year

Amount (Rs.)

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

77 23,35,754.50

Sd/(M.L. Mudgel) Accounts Officer

10,90,52,186.95 10,69,72,859.40

(-)11,83,031.50

9,81,782.30 1,06,895.00 16,849.00 25,160.00 11,500.00 Nil 1,52,437.00 28,66,342.00

8,650.00 Nil 1,20,85,164.00 1,29,936.00 1,28,970.00 1,00,000.00 20,24,966.00 -

5,31,115.00 2,00,000.00 6,10,220.00 1,54,200.00

10,25,837.30 56,000.00 14,819.50 20,838.00 12,912.00 66,794.70 5,60,187.00 10,00,000.00

6,00,000.00

8,00,00,000.00

8,32,400.00 1,72,136.00

2,01,48,762.60 48,44,859.00

1,92,05,405.95 51,64,657.00

11,53,629.00 4,53,697.00

297.00

Previous Year

4,906.00

Current Year

TOTAL

Sd/(V.K. Joshi) Registrar

VI. Closing Balances a) Cash in hand b) Bank Balances i) Savings accounts ii) Fixed Deposit

IV. Payment of Loans & advances a) Increases/Decreases in Current Assets

III. Expenditure on Fixed Assets Purchase of Fixed Assets

I. Expenses a) Programes/Activities exps. (Schedule 10) b) Establishment Expenses (Schedule 11) c) Administrative Expenses (Schedule 12) II. Payments made against funds for various projects i) NCSTC Newsletter ii) NSTMIS iii) SERC iv) Science & Society v) State S&T Project vi) Vigyan Rail vii) GLP Project viii) Science Comm. through Doordarshan ix) IDRC Project ix) STAC Project ix) Women In Science

PAYMENTS

Sd/(Dr. V.B. Kamble) Director

10,69,72,859.40

1,92,05,405.95 51,64,657.00

2,34,92,702.37 56,18,354.00

10,90,52,186.95

4,906.00

27,59,924.20

51,88,715.00

2,15,550.00 1,78,487.00 3,17,745.00 83,364.00 80,875.00 14,160.00 1,34,059.00 2,81,31,339.00 5,720.00 -

2,89,11,248.75 73,17,362.00 92,59,341.50

Previous Year

Amount (Rs.)

9,129.00

8,51,791.68

41,88,735.00

1,91,497.00 2,93,420.00 44,000.00 1,70,455.00 39,682.00 2,76,934.00

5,58,71,183.00 85,23,277.00 94,81,026.90

Current Year

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

Date : 8/9/2009 Place: New Delhi

Sd/(D D AGRAWAL) Partner

Signed as per our report of even date attached For K B L Agrawal & Co. Chartered Accountants

TOTAL

V. Amount Payable Increases/ Decreases in Current Liabilities

III. Interest Received On Saving Account On Fixed Deposit IV. Other Income (Specify) a) Receipt against Sales b) Receipt from Projects c) Misc. Receipt d) Interest on HBA e) Royalty received f) Amount Written Back g) Overhead Income h) FCT Sales

Opening Balances a) Cash in hand b) Bank Balances i) Savings accounts ii) Fixed Deposit II. Grants Received a) From Government of India b) From other sources (details) i) NSTMIS ii) SERC iii) Science Comm. through doordarshan iv) GLP Project v) IDRC Project vi) Science & Society vii) NCSTC Newsletter viii) Women in Science vii) International Division

I.

RECEIPTS

VIGYAN PRASAR, A-50, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR-62, NOIDA-201307 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31/03/2008

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

ANNEXURE III Compliance Report on the notes of Account and Accounting Policies made by the Auditors in the Audit of the Accounts of Vigyan Prasar for the Financial year 2007 - 2008

SCHEDULE : 13 Note on Accounts and Accounting Policies: 2007-2008 (1)

The Society has maintained book of accounts on accrual basis. However the Society has adopted cash basis system in following cases.

Reply

Statement of facts: No remarks

(i) Payment to employees for salary, leave encashment, Gratuity etc. and Payment to auditors. (ii) Closing stock of books, CDs etc. have not been taken into account, the sales of above items accounted for on cash basis. (2)

Valuation of Inventory of books, slides and CD etc. as at 31.03.2008 have been valued at Rs. 42,51,769/- at a cost price of the products. However this stock has not been taken into books of accounts and therefore not followed the accrual system of accounting for the same.

