An International Meet

its really a nice review, i also want to read SF novel, hope i will get a copy.

swati

#1171

From: "Arvind Mishra" <dr_arvind3@...>
Date:: Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:45 am
Subject:: Re: Re: River of Gods !

arvind_drmishra

Offline

Thanks a lot Dr.CMN and Gauhar for your comments on the review.
Arrr.,Yes a mistake has really inadvertently crept in i.e use of word 'Abhor'as an adjetive for Lord Shiva,it should have been awe-inspiring or something similar.Its really regretted.
Thanks for pointing out the mistake Dr.CMN.

On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL wrote :
>Reviewing the review also requires having read the book to be fair. But nevertheless, I am commenting.
>
> The review is fairly comprehensive though I would have liked to see a little bit of the storyline, without letting out out the climax of course.
>
> Going to the extent of including expletives in plenty in the book, as learnt from the review, must have meant good amount of efforts on the part of the author. I hope it's not over done but then that helps create the atmosphere and is also a matter of prsonal taste. However, the ICC may benefit from the glossary in future enquiries against Indian players!
>
> A few avoidable typing errors (e.g. fu for few) would have been better if this is how it was printed. There is one adjective for Shiva/ Parvati which the author may not have meant.
>
> But over all, I appreciate the spirit shown by Dr. Arvind Mishra and hope that his and other Indian authors' books will also be reviewd in the western press in coming days.
>
> Great job, Arvind jee!
>
> CMN
>
>
>
>arvind mishra <arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:
> Friends,
>Recently I reviewed this sf novel i.e.'River of gods'by Ian Macdonald for TOI ,VARANASI EDITION ,please read the same and comment.
>River of Gods – A Contemporary World View on Ganga and Benaras !
>
>`River of Gods' is a recent and much talked about science fiction novel by Ian McDonald which envisions India of 2047 –India in its centenary year of independence with a main focus on holy and profane city of Varanasi. `River of Gods`s is set in 2047 i.e. not in a far distant future so that the reader can easily perceive some extremely possible developments of today's Indian society not just in technology but in politics, social structure and sexual relations as well.
>
> McDonald's skill is evident in the manner he describes the old Benarasi culture and the predicted one of the novel set in future in 2047. There is every thing identifiable with science fiction novels-wonderment, strange gadgetry, intelligent machines, computer hacking and the cumulative effects of technological and environmental changes within a society.
>The city of our pride i.e. Varanasi-2047 in the novel is described in very amazing, intricate and unbelievable details - a novelist's vision of Varanasi after 100 years of independence. It gives lucid details the way technology progresses, the way people adapt to an entirely new way of living in spite of some of their certain old habits and mind set of a typical Benarasi of yore.
>The characters in the novel span all levels of society, most of them being fresh and original. Like a character Nandha who is a glorified Hindu policeman of projected 2047 and is depicted always so much engrossed in doing his job that he does away with his conscience of even as basic thing as what is right and what is wrong. This Hindu policeman's job is to track down possibly self-aware `aeis' [artificial intelligent software devices] and for this he uses a counter strategy carrying the name of a Hindu god. Najia is another character -a reporter who suddenly discovers her suppressed conscience and her humanity, or a Khan, a politician who is always eager to do the right things but finds himself unable owing to social constraints. Some other characters are less involving - Nandha's wife Parvati is an under-appreciated, bored housewife entangled in a love triangle in between her husband and the gardener while American scientist Lisa Durnau has nothing more to do in
> the novel than looking constantly amazed. India is shown no longer a single nation but has been divided into smaller states similar to those that existed before the independence. Some humans have learned techniques to change themselves biologically in order to avoid the problems of being either male or female. However many elements of this society remains recognizable and unchanged like the undercurrent of hatred between Hindus and Muslims on the subcontinent.
> Now some of the darker sides of the novel. It is horribly a slow start and full of Hindi words including many Benarasi slangs and expletives though a glossary of Hindi word is appended but is incomplete. . I wonder how an audience other than those familiar with today's Varanasi could enjoy the content of the novel. Nevertheless I must appreciate the effort and dedication through which the author has reached a level of commendable understanding of the pathos and culture of a foreign place. Author understands of Indian philosophy and Hindu gods is also amazing. Varanasi of 2047 still retains some of its classical aroma in the novel. But assigning unnecessarily certain characters the names of Hindu Gods like Parvati, and Shiva and depicting the latter in a criminal role may genuinely hurt feelings of many. This appears to be a mischievous act of the author who thoughtlessly ridicules the most abhorred and worshipped Gods in Varanasi- Shiva and Parvati. This should have
> been avoided without altering the tone of this masterpiece and world acclaimed novel.
>Being a Benarasi I could not resist my temptation to order a copy of the book directly from the USA and see myself what a contemporary science fictional world view has in its store about an ancient but lively city of India that is our beloved Varanasi.
>Dr.Arvind Mishra
>
>
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
> Why delete messages? Unlimited storage is just a click away.

#1170

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...>
Date:: Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:52 am
Subject:: Re: River of Gods !

cmnautiyal

Offline

Reviewing the review also requires having read the book to be fair. But nevertheless, I am commenting.

The review is fairly comprehensive though I would have liked to see a little bit of the storyline, without letting out out the climax of course.

Going to the extent of including expletives in plenty in the book, as learnt from the review, must have meant good amount of efforts on the part of the author. I hope it's not over done but then that helps create the atmosphere and is also a matter of prsonal taste. However, the ICC may benefit from the glossary in future enquiries against Indian players!

A few avoidable typing errors (e.g. fu for few) would have been better if this is how it was printed. There is one adjective for Shiva/ Parvati which the author may not have meant.

But over all, I appreciate the spirit shown by Dr. Arvind Mishra and hope that his and other Indian authors' books will also be reviewd in the western press in coming days.

Great job, Arvind jee!

CMN

arvind mishra <arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:

Friends,
Recently I reviewed this sf novel i.e.'River of gods'by Ian Macdonald for TOI ,VARANASI EDITION ,please read the same and comment.
River of Gods – A Contemporary World View on Ganga and Benaras !

`River of Gods' is a recent and much talked about science fiction novel by Ian McDonald which envisions India of 2047 –India in its centenary year of independence with a main focus on holy and profane city of Varanasi. `River of Gods`s is set in 2047 i.e. not in a far distant future so that the reader can easily perceive some extremely possible developments of today's Indian society not just in technology but in politics, social structure and sexual relations as well.

McDonald's skill is evident in the manner he describes the old Benarasi culture and the predicted one of the novel set in future in 2047. There is every thing identifiable with science fiction novels-wonderment, strange gadgetry, intelligent machines, computer hacking and the cumulative effects of technological and environmental changes within a society.
The city of our pride i.e. Varanasi-2047 in the novel is described in very amazing, intricate and unbelievable details - a novelist's vision of Varanasi after 100 years of independence. It gives lucid details the way technology progresses, the way people adapt to an entirely new way of living in spite of some of their certain old habits and mind set of a typical Benarasi of yore.
The characters in the novel span all levels of society, most of them being fresh and original. Like a character Nandha who is a glorified Hindu policeman of projected 2047 and is depicted always so much engrossed in doing his job that he does away with his conscience of even as basic thing as what is right and what is wrong. This Hindu policeman's job is to track down possibly self-aware `aeis' [artificial intelligent software devices] and for this he uses a counter strategy carrying the name of a Hindu god. Najia is another character -a reporter who suddenly discovers her suppressed conscience and her humanity, or a Khan, a politician who is always eager to do the right things but finds himself unable owing to social constraints. Some other characters are less involving - Nandha's wife Parvati is an under-appreciated, bored housewife entangled in a love triangle in between her husband and the gardener while American scientist Lisa Durnau has nothing more to do in the novel than looking constantly amazed. India is shown no longer a single nation but has been divided into smaller states similar to those that existed before the independence. Some humans have learned techniques to change themselves biologically in order to avoid the problems of being either male or female. However many elements of this society remains recognizable and unchanged like the undercurrent of hatred between Hindus and Muslims on the subcontinent.
Now some of the darker sides of the novel. It is horribly a slow start and full of Hindi words including many Benarasi slangs and expletives though a glossary of Hindi word is appended but is incomplete. . I wonder how an audience other than those familiar with today's Varanasi could enjoy the content of the novel. Nevertheless I must appreciate the effort and dedication through which the author has reached a level of commendable understanding of the pathos and culture of a foreign place. Author understands of Indian philosophy and Hindu gods is also amazing. Varanasi of 2047 still retains some of its classical aroma in the novel. But assigning unnecessarily certain characters the names of Hindu Gods like Parvati, and Shiva and depicting the latter in a criminal role may genuinely hurt feelings of many. This appears to be a mischievous act of the author who thoughtlessly ridicules the most abhorred and worshipped Gods in Varanasi- Shiva and Parvati. This should have been avoided without altering the tone of this masterpiece and world acclaimed novel.
Being a Benarasi I could not resist my temptation to order a copy of the book directly from the USA and see myself what a contemporary science fictional world view has in its store about an ancient but lively city of India that is our beloved Varanasi.
Dr.Arvind Mishra

Why delete messages? Unlimited storage is just a click away.

#1169

From: gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@...>
Date:: Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:09 am
Subject:: Re: River of Gods !

gauhar_raza@...

thanks for the wondeful review of the book.

gauhar

----- Original Message ----
From: arvind mishra <arvind_drmishra@...>
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:40:12 PM
Subject: [indiansciencefiction] River of Gods !

Friends,
Recently I reviewed this sf novel i.e.'River of gods'by Ian Macdonald for TOI ,VARANASI EDITION ,please read the same and comment.
River of Gods – A Contemporary World View on Ganga and Benaras !

`River of Gods' is a recent and much talked about science fiction novel by Ian McDonald which envisions India of 2047 –India in its centenary year of independence with a main focus on holy and profane city of Varanasi. `River of Gods`s is set in 2047 i.e. not in a far distant future so that the reader can easily perceive some extremely possible developments of today's Indian society not just in technology but in politics, social structure and sexual relations as well.

McDonald's skill is evident in the manner he describes the old Benarasi culture and the predicted one of the novel set in future in 2047. There is every thing identifiable with science fiction novels-wonderment, strange gadgetry, intelligent machines, computer hacking and the cumulative effects of technological and environmental changes within a society.
The city of our pride i.e. Varanasi-2047 in the novel is described in very amazing, intricate and unbelievable details - a novelist's vision of Varanasi after 100 years of independence. It gives lucid details the way technology progresses, the way people adapt to an entirely new way of living in spite of some of their certain old habits and mind set of a typical Benarasi of yore.
The characters in the novel span all levels of society, most of them being fresh and original. Like a character Nandha who is a glorified Hindu policeman of projected 2047 and is depicted always so much engrossed in doing his job that he does away with his conscience of even as basic thing as what is right and what is wrong. This Hindu policeman's job is to track down possibly self-aware `aeis' [artificial intelligent software devices] and for this he uses a counter strategy carrying the name of a Hindu god. Najia is another character -a reporter who suddenly discovers her suppressed conscience and her humanity, or a Khan, a politician who is always eager to do the right things but finds himself unable owing to social constraints. Some other characters are less involving - Nandha's wife Parvati is an under-appreciated, bored housewife entangled in a love triangle in between her husband and the gardener while American scientist Lisa Durnau has nothing more to do in the novel than looking constantly amazed. India is shown no longer a single nation but has been divided into smaller states similar to those that existed before the independence. Some humans have learned techniques to change themselves biologically in order to avoid the problems of being either male or female. However many elements of this society remains recognizable and unchanged like the undercurrent of hatred between Hindus and Muslims on the subcontinent.
Now some of the darker sides of the novel. It is horribly a slow start and full of Hindi words including many Benarasi slangs and expletives though a glossary of Hindi word is appended but is incomplete. . I wonder how an audience other than those familiar with today's Varanasi could enjoy the content of the novel. Nevertheless I must appreciate the effort and dedication through which the author has reached a level of commendable understanding of the pathos and culture of a foreign place. Author understands of Indian philosophy and Hindu gods is also amazing. Varanasi of 2047 still retains some of its classical aroma in the novel. But assigning unnecessarily certain characters the names of Hindu Gods like Parvati, and Shiva and depicting the latter in a criminal role may genuinely hurt feelings of many. This appears to be a mischievous act of the author who thoughtlessly ridicules the most abhorred and worshipped Gods in Varanasi- Shiva and Parvati. This should have been avoided without altering the tone of this masterpiece and world acclaimed novel.
Being a Benarasi I could not resist my temptation to order a copy of the book directly from the USA and see myself what a contemporary science fictional world view has in its store about an ancient but lively city of India that is our beloved Varanasi.
Dr.Arvind Mishra

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

#1168

From: "arvind mishra" <arvind_drmishra@...>
Date:: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:10 pm
Subject:: River of Gods !

arvind_drmishra

Offline

Friends,
Recently I reviewed this sf novel i.e.'River of gods'by Ian Macdonald for TOI ,VARANASI EDITION ,please read the same and comment.
River of Gods – A Contemporary World View on Ganga and Benaras !

`River of Gods' is a recent and much talked about science fiction novel by Ian McDonald which envisions India of 2047 –India in its centenary year of independence with a main focus on holy and profane city of Varanasi. `River of Gods`s is set in 2047 i.e. not in a far distant future so that the reader can easily perceive some extremely possible developments of today's Indian society not just in technology but in politics, social structure and sexual relations as well.

McDonald's skill is evident in the manner he describes the old Benarasi culture and the predicted one of the novel set in future in 2047. There is every thing identifiable with science fiction novels-wonderment, strange gadgetry, intelligent machines, computer hacking and the cumulative effects of technological and environmental changes within a society.
The city of our pride i.e. Varanasi-2047 in the novel is described in very amazing, intricate and unbelievable details - a novelist's vision of Varanasi after 100 years of independence. It gives lucid details the way technology progresses, the way people adapt to an entirely new way of living in spite of some of their certain old habits and mind set of a typical Benarasi of yore.
The characters in the novel span all levels of society, most of them being fresh and original. Like a character Nandha who is a glorified Hindu policeman of projected 2047 and is depicted always so much engrossed in doing his job that he does away with his conscience of even as basic thing as what is right and what is wrong. This Hindu policeman's job is to track down possibly self-aware `aeis' [artificial intelligent software devices] and for this he uses a counter strategy carrying the name of a Hindu god. Najia is another character -a reporter who suddenly discovers her suppressed conscience and her humanity, or a Khan, a politician who is always eager to do the right things but finds himself unable owing to social constraints. Some other characters are less involving - Nandha's wife Parvati is an under-appreciated, bored housewife entangled in a love triangle in between her husband and the gardener while American scientist Lisa Durnau has nothing more to do in the novel than looking constantly amazed. India is shown no longer a single nation but has been divided into smaller states similar to those that existed before the independence. Some humans have learned techniques to change themselves biologically in order to avoid the problems of being either male or female. However many elements of this society remains recognizable and unchanged like the undercurrent of hatred between Hindus and Muslims on the subcontinent.
Now some of the darker sides of the novel. It is horribly a slow start and full of Hindi words including many Benarasi slangs and expletives though a glossary of Hindi word is appended but is incomplete. . I wonder how an audience other than those familiar with today's Varanasi could enjoy the content of the novel. Nevertheless I must appreciate the effort and dedication through which the author has reached a level of commendable understanding of the pathos and culture of a foreign place. Author understands of Indian philosophy and Hindu gods is also amazing. Varanasi of 2047 still retains some of its classical aroma in the novel. But assigning unnecessarily certain characters the names of Hindu Gods like Parvati, and Shiva and depicting the latter in a criminal role may genuinely hurt feelings of many. This appears to be a mischievous act of the author who thoughtlessly ridicules the most abhorred and worshipped Gods in Varanasi- Shiva and Parvati. This should have been avoided without altering the tone of this masterpiece and world acclaimed novel.
Being a Benarasi I could not resist my temptation to order a copy of the book directly from the USA and see myself what a contemporary science fictional world view has in its store about an ancient but lively city of India that is our beloved Varanasi.
Dr.Arvind Mishra

#1167

From: anant deshpande <apd1942@...>
Date:: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:07 am
Subject:: RE: arvind mishra has sent you an e-card!

apd1942@...

Arvind ji,

Thanks.

Anant

To: indiansciencefiction@...
From: arvind_drmishra@...
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:39:42 -0700
Subject: [indiansciencefiction] arvind mishra has sent you an e-card!

arvind mishra (arvind_drmishra@yahoo.co.in) has sent you an e-card for Quantico by Greg Bear.

Click on the link below to view:
http://www.perseuspromos.com/quantico/

Pass along to your friends, family, and co-workers!

************************************************
Quantico
by Greg Bear
$24.95 Hardcover, ISBN 9781593154455
Published by Vanguard Press
A Member of the Perseus Books Group
www.vanguardpressbooks.com
************************************************

Sign up for the Perseus Books Group Newsletter:
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Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (2)

#1166

From: arvind_drmishra@...
Date:: Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:39 pm
Subject:: arvind mishra has sent you an e-card!

arvind_drmishra

Offline

arvind mishra  (arvind_drmishra@...) has sent you an e-card for Quantico
by Greg Bear.

Click on the link below to view:
http://www.perseuspromos.com/quantico/

Pass along to your friends, family, and co-workers!

************************************************
Quantico
by Greg Bear
$24.95 Hardcover, ISBN 9781593154455
Published by Vanguard Press
A Member of the Perseus Books Group
www.vanguardpressbooks.com
************************************************


Sign up for the Perseus Books Group Newsletter:
http://www.perseusbookspromos.com/newsletters/subscribe.php

************************************************

Please Note: You have not been added to any email lists. If you no longer wish
to receive these messages, please contact arvind_drmishra@....

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (2)

#1165

From: Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@...>
Date:: Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:12 am
Subject:: Re: Seminar on Science Communication through Creative Genres, Dehradun, India, February 20-23, 2008

arvind_drmishra

Offline

sorry,missed to attach the proforma,attached herewith now.

arvind mishra

--- On Fri, 25/1/08, arvind mishra <drarvind3@...> wrote:

From: arvind mishra <drarvind3@...>
Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Seminar on Science Communication through Creative Genres, Dehradun, India, February 20-23, 2008
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Date: Friday, 25 January, 2008, 3:35 PM

Friends,
If you have finally made up your mind to participate in Dehardun seminar here is the prescribed proforma to submit your details.
This will help organizers to make the arrangements accordingly and call you back.
So please fill it up with required details and mail it asap to destinations as mentioned in earlier communications under this caption .
best,
arvind

On 08/01/2008, arvind mishra <drarvind3@gmail. com> wrote:
Yes Manish I quite agree with you and trust we all take this opportunity/ challenge in an unanimous way and to something really concrete for the betterment of the genre.
thanks n best,
arvind

On 08/01/2008, Manish Mohan Gore <gore_rm@yahoo. co.in> wrote:

Dear friend ,

This is a great opprtunity for us to repreent ourselves in NCSTC & STAD joint initiative at Dehradun in 20-23 Feb 2008. I mean to say The efforts we are making in SF through individual level or through this SF yahoo assembly, we may projct emphatically in this programme because there is a seprate & special section for SF as well. We must avail this opprtunity. I hope the yahoo SF members will convince to my stands raised here.

I hope a reply/suggestions/ views from the forum members.
Your sincerely,

MANISH MOHAN GORE

--- On Mon, 7/1/08, zeashan zaidi <zeashanzaidi@ yahoo.com> wrote:

From: zeashan zaidi <zeashanzaidi@ yahoo.com >
Subject: Re: [indianscienceficti on] Seminar on Science Communication through Creative Genres, Dehradun, India, February 20-23, 2008
To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in
Date: Monday, 7 January, 2008, 10:12 PM

Once again NCST is taking a good initiative to promote Science Fiction in India for extending science literacy among common Indian People. Indeed fiction is the best method for promoting science. This fact had already realized in developed countries and is now coming under consideration in our country. For this, the good efforts of some of our well known scientists canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t be neglected. Especially we must be thankful to Dr. Manoj Patairiya, Mr. Ramesh Panwar and all the team of NCST for arranging such valuable seminar.

regards

Zeashan Zaidi

Manoj Patairiya <manojpatairiya@ yahoo.com> wrote:

National Council for Science and Technology
Communication (NCSTC/DST)
Science Technology and Development Initiative (STAD)
Announce
National Seminar on Science Communication through
Creative Genres
Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun ? 248001
(Uttarakhand) ; February 20-23, 2008

Generally, science is considered to be dry, boring,
hard, and difficult to understand for a common man and
if science is to be communicated universally down to
masses, we need to present science in an interesting,
simple, lucid, and in a form comprehensible to the
common man. This also means that while doing so, we
need to defy existing tenets of medium, language,
presentation, literacy, understanding and so on; and
there we may need to come to the fold of creative
genres. By and large we have been writing only dry
articles and essays, delivering jargonized talks and
presenting text bookish contents in mass media in the
name of science communication and popularization. It
is not entirely above that is the motivation to go for
a science communication with creative writing, but
more importantly, creating creative pieces of science
writing or in general, creating something through
creative genres is entirely a soul searching
experience for the creator and enjoyable learning for
the target population. But, the issues are above the
delight of creation and the pleasure of appreciating
and comprehending it. Experts emphasise time and again
that creative genres have a great role in speedy
spread of scientific and technological awareness in
the society. Much needs to be done in order to find
confluence of creative genres with communication of
science and technology. We all know the tremendous
popularity of one of the creative genres ?science
fiction? has achieved and also about the remarkable
impact through it in popularising science. Similarly,
?science poems? related to weather and agricultural
practices in our folk literature remained an authentic
source of knowledge based on observational processes.
This fact points towards the sheer encouragement one
can draw from exploring the role creative genres have
in the subject under discussion and emphasising upon
the need to probe deeper as to promote the movement of
endorsing creative genres for science communication
the modern world. This seminar provides ambience and
liberty to deliberate everything connected with the
subject. In order to seek greater involvement of our
science communicators in these genres, there is need
to identify the indicators for adjudging the
effectiveness of creative genres while dealing with an
issue pertaining to science and technology. It has
also been thought necessary at the seminar that
various sub genres under the creative forms be
discussed threadbare vis-Ã ÂÂ¶is science communication.

Another area of discussion would be the relation of
the medium and the genre or sub genre of creative
form. There may also be some not yet identified trends
in these issues and it may also be given space during
the course of discussion.

Technical Sessions/ Sub Themes : There will be 5
technical sessions/ sub themes:

i) Fiction as a form of science communication : This
session presents studies on various aspects of science
fiction, story telling, science fantasy and its impact
with regard to science communication.
ii) Poetic expressions as a form of science
communication : This session discusses various forms
of poetry and its application in science
communication, i.e. proverbs by Ghagh Bhaddari, etc.
iii) Creative genres and performing arts : This
session examines the role of folk arts and forms in
presenting science to the public including its
relevance and impact in today?s world.
iv) Creative writing for audio-visual- digital media :
This session emphasises on various formats and styles
of presenting science contents and concepts through
these media.
v) Creative genres and issues of literacy and medium :
This session focuses on literacy requirement and
medium interrelation for effective S&T communication.

Seminar Format : The technical sessions will have
presentation of contributory research papers, review
papers, survey analyses, case studies, and invited
talks. That apart, there would be a Poster Session on
the theme and sub-themes specified above. Discussions
in different split groups would also form part of the
programme. Deliberations will be in Hindi with some
exceptions in English. A sub theme cannot be the title
of your paper/ presentation; select a narrower topic
under a sub theme. Papers may be prepared in standard
research paper format, i.e. title of the paper,
name(s) and address of author(s), abstract, key words,
introduction, objectives, methodology, observations,
discussion/ analysis, inferences/ conclusions/
recommendations, and references, along with
illustrations/ graphics/ photos including captions.

Who can participate : The seminar is likely to be of
interest to those who have anything to do with
science, communication and science communication, i.e.
scientists, science communicators, science writers,
journalists, editors, researchers and faculty members
of university departments of journalism, public
relations and information officers of scientific
organizations, representatives of media houses,
newspapers, magazines, science cells of radio/ TV
channels and voluntary organizations active in this
area.

Registration/ Submission of Paper/ Abstract : Deadline
February 11, 2008. No registration fee. Only selected
delegates would be invited for presentation/
participation.

Travel Fellowship : There is some provision of travel
support for selected/ invited delegates from India on
request. International delegates will make their own
travel arrangements; the organizers could offer free
stay and meals. Best paper/ presentation awards would
be given in junior and senior categories based on
independent evaluation.

How to Reach Dehradun : Dehradun is one of the
important tourist destinations in North India at the
foothills of Himalayas, connected directly by super
fast trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi,
Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Dehradun has its own airport
and Deccan Air operates its flights from Delhi 5 days
a week. It would be full winter here with a minimum
temperature about 7 0 Celsius, hence sufficient
woolens are recommended.

Exhibition of Popular Science Publications : An
Exhibition of Popular Science Publications and
Software Materials is also being organized at the
venue; please bring/ send your publications, articles,
books, magazines, kits, CDs and software materials for
display.

Addresses for communication :

Mr. Ramesh Panwar
Secretariat, Seminar 2007-08
Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun?248001
(Uttarakhand) , India
Phone : +91-11-26863811; +91-135-2749990;
+91-9313899865 (Mobile)
Email : ldkala@yahoo. com; seminarstad@ yahoo.com

Dr. Manoj Patairiya
Convener, Seminar 2007-08
National Council for Science & Technology
Communication, Dept. of Science & Technology
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi ?
110016 (India)
Phone : +91-11-26537976, 26590238 ; Fax : 26866675
Email : mkp@...; manojpatairiya@ yahoo.com; Website
: www.vichar.nic. in; www.dst.gov. in

INDICATIVE PROGRAMME

FEBRUARY 20

12:00 ? 01:00 PM PRESS CONFERENCE
02:30 ? 06:00 PM ARRIVAL OF DELEGATES/ REGISTRATION/
TEA/ COFFEE
07:00 ? 10:00 PM RECEPTION/ EVENING TALK/ NETWORKING/
DINNER

FEBRUARY 21

09:00 - 10:00 AM INTERACTION/ TEA/ COFFEE

10:00 - 11:30 AM INAUGURAL FUNCTION
11:30 - 12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE

12:00 - 01:30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION I
01:30 - 02:30 PM LUNCH

02:30 - 04:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION II
04:00 ?04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

04:30 ? 06:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION III
06:00 - 06:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

07:00 - 10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CULTURAL PROGRAMME/
DINNER

FEBRUARY 22

09:00 - 10:00 AM POSTER SESSION

10:00 ? 11:30 AM TECHNICAL SESSION IV
11:30 ? 12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE

12:00 ? 01.30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION V
01:30 ? 02.30 PM LUNCH

02:30 ? 04:00 PM BRAINSTORMING SESSION
04:00 ? 04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE/ END OF PROGRAMME

04:30 ? 06:00 PM VALEDICTORY FUNCTION
06:00 - 06:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

07:00 - 10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CONFERENCE DINNER

FEBRUARY 23

FIELD VISIT/ END OF PROGRAMME

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
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#1164

From: "arvind mishra" <drarvind3@...>
Date:: Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:05 am
Subject:: Re: Seminar on Science Communication through Creative Genres, Dehradun, India, February 20-23, 2008

drarvind3@...

Friends,
If you have finally made up your mind to participate in Dehardun seminar here is the prescribed proforma to submit your details.
This will help organizers to make the arrangements accordingly and call you back.
So please fill it up with required details and mail it asap to destinations as mentioned in earlier communications under this caption .
best,
arvind

On 08/01/2008, arvind mishra <drarvind3@...> wrote:

Yes Manish I quite agree with you and trust we all take this opportunity/challenge in an unanimous way and to something really concrete for the betterment of the genre.
thanks n best,
arvind

On 08/01/2008, Manish Mohan Gore <gore_rm@...> wrote:

Dear friend ,

This is a great opprtunity for us to repreent ourselves in NCSTC & STAD joint initiative at Dehradun in 20-23 Feb 2008. I mean to say The efforts we are making in SF through individual level or through this SF yahoo assembly, we may projct emphatically in this programme because there is a seprate & special section for SF as well. We must avail this opprtunity. I hope the yahoo SF members will convince to my stands raised here.

I hope a reply/suggestions/views from the forum members.
Your sincerely,

MANISH MOHAN GORE

--- On Mon, 7/1/08, zeashan zaidi <zeashanzaidi@...> wrote:

From: zeashan zaidi <zeashanzaidi@... >
Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Seminar on Science Communication through Creative Genres, Dehradun, India, February 20-23, 2008
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Date: Monday, 7 January, 2008, 10:12 PM

Once again NCST is taking a good initiative to promote Science Fiction in India for extending science literacy among common Indian People. Indeed fiction is the best method for promoting science. This fact had already realized in developed countries and is now coming under consideration in our country. For this, the good efforts of some of our well known scientists canâ€™t be neglected. Especially we must be thankful to Dr. Manoj Patairiya, Mr. Ramesh Panwar and all the team of NCST for arranging such valuable seminar.

regards

Zeashan Zaidi

Manoj Patairiya <manojpatairiya@ yahoo.com> wrote:

National Council for Science and Technology
Communication (NCSTC/DST)
Science Technology and Development Initiative (STAD)
Announce
National Seminar on Science Communication through
Creative Genres
Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun ? 248001
(Uttarakhand) ; February 20-23, 2008

Generally, science is considered to be dry, boring,
hard, and difficult to understand for a common man and
if science is to be communicated universally down to
masses, we need to present science in an interesting,
simple, lucid, and in a form comprehensible to the
common man. This also means that while doing so, we
need to defy existing tenets of medium, language,
presentation, literacy, understanding and so on; and
there we may need to come to the fold of creative
genres. By and large we have been writing only dry
articles and essays, delivering jargonized talks and
presenting text bookish contents in mass media in the
name of science communication and popularization. It
is not entirely above that is the motivation to go for
a science communication with creative writing, but
more importantly, creating creative pieces of science
writing or in general, creating something through
creative genres is entirely a soul searching
experience for the creator and enjoyable learning for
the target population. But, the issues are above the
delight of creation and the pleasure of appreciating
and comprehending it. Experts emphasise time and again
that creative genres have a great role in speedy
spread of scientific and technological awareness in
the society. Much needs to be done in order to find
confluence of creative genres with communication of
science and technology. We all know the tremendous
popularity of one of the creative genres ?science
fiction? has achieved and also about the remarkable
impact through it in popularising science. Similarly,
?science poems? related to weather and agricultural
practices in our folk literature remained an authentic
source of knowledge based on observational processes.
This fact points towards the sheer encouragement one
can draw from exploring the role creative genres have
in the subject under discussion and emphasising upon
the need to probe deeper as to promote the movement of
endorsing creative genres for science communication
the modern world. This seminar provides ambience and
liberty to deliberate everything connected with the
subject. In order to seek greater involvement of our
science communicators in these genres, there is need
to identify the indicators for adjudging the
effectiveness of creative genres while dealing with an
issue pertaining to science and technology. It has
also been thought necessary at the seminar that
various sub genres under the creative forms be
discussed threadbare vis-à¶is science communication.

Another area of discussion would be the relation of
the medium and the genre or sub genre of creative
form. There may also be some not yet identified trends
in these issues and it may also be given space during
the course of discussion.

Technical Sessions/ Sub Themes : There will be 5
technical sessions/ sub themes:

i) Fiction as a form of science communication : This
session presents studies on various aspects of science
fiction, story telling, science fantasy and its impact
with regard to science communication.
ii) Poetic expressions as a form of science
communication : This session discusses various forms
of poetry and its application in science
communication, i.e. proverbs by Ghagh Bhaddari, etc.
iii) Creative genres and performing arts : This
session examines the role of folk arts and forms in
presenting science to the public including its
relevance and impact in today?s world.
iv) Creative writing for audio-visual- digital media :
This session emphasises on various formats and styles
of presenting science contents and concepts through
these media.
v) Creative genres and issues of literacy and medium :
This session focuses on literacy requirement and
medium interrelation for effective S&T communication.

Seminar Format : The technical sessions will have
presentation of contributory research papers, review
papers, survey analyses, case studies, and invited
talks. That apart, there would be a Poster Session on
the theme and sub-themes specified above. Discussions
in different split groups would also form part of the
programme. Deliberations will be in Hindi with some
exceptions in English. A sub theme cannot be the title
of your paper/ presentation; select a narrower topic
under a sub theme. Papers may be prepared in standard
research paper format, i.e. title of the paper,
name(s) and address of author(s), abstract, key words,
introduction, objectives, methodology, observations,
discussion/ analysis, inferences/ conclusions/
recommendations, and references, along with
illustrations/ graphics/ photos including captions.

Who can participate : The seminar is likely to be of
interest to those who have anything to do with
science, communication and science communication, i.e.
scientists, science communicators, science writers,
journalists, editors, researchers and faculty members
of university departments of journalism, public
relations and information officers of scientific
organizations, representatives of media houses,
newspapers, magazines, science cells of radio/ TV
channels and voluntary organizations active in this
area.

Registration/ Submission of Paper/ Abstract : Deadline
February 11, 2008. No registration fee. Only selected
delegates would be invited for presentation/
participation.

Travel Fellowship : There is some provision of travel
support for selected/ invited delegates from India on
request. International delegates will make their own
travel arrangements; the organizers could offer free
stay and meals. Best paper/ presentation awards would
be given in junior and senior categories based on
independent evaluation.

How to Reach Dehradun : Dehradun is one of the
important tourist destinations in North India at the
foothills of Himalayas, connected directly by super
fast trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi,
Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Dehradun has its own airport
and Deccan Air operates its flights from Delhi 5 days
a week. It would be full winter here with a minimum
temperature about 7 0 Celsius, hence sufficient
woolens are recommended.

Exhibition of Popular Science Publications : An
Exhibition of Popular Science Publications and
Software Materials is also being organized at the
venue; please bring/ send your publications, articles,
books, magazines, kits, CDs and software materials for
display.

Addresses for communication :

Mr. Ramesh Panwar
Secretariat, Seminar 2007-08
Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun?248001
(Uttarakhand) , India
Phone : +91-11-26863811; +91-135-2749990;
+91-9313899865 (Mobile)
Email : ldkala@yahoo. com; seminarstad@ yahoo.com

Dr. Manoj Patairiya
Convener, Seminar 2007-08
National Council for Science & Technology
Communication, Dept. of Science & Technology
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi ?
110016 (India)
Phone : +91-11-26537976, 26590238 ; Fax : 26866675
Email : mkp@...; manojpatairiya@ yahoo.com; Website
: www.vichar.nic. in; www.dst.gov. in

INDICATIVE PROGRAMME

FEBRUARY 20

12:00 ? 01:00 PM PRESS CONFERENCE
02:30 ? 06:00 PM ARRIVAL OF DELEGATES/ REGISTRATION/
TEA/ COFFEE
07:00 ? 10:00 PM RECEPTION/ EVENING TALK/ NETWORKING/
DINNER

FEBRUARY 21

09:00 - 10:00 AM INTERACTION/ TEA/ COFFEE

10:00 - 11:30 AM INAUGURAL FUNCTION
11:30 - 12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE

12:00 - 01:30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION I
01:30 - 02:30 PM LUNCH

02:30 - 04:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION II
04:00 ?04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

04:30 ? 06:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION III
06:00 - 06:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

07:00 - 10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CULTURAL PROGRAMME/
DINNER

FEBRUARY 22

09:00 - 10:00 AM POSTER SESSION

10:00 ? 11:30 AM TECHNICAL SESSION IV
11:30 ? 12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE

12:00 ? 01.30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION V
01:30 ? 02.30 PM LUNCH

02:30 ? 04:00 PM BRAINSTORMING SESSION
04:00 ? 04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE/ END OF PROGRAMME

04:30 ? 06:00 PM VALEDICTORY FUNCTION
06:00 - 06:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

07:00 - 10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CONFERENCE DINNER

FEBRUARY 23

FIELD VISIT/ END OF PROGRAMME

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
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#1163

From: Manish Mohan Gore <gore_rm@...>
Date:: Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:33 pm
Subject:: Re: Understanding Science Fiction :An Introduction !

gore_rm@...

Dear all SF members,

I think "Understanding Science Fiction" is a concrete work in SF literature.

Readers would be benefitted after reading it.

I pay best wishes from all this yahoo sf forum to the writer duo (Dr. M H Srinarhari & Dr. K S Purushothaman).

MANISH MOHAN GORE

--- On Fri, 18/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...> wrote:

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...>
Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Understanding Science Fiction :An Introduction !
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Date: Friday, 18 January, 2008, 6:19 PM

I am sure the book by Sh. Narahari and Sh Purushotham is a valuable contribution. Some details about the chapters, pages, price, etc. will be helpful. I agree with Arvind jee that some info onsci fi in other-than- Eng languages would be welcome. May be in next edition.

CMN

arvind mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:

Dear Friends,
"Understanding Science Fiction"
I am im proud possession of this new book [Courtesy: Mr.Manish Mohan
Gore] written jointly by Dr.R.H.Srinarhari and Dr.K.S.Purushothama n
and just finished reading it.The book does an all round survey on the
origin and history of the genre in its global perspectives.
Besides,it also deals with the concepts including definition,various
forms,themes, trends and movements and appends an annotated
bibliography much to the interest of researchers in the field.
The book could be said to be complete in its approach and may serve
the purpose of being a guide for beginners on the genre save the only
aspect which it has strangely left to include,that is the status of sf
in Indian languages.
The book could be procured from the Indian Association for Science
Fiction Studies [IASFS],#5,17TH East Main
Road,Gandhinagar, Vellore-632006; Phone,0416- 2244115
Arvind

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#1162

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...>
Date:: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:49 pm
Subject:: Re: Understanding Science Fiction :An Introduction !

cmnautiyal

Offline

I am sure the book by Sh. Narahari and Sh Purushotham is a valuable contribution. Some details about the chapters, pages, price, etc. will be helpful. I agree with Arvind jee that some info onsci fi in other-than- Eng languages would be welcome. May be in next edition.

CMN

arvind mishra <arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:

Dear Friends,
"Understanding Science Fiction"
I am im proud possession of this new book [Courtesy: Mr.Manish Mohan
Gore] written jointly by Dr.R.H.Srinarhari and Dr.K.S.Purushothaman
and just finished reading it.The book does an all round survey on the
origin and history of the genre in its global perspectives.
Besides,it also deals with the concepts including definition,various
forms,themes,trends and movements and appends an annotated
bibliography much to the interest of researchers in the field.
The book could be said to be complete in its approach and may serve
the purpose of being a guide for beginners on the genre save the only
aspect which it has strangely left to include,that is the status of sf
in Indian languages.
The book could be procured from the Indian Association for Science
Fiction Studies [IASFS],#5,17TH East Main
Road,Gandhinagar,Vellore-632006;Phone,0416-2244115
Arvind

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#1161

From: "arvind mishra" <arvind_drmishra@...>
Date:: Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:27 am
Subject:: Understanding Science Fiction :An Introduction !

arvind_drmishra

Offline

Dear Friends,
"Understanding Science Fiction"
I am im proud possession of this new book [Courtesy: Mr.Manish Mohan
Gore] written jointly  by Dr.R.H.Srinarhari and Dr.K.S.Purushothaman
and just finished reading it.The book does an all round survey on the
origin  and history of the genre in its global perspectives.
Besides,it also deals with the concepts including definition,various
forms,themes,trends and movements and appends an annotated
bibliography much to the interest of researchers in the field.
The book could be said to be complete in its approach and may serve
the purpose of being  a guide for beginners on the genre save the only
aspect which it has strangely left to include,that is the status of sf
in Indian languages.
The book could be procured from the Indian Association for Science
Fiction Studies [IASFS],#5,17TH East Main
Road,Gandhinagar,Vellore-632006;Phone,0416-2244115
Arvind

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (4)

#1160

From: Manish Mohan Gore <gore_rm@...>
Date:: Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:01 am
Subject:: Re: Fwd: Re: Re: Interview opportunity:Mr.Law's big come back;Mr. Law in VARANASI

gore_rm@...

Dr. Arvindji,

Thanks for your gesture regardig SF enthusiast Adam Law.

I met Law during my Pondycherry visit. I found him very interested with sf genre.

We, SF writers of India should encourage a person like Law who instead of being a Foreigner takes so much interest in India SF writings.

Via our this forum I pay my humble thanks to Adam Law.

Thanks to Dr. Mishra alsofor raising such thing.

SIncerely,

MANISH MOHAN GORE

--- On Mon, 14/1/08, arvind mishra <arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:

From: arvind mishra <arvind_drmishra@...>
Subject: [indiansciencefiction] Fwd: Re: Re: Interview opportunity:Mr.Law's big come back;Mr. Law in VARANASI
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Date: Monday, 14 January, 2008, 8:39 AM

Dear Friends,
Do you remember, we had a lot of funny discussions and
speculations[ genuinely so!] about this guy-Adam law who defying all
such apprehensions appeared on the stage of 9th IASFS coference in
Pondicherry and visited Varanasi too on the eve of new year .Adam was
accompanoied by his younger brother Nathan ,they are in their twenties
and make a perfet globe trotter team .They honoured us by spending a
couple of days with us in Varanasi.
You could access to this link to have a glimpse of their reminisces
about this great city and marvel about what these guys are up to in
this very tender age.
http://www.travelpo d.com/travel- blog-entries/ nathanlaw/ india/1199206260 .html
Thanks n regards,
arvind

--- In indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in, "arvind mishra"
<arvind_drmishra@ ...> wrote:
>
> Friends,
> In contradiction to all our skepticism and reservations Mr.Law joined
> the IASFS conference held in Pondycherry and has now posted the
> following blog which you may find iteresting.
> Please let me know if you successfully accessed the link .no matter
> you read or not read the blog.
>
>
http://www.travelpo d.com/travel- blog-entries/ nathanlaw/ india/1197471480 /tpod.html
>
>
>
> --- In indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in, "Arvind Mishra"
> <dr_arvind3@ > wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Note: Forwarded message attached
> >
> > -- Original Message --
> >
> > From: "Arvind Mishra" <dr_arvind3@ >
> > To: "Adam Law" <nakedlaw@>
> > Cc: "drarvind3" <drarvind3@>
> > Subject: Re: Re: Interview opportunity
> >
> > CHERR UPP! HERE IS SOMETHING MORE IN MY STORE FOR YOU MR. LAW !
> > An invitation to you to attend the 9th science fiction conference to
> be held in Podicherry.Details follow -
> > Dear Sir,
> >
> > I suggest that the Naked Law team led by Mr Law
> visit Pondi-cherry to participate in the IX Conference of IASFS [of
> which I am the Vice-President] on 8th & 9th of December 2007 where the
> cream of SF writers& scholars converge for a mega-event.
> >
> > I cannot think of a better place and time. I will
> be very happy to interact for a fruitful collaboration on behalf of
> Indian Writers & Scholars.
> >
> > Details after hearing from you.
> >
> > With warm regards for a great SF Future !
> >
> >
> RAJASHEKHAR BHOOSNURMATH
> > 9th National Science Fiction Conference
> > Organized by
> > Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies
> > Department of English, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry.
> > Vigyan Prashar, New Delhi
> >
> > 8th and 9th December 2007.
> > Venue:Dept. of English, Pondicherry University, Venkataraman nagar,
> kalapet, Pondicherry â€“ 605 014
> > .
> > Delegates Fee: Outstation participants: Rs. 500/-; Students and
> Local participants: Rs.200/-
> > Senior Citizens: Rs.300/-; Institutional representation Rs.1000/-
> [Delegates fee includes Breakfast, Tea, Lunch , Dinner ,
> Accommodation and Conference material /others] Registration: can be
> done at counters on the day of the Conference. Or send a DD to IASFS
> payable at Vellore.
> >
> > Theme: Science in literature / Science Fiction. Or any allied topic
> concerned with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Regional / Vernacular SF in
> Indian languages will have special sessions. Abstracts/papers can be
> sent to Local Secretary at the earliest. For accommodation contact
> Local Sec. / Coordinator.
> >
> > Eligibility: Age, Qualification, previous knowledge no bar. Must be
> interested in Reading and Writing of SF or Fantasy short
> stories/novels/ poetry/drama.
> >
> > CONTACT: Conference email: iasfsconference@
> > Local Secretary: Dr. NATARAJAN, HOD of English, Pondicherry
University,
> >
> >
> >
> > On Fri, 16 Nov 2007 Adam Law wrote :
> > >Dear Mr. Mishra,
> > >
> > >Thank you very much for your response. We are really looking forward
> > >to meeting you and talking about your work and organization. Could
> > >you please send us a number to contact you with? We will contact you
> > >a week or so in advance of our arrival. Also could you please
tell us
> > >which city you are currently residing in so that we can make concrete
> > >plans for the interview time and location. Currently our team is in
> > >Mumbai and will travel all over India for the next 2 months.
> > >
> > >All the best,
> > >
> > >Adam John Law
> > >Naked Law President/Founder
> > >nakedlaw@
> > >
> > >On 5 Nov 2007 15:16:19 -0000, Arvind Mishra <dr_arvind3@ > wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Dear Mr.Law,
> > > > Thanks for your kind invitation to interview prominent people,
> academic and
> > > > scientific organizations throughout India for 'Naked Law'.I
> welcome and
> > > > happily express my concurrence to the novel venture.
> > > > Please intimate me the itinerary of your team in India so that
> I can plan
> > > > well in advance the envisioned interview and inform the members
> of Indian
> > > > science fiction forum accordingly.
> > > > Looking forward to hear from you soon,
> > > > sincerely,
> > > > arvind mishra
> > > >
> > > > On Fri, 02 Nov 2007 Adam Law wrote :
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > >Dear Sience Fiction Writers in India,
> > > > >
> > > > >Greetings, my name is Adam Law, the founder of a
> news/educational website
> > > > >and monthly online magazine named "naked law", that will be
> launching in
> > > > >Spring 2008. One of the projects that our website is
> currently producing
> > > > >are interviews with prominent academic and scientific
> organizations
> > > > >throughout India from November until mid January. We are
> attempting to
> > > > >compile interviews from experts in various fields and have
> dialogue on the
> > > > >most important and exciting issues being explored in India.
> We are very
> > > > >interested in your organization and its work and we would like
> to know if
> > > > it
> > > > >is possible to schedule an interview with someone from your
> organization
> > > > for
> > > > >possible use on our news website and online magazine. If
you are
> > > > interested
> > > > >please respond to this mail and we can schedule a date and
> time to conduct
> > > > >the interview while our team is in India. We are looking
> forward to
> > > > hearing
> > > > > from you.
> > > > >
> > > > >Sincerely,
> > > > >
> > > > >Adam John Law
> > > > >Naked Law President/Founder
> > > > >nakedlaw@
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
>

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#1159

From: "arvind mishra" <arvind_drmishra@...>
Date:: Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:09 am
Subject:: Fwd: Re: Re: Interview opportunity:Mr.Law's big come back;Mr. Law in VARANASI

arvind_drmishra

Offline

Dear Friends,
Do you  remember, we had a lot of funny discussions and
speculations[genuinely so!] about this guy-Adam law who defying all
such   apprehensions appeared on the stage of 9th IASFS coference in
Pondicherry and visited Varanasi too on the eve of new year .Adam was
accompanoied by his younger brother Nathan ,they are in their twenties
and make a perfet globe trotter team .They honoured us by spending a
couple of days with us in Varanasi.
You could access to this link to have a glimpse of their reminisces
about this great city and marvel about what these guys are up to in
this very tender age.
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nathanlaw/india/1199206260.html
Thanks n regards,
arvind



--- In indiansciencefiction@..., "arvind mishra"
<arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:
>
> Friends,
> In contradiction to all our skepticism and reservations Mr.Law joined
> the IASFS conference  held in Pondycherry and has now posted the
> following blog which you may find iteresting.
> Please let me know if you successfully accessed the link .no matter
> you read or not read the blog.
>
>
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nathanlaw/india/1197471480/tpod.htm\
l
>
>
>
> --- In indiansciencefiction@..., "Arvind Mishra"
> <dr_arvind3@> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Note: Forwarded message attached
> >
> > -- Original Message --
> >
> > From: "Arvind Mishra" <dr_arvind3@>
> > To: "Adam Law" <nakedlaw@>
> > Cc: "drarvind3" <drarvind3@>
> > Subject: Re: Re: Interview opportunity
> >
> > CHERR UPP! HERE IS SOMETHING MORE IN MY STORE FOR YOU MR. LAW !
> > An invitation to you to attend the 9th science fiction conference to
> be held in Podicherry.Details follow -
> > Dear Sir,
> >
> >                   I suggest that the Naked Law team led by Mr Law
> visit Pondi-cherry to participate in the IX Conference of IASFS [of
> which I am the Vice-President] on 8th & 9th of December 2007 where the
> cream of SF writers& scholars converge for a mega-event.
> >
> >                   I cannot think of a better place and time. I will
> be very happy to interact for a fruitful collaboration on behalf of
> Indian Writers & Scholars.
> >
> >                  Details after hearing from you.
> >
> >                   With warm regards for a great SF Future !
> >
> >
> RAJASHEKHAR BHOOSNURMATH
> > 9th National Science Fiction Conference
> > Organized by
> > Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies
> > Department of English, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry.
> > Vigyan Prashar, New Delhi
> >
> > 8th and 9th December 2007.
> > Venue:Dept. of English, Pondicherry University, Venkataraman nagar,
> kalapet, Pondicherry – 605 014
> > .
> > Delegates Fee: Outstation participants: Rs. 500/-; Students  and
> Local participants: Rs.200/-
> > Senior  Citizens: Rs.300/-; Institutional representation Rs.1000/-
> [Delegates fee includes  Breakfast, Tea, Lunch , Dinner ,
> Accommodation and Conference material /others] Registration: can be
> done at counters on the day of the Conference. Or send a DD to IASFS
> payable at Vellore.
> >
> > Theme: Science in literature / Science Fiction. Or any allied topic
> concerned with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Regional / Vernacular SF in
> Indian languages will have special sessions. Abstracts/papers can be
> sent to Local Secretary at the earliest. For accommodation contact
> Local Sec. / Coordinator.
> >
> > Eligibility: Age, Qualification, previous knowledge no bar. Must be
> interested in Reading and Writing of SF or Fantasy short
> stories/novels/poetry/drama.
> >
> > CONTACT: Conference email: iasfsconference@
> > Local Secretary: Dr. NATARAJAN, HOD of English, Pondicherry
University,
> >
> >
> >
> > On Fri, 16 Nov 2007 Adam Law wrote :
> > >Dear Mr. Mishra,
> > >
> > >Thank you very much for your response.  We are really looking forward
> > >to meeting you and talking about your work and organization.  Could
> > >you please send us a number to contact you with?  We will contact you
> > >a week or so in advance of our arrival.  Also could you please
tell us
> > >which city you are currently residing in so that we can make concrete
> > >plans for the interview time and location.  Currently our team is in
> > >Mumbai and will travel all over India for the next 2 months.
> > >
> > >All the best,
> > >
> > >Adam John Law
> > >Naked Law President/Founder
> > >nakedlaw@
> > >
> > >On 5 Nov 2007 15:16:19 -0000, Arvind Mishra <dr_arvind3@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >  Dear Mr.Law,
> > > >  Thanks for your kind invitation to interview prominent people,
> academic and
> > > > scientific organizations throughout India for  'Naked Law'.I
> welcome  and
> > > > happily express my concurrence to the novel venture.
> > > >  Please intimate me the itinerary of your team in India so that
> I can plan
> > > > well in advance the envisioned interview and inform the members
> of Indian
> > > > science fiction forum accordingly.
> > > >  Looking forward to hear from you soon,
> > > >  sincerely,
> > > >  arvind mishra
> > > >
> > > >  On Fri, 02 Nov 2007 Adam Law wrote :
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >  >Dear Sience Fiction Writers in India,
> > > >  >
> > > >  >Greetings, my name is Adam Law, the founder of a
> news/educational website
> > > >  >and monthly online magazine named "naked law", that will be
> launching in
> > > >  >Spring 2008.  One of the projects that our website is
> currently producing
> > > >  >are interviews with prominent academic and scientific
> organizations
> > > >  >throughout India from November until mid January.  We are
> attempting to
> > > >  >compile interviews from experts in various fields and have
> dialogue on the
> > > >  >most important and exciting issues being explored in India.
> We are very
> > > >  >interested in your organization and its work and we would like
> to know if
> > > > it
> > > >  >is possible to schedule an interview with someone from your
> organization
> > > > for
> > > >  >possible use on our news website and online magazine.  If
you are
> > > > interested
> > > >  >please respond to this mail and we can schedule a date and
> time to conduct
> > > >  >the interview while our team is in India.  We are looking
> forward to
> > > > hearing
> > > >  > from you.
> > > >  >
> > > >  >Sincerely,
> > > >  >
> > > >  >Adam John Law
> > > >  >Naked Law President/Founder
> > > >  >nakedlaw@
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (14)

#1158

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...>
Date:: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:41 am
Subject:: Re: Re: Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

cmnautiyal

Offline

Dear Arvind jee,

There is something funny because again that unwanted space has appeared. In fact this happened a few months ago too. May be when you press the key for ' v ', the space key (right below it) also gets pressed!

CMN

Arvind Mishra <dr_arvind3@...> wrote:

Thanks Dr.Nautiyal for the correction ,pl try this link-
http://indiascifiarvind.blogspot.com/2007/08/science-fiction-in-indiaan-overview.html
On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL wrote :
>Thanks Arvind jee. The site is fine. The address you gave has one space between 'arv' and 'ind' which shouldn't have been there. In my case, I have more poems, articles and research papers on science than sci- fiction.
>
>I hope the active sci-fi writers would come forward.
>
> CMN
>Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@yahoo.co.in> wrote:
> Thanks Dr.Nautiyal ,I am afraid this may be some sort of shameless self promotion for some one and an embarrassment for some others to put their published works of sf on FORUM.But I assure you there is definitely an upsurge of sf literature after 1970's which has been documented elsewhere[http://indiascifiarvind.blogspot.com/2007/08/science-fiction-in-india.
>Your thesis stands vindicated.But if you wish that all the members should put their updates on this forum also it seems ok.I shall put after you.... or after any one else for that matter...
>So friends let us update our sf records .
>
>
>arvind mishra
>
>--- On Thu, 10/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk>
>Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
>To: indiansciencefiction@yahoogroups.co.in
>Date: Thursday, 10 January, 2008, 11:28 AM
>
>
> Friends,
>
> I shall be thankful if you could tell about the science fiction/ compilations authored by you and your friends during the past 2- 3 decades yearwise. Please include regional languages also if you can. I am trying to understand the trend in view of my feeling the trend has been upward as I pointed out in my e-mail (Near regular pub. in Sci Rep and Vigyan Pragati, Science fiction Asso., this forum, holding conference and another one which has sci-fi as theme, several books, one book on sci fi by Gore and Mishra, film Koi Mil Gaya slightly touches,etc. ).
>
> CMN
>
>Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:
> Thanks Dr. Nautiyal, I have some observations ,please check If I am wrong.
> What you really mean is perhaps resurgence of sf or sf/f and not the sci-fi because the term sci-fi is usually referred by Hollywood Journalists for block buster moovies.But now a days the term too is getting more popular.
> 2.Popular Hindi science mag 'Vigyan Pragati' also publishes sf often if not regularly.
> 3.You perhaps forgot to underline the contributions of Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association.
>
> 4.Its great contentment personally to me that while some of our Indian friends went away from the forum owing to reasons only they know better,we got the soothing and enlightening company of Indian sf lovers even from abroad like revered Mr. Gene Van Troyer from Japan, Mr.Michael Iwoleit from Germany and Mr.Adam John Law and Nathan law from USA.I adore their presence on the forum and trust they are with us in years to come.Their presence on the forum only validates an oft repeated Vadic[Rigveda] saying -'Vasudhev Kutumbakam]- that is the whole world should be like a family.We represent now an sf world family indeed.And I am proud of my extended family.
> But it all got accomplished due to the great friends like you who were there in all time when I needed someone to be with me to keep the sf flag erect and high.
> I am stopping here before I get more maudlin and senti...
> Thanks to all ...A very happy and prosperous 2008 !
>
>
>
>arvind mishra
>
>--- On Wed, 2/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>
>Subject: Re: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
>To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in
>Date: Wednesday, 2 January, 2008, 6:57 PM
>
>
> Sure. Bu there is an upward thrust.
>
> What I am looking for is more arguments to support my statment.
>
> CMN
>
>Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:
> Yes you are quite right Dr. Nautiyal, advancement is really there but remember we still have a long way to go.
>
>arvind mishra
>
>--- On Tue, 1/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>
>Subject: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
>To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in
>Date: Tuesday, 1 January, 2008, 7:03 PM
>
>
> I want to state
>
> "Of late, there has been a resurgence of science fiction in India." I advance the following facts to support it:
>
> 1. There is now an exclusively quarterly sci-fi magazine in Hindi being published, started about 6 years ago (Vigyan katha)
> 2. The most popular Indian science magazine Science reporter has started publishing sci-fi regularly
> 3. A forum by name Indiansciencefictio n has been started
> 4. A national convention on science fiction has become a regular feature for the past few years
> 4. Movies like ... have a little semblence of sci- fi.
>
> Would you like to add something friends?
>
> CMN
>
>
>---------------------------------
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>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
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>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
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>
>
>
>
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>
>
>
>
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#1157

From: "Arvind Mishra" <dr_arvind3@...>
Date:: Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:48 am
Subject:: Re: Re: Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

arvind_drmishra

Offline

Thanks Dr.Nautiyal for the correction ,pl try this link-
http://indiascifiarvind.blogspot.com/2007/08/science-fiction-in-indiaan-overview.html
On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL wrote :
>Thanks Arvind jee. The site is fine. The address you gave has one space between 'arv' and 'ind' which shouldn't have been there. In my case, I have more poems, articles and research papers on science than sci- fiction.
>
>I hope the active sci-fi writers would come forward.
>
> CMN
>Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:
> Thanks Dr.Nautiyal ,I am afraid this may be some sort of shameless self promotion for some one and an embarrassment for some others to put their published works of sf on FORUM.But I assure you there is definitely an upsurge of sf literature after 1970's which has been documented elsewhere[http://indiascifiarvind.blogspot.com/2007/08/science-fiction-in-india.
>Your thesis stands vindicated.But if you wish that all the members should put their updates on this forum also it seems ok.I shall put after you.... or after any one else for that matter...
>So friends let us update our sf records .
>
>
>arvind mishra
>
>--- On Thu, 10/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...>
>Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
>To: indiansciencefiction@...
>Date: Thursday, 10 January, 2008, 11:28 AM
>
>
> Friends,
>
> I shall be thankful if you could tell about the science fiction/ compilations authored by you and your friends during the past 2- 3 decades yearwise. Please include regional languages also if you can. I am trying to understand the trend in view of my feeling the trend has been upward as I pointed out in my e-mail (Near regular pub. in Sci Rep and Vigyan Pragati, Science fiction Asso., this forum, holding conference and another one which has sci-fi as theme, several books, one book on sci fi by Gore and Mishra, film Koi Mil Gaya slightly touches,etc. ).
>
> CMN
>
>Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:
> Thanks Dr. Nautiyal, I have some observations ,please check If I am wrong.
> What you really mean is perhaps resurgence of sf or sf/f and not the sci-fi because the term sci-fi is usually referred by Hollywood Journalists for block buster moovies.But now a days the term too is getting more popular.
> 2.Popular Hindi science mag 'Vigyan Pragati' also publishes sf often if not regularly.
> 3.You perhaps forgot to underline the contributions of Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association.
>
> 4.Its great contentment personally to me that while some of our Indian friends went away from the forum owing to reasons only they know better,we got the soothing and enlightening company of Indian sf lovers even from abroad like revered Mr. Gene Van Troyer from Japan, Mr.Michael Iwoleit from Germany and Mr.Adam John Law and Nathan law from USA.I adore their presence on the forum and trust they are with us in years to come.Their presence on the forum only validates an oft repeated Vadic[Rigveda] saying -'Vasudhev Kutumbakam]- that is the whole world should be like a family.We represent now an sf world family indeed.And I am proud of my extended family.
> But it all got accomplished due to the great friends like you who were there in all time when I needed someone to be with me to keep the sf flag erect and high.
> I am stopping here before I get more maudlin and senti...
> Thanks to all ...A very happy and prosperous 2008 !
>
>
>
>arvind mishra
>
>--- On Wed, 2/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>
>Subject: Re: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
>To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in
>Date: Wednesday, 2 January, 2008, 6:57 PM
>
>
> Sure. Bu there is an upward thrust.
>
> What I am looking for is more arguments to support my statment.
>
> CMN
>
>Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:
> Yes you are quite right Dr. Nautiyal, advancement is really there but remember we still have a long way to go.
>
>arvind mishra
>
>--- On Tue, 1/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>
>Subject: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
>To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in
>Date: Tuesday, 1 January, 2008, 7:03 PM
>
>
> I want to state
>
> "Of late, there has been a resurgence of science fiction in India." I advance the following facts to support it:
>
> 1. There is now an exclusively quarterly sci-fi magazine in Hindi being published, started about 6 years ago (Vigyan katha)
> 2. The most popular Indian science magazine Science reporter has started publishing sci-fi regularly
> 3. A forum by name Indiansciencefictio n has been started
> 4. A national convention on science fiction has become a regular feature for the past few years
> 4. Movies like ... have a little semblence of sci- fi.
>
> Would you like to add something friends?
>
> CMN
>
>
>---------------------------------
> Why delete messages? Unlimited storage is just a click away.
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
> Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
> Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
> Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
> Chat on a cool, new interface. No download required. Click here.
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
> Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
> Did you know? You can CHAT without downloading messenger. Click here

#1156

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...>
Date:: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:45 pm
Subject:: Re: Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

cmnautiyal

Offline

Thanks Arvind jee. The site is fine. The address you gave has one space between 'arv' and 'ind' which shouldn't have been there. In my case, I have more poems, articles and research papers on science than sci- fiction.

I hope the active sci-fi writers would come forward.

CMN
Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:

Thanks Dr.Nautiyal ,I am afraid this may be some sort of shameless self promotion for some one and an embarrassment for some others to put their published works of sf on FORUM.But I assure you there is definitely an upsurge of sf literature after 1970's which has been documented elsewhere[http://indiascifiarvind.blogspot.com/2007/08/science-fiction-in-india.
Your thesis stands vindicated.But if you wish that all the members should put their updates on this forum also it seems ok.I shall put after you.... or after any one else for that matter...
So friends let us update our sf records .

arvind mishra

--- On Thu, 10/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
To: indiansciencefiction@yahoogroups.co.in
Date: Thursday, 10 January, 2008, 11:28 AM

Friends,

I shall be thankful if you could tell about the science fiction/ compilations authored by you and your friends during the past 2- 3 decades yearwise. Please include regional languages also if you can. I am trying to understand the trend in view of my feeling the trend has been upward as I pointed out in my e-mail (Near regular pub. in Sci Rep and Vigyan Pragati