Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers of India: R.N. 70269/98
December 2006
Vol. 9
ISSN : 0972-169X Postal Registration No. : DL-SW-1/4082/2006
No. 3
VP News National Conference on ‘Vision 2026 – Challenges in Science Communication’
A
three-day national conference on ‘Vision 2026 – Challenges in Science Communication’ was held at the Indian National Science Academy Auditorium in New Delhi on 26-28 November 2006 to commemorate the 80th birth anniversary of the eminent scientist, educationist, and science communicator Prof. Yash Pal and felicitate him. Over 200 delegates from across the country and abroad attended the conference. The President of India, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam inaugurated the conference on 26 November. In his inaugural address he recalled the H.E. President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam releasing the book services of Prof Yash Pal as Director "Yash Pal: A Life in Science", published by Vigyan Prasar of Space Applications Centre of ISRO, on the occasion of Prof.Yash Pal’s 80th birthday Contd. on page 26
Price: Rs. 5.00
Inside EDITORIAL
p.43
William Rowan Hamilton
p.42
The Role of Science p.39 Fiction in the Present Age of Science Claude Shannon
p.36
Life after a heart attack
p.32
Recent Developments p.30 in S & T Earthquake Tips-7 p.29 Sky Map for January 2007 p.27
National Conference for Science Fiction Writers
T
he 8th National Conference for Science Fiction Writers was jointly organised by Vigyan Prasar, Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies (IASFS), Vellore; and Marathi Vidyan Parishad-Aurangabad Vibhag (MVPAV) at Aurangabad during 11-12 November 2006. The venue of the Conference was Maharashtra Mahasool Prashikshan Prabodhini. The Conference was inaugurated by Dr. Nagnath Kottapalle, Vice Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedekar Marathawada University, Aurangabad. The inaugural session was chaired by Prof. Purushotthaman, President IASFS. Prof. Jayant Narlikar delivered the keynote address (published in this issue). Dr. Subodh Mahanti, Scientist ‘F’, VP, Dr. M. H. Srinarahai, Secre- (From Left) Dr. Nagnath Kottapalle, Prof. Jayant V. tary, IASFS, and Dr. Ranjan Garge, President, MVPAV briefly described the ac- Narlikar, Dr. Subodh Mahanti, Dr. Ranjan Garge and Shri A.P. Deshpande tivities of VP, IASFS, and MVP respectively. Dr. Y. H. Despande and Shri A. P. Deshpande also addressed the inaugural session. The first session of the conference on ‘Science Fiction Writing in Indian Languages: Past, Present and Future’ was divided into two parts. The first part of the session was chaired by Shri Subodh Jawadekar and the second part by Dr. Subodh Contd. on page 26
... think scientifically, act scientifically... think scientifically, act scientifically... think scientifically, act... Published and Printed by Dr. Subodh Mahanti on behalf of Vigyan Prasar, C-24, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110 016 & Printed at S. Narayan & Sons, B-88, Okhla Indl. Area, Phase - II, New Delhi - 110 020 Editor : Dr. V.B. Kamble
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VP Software
al: A Lif e in Science Pal: Life w e Yash P e N as Author: Biman Basu le ISBN No.: 81-7480-128-6 HB; 81-7480-129-4 PB (English) 81-7480-130-8 HB (Hindi) Re Price: • Rs. 225 HB • Rs. 150 PB (English) • Rs. 225 HB (Hindi)
Prof. Yash Pal embodies several personalities – scientist, science manager, educator, and communicator – all rolled into one.There are few Indian scientists who have done so much in so many different fields, and have done it with such fervour. He built up the Space Applications Centre at Ahmedabad and was the key person to plan and execute the yearlong Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) during 1975-76, which brought in a new dimension in educational communication in India. Later, he became popular as one who could explain science in layman’s language. His regular appearance in the TV science programme ‘Turning Point’ to answer questions sent by viewers made him almost a public icon. He developed his own unique style of explaining science – not giving direct answers but making the viewers think and understand to get to the answers. This brief biography, profusely illustrated with rare photographs, is an attempt to bring out the multifaceted personality of Prof. Yash Pal, his emphasis on independent thought, and his innovative ways of problem solving.
Other Recent Publications The Quest for New Materials Author: S.T. Lakshmikumar ISBN: 81-7480-121-9 PB • Price : Rs. 120 In the course of human history, man has continuously developed newer materials primarily to improve his tools. Man currently has the ability to manufacture millions of electronic devices on a small chip of silicon, each of the transistor being as small as a few nanometers. The book provides a bird’s eye view of the saga of human materials development from the stone age to nanomaterials and genetic engineering and a coherent brief description of the science which underpins this development.
The Unknown Einstein Author: Bal Phondke
which is associated with a rather baffling corrosion resistence property. The book also traces the unique metallurgical knowledge of those times. Also translated in Hindi and Tamil.
Music of Life Development of Molecular Biology: A Personal Account Author: D.P. Burma ISBN: 81-7480-080-8 HB • Price : Rs. 150 An outcome of 50 years of teaching and research experience of the author in the field of Molecular Biology. It depicts, in an interesting manner, the history of molecular biology as it developed following the discovery of the structure of DNA.
Hands On
ISBN: 81-7480-120-0 PB • Price : Rs. 75 Most famously known for his theory of relativity and the path-breaking equation E=mc2, Albert Einstein remained an enigma during his lifetime. What was this man like in his real life? Chosen as the Man of the 20th Century by Time Magazine, Einstein was a genius, but he had his eccentricities too. He was also a statesman and even held a patent for his invention. Replete with anecdotes, this book is an attempt to bring out these and many other little-known facets of Einstein’s personality.
The Rustless Wonder A Study of the Iron Pillar at Delhi Author: T.R. Anantharaman ISBN: 81-7480-015-8 HB (English) • ISBN: 81-7480-044-1 HB (Hindi) Price: Rs. 350 (Eng.) Rs. 150 (Hindi)
Author: Arvind Gupta ISBN: 81-7480-118-9 PB • Price : Rs. 55 It is a collation of some interesting activities— geometry by paper folding, toys, tangrams, pumps, experiments and simple science models. It shows possibilities of doing science with simple things and practically with zero cost.
The Story of Physics Author: T. Padmanabhan ISBN: 81-7480-080-8 PB • Price : Rs. 85 A rare combination of science and entertainment. In a very simple and entertaining comic strip manner it describes the important events and milestones in the history of physics beginning with Archimedes and Pythagoras till date.
A historical and archaeological account of the famed Iron Pillar in the vicinity of Qutab Minar at Delhi,
VIGYAN PRASAR
out e ab on to r o m g n lo now v.in To k licatio sar.go b a pr pu our .vigyan w ww
A-50, Institutional Area, Sector-62, NOIDA - 201 307 (U.P.) Tel. # 91-120-2404430, 35, 36 Fax # 91-120-2404437 Email:
[email protected] Website: www.vigyanprasar.gov.in
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VP Software
Digital Library Most of the publications of Vigyan Prasar are now available on-line in its Digital Library. Readers can register, download and print them free of cost by logging in to http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in and clicking on “Digital Library”. Apart from books, all audio, video and interactive CDs produced by Vigyan Prasar are also listed in the site.
Discussion Forum The Vigyan Prasar website has a Discussion Forum for answering questions and exchanging comments on various issues related to science and technology. Anyone can ask questions or put in their comments at the site by logging in to http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in and clicking on “Discussion Forum”. Your comments are valuable to Vigyan Prasar.
Understanding Earthquakes- An Activity Kit
Scie Price: Rs 70 + Rs 20 postal charge
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