Valuation of books is being routinely accounted on cash basis on realization. However, the stock will be taken on accrual basis in current financial year.

(3)

Stock Register has not produced for our verification. However a summary of Physical verification as on 31.03.2008 has been provided which is certified by the Management.

Computerized books of stocks have been maintained and physical rectification done every year.

(4)

Fixed assets register has not been produced for our verification. In the books of accounts Fixed Assets has been taken on cost less depreciation basis. Depreciation on fixed assets have been provided on written down value method as per rates provided in the provision of Income Tax Act 1961, except in the case of library books rate of depreciation taken as

Fixed assets register is currently being maintained on Database on regular basis, however, manual register will be maintained in current year as demanded by audit.

10% on written down value basis.

78

Advances of Rs. 85,11,499.01/- (Previous Year Rs.

bills / copy of accounts.

Advance given to the institution / organization for various programmes/ activities to be undertaken by them on behalf of Vigyan Prasar will be adjusted on receipt of adjustment of accounts. Action has been initiated in this regard.

(6)

Balances of parties are subject to confirmation.

No such practice is in vogue.

(7)

FCT earn and realised Free commercial time (FCT) The amount received towards FCT contract have been awarded to Nimbus has been kept in VP’s corpus fund Communication Ltd. and in turn release the payment as per VP’s accounting policy.

9,14,907/-) out of which entries comprising to Rs. 5,79,907/- are outstanding for more than 3 years, given for various programmes / activities have not been recovered/ square up due to non-receipt of

to Vigyan Prasar During the year for Rs. 10,00,000/-

Payment received and directly credited to Reserve and Surplus and not Reflected in the

The procedure followed was in accordance with the agreement

Income & Expenditure Account. -

M/s Nimbus Communication Ltd. has charged commission @ 15% on FCT booking and remit the amount after deducting commission and other charges. Society has booked FCT on net amount realized and could not deduct TDS on commission.

(8)

FCT have been accounted for on cash basis.

Bearer cheques to various employees have been issued for advances against Seminar / workshop /

This practice has already been stopped.

expenses and book for expenses / advances in bank book. There are numbers of entries in Bank Statement, which shows cash withdrawal and cash deposit which are not reflected in cash book. We recommended to Strengthen the internal control over cash and bank and maintenance of Primary books properly. (9)

Sales of Books, CD’s etc have been made in Vigyan Prasar and entered in the sales book. During that year we observed that some parties have shown old balances, issued fresh bill and received fresh payments only.

79

This is being streamlined.

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

(5)

VIGYAN PRASAR ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008

(10) During our audit we have observed that some old balances has been written off to the tune of Rs. 9,87,399.90/-, whereas the Governing body has permitted Rs.11,83,659.58/- for the same.

(11) Debtors as at 31.03.2008 Rs 6,13,639.88/- (Previous year Rs. 17,36,383.70 ) Out of which Rs. 94,363/-

Governing body permitted to write off old balances of Rs.11,83,659.58. However, during the year under audit, payments from old debtors were received in full & part payment in some cases. The amount written off was therefore correspondingly less.

Efforts will be made to recover this amount.

are outstanding for more than 3 Years. Balances of parties are subject to confirmation. (12) During the course of our audit we have observed that tender of Quiz Programmes (JIGYASA) has been given to M/s Derek O’ Brien & Associated, Kolkata Rs. 3,98,000/- Per Episode for 26 Episodes without taken any comparatives Figures from other parties for the above said programme and no advertisement for the proposal of tender has been given.

(13) Figures for previous year have been re-grouped/

This project was undertaken by DECU/ISRO and necessary formalities like calling of tenders etc. were already completed by them. Due approval from Chairman, Governing Body, VP was taken for execution of this project by VP based on the formalities completed by DECU/ ISRO.

No remarks

re-arranged or corrected wherever it was found necessary.

For KBL AGRAWAL & CO. Chartered accountants

Sd/D. D. AGRAWAL ( partner)

Sd/(M L Mudgel) Accounts Officer

Sd/(V.K. Joshi) Registrar

Place : New Delhi Dated : 8/9/2009

80

Sd/(Dr. V.B. Kamble) Acting Director