Popularising chemistry

Subodh Mahanti, Division Head, Publications:

VIGYAN PRASAR has developed a number of activities for different sections of society on the occasion of the International Year of Chemistry. They will be helpful in popularising chemistry in remote and underdeveloped regions. We have produced a series of radio programmes for telecast in all major Indian languages from all kendras of All India Radio. We are also producing a television serial. These will help people appreciate the importance of chemistry in their daily life.

Vigyan Prasar has developed many low-cost teaching aids in chemistry, and workshops are being held in different parts of the country to train teachers on how to use them in classrooms. These aids will be helpful in improving the teaching of chemistry in schools, particularly in rural areas where there is a lack of resources. Vigyan Prasar has developed a series of experiments to demonstrate the chemistry behind many so-called miracles. It has planned also to develop a countrywide programme to demonstrate how chemistry helps in the purification of water. This programme will also help students undertake experimental work on their own. Students from rural areas will particularly benefit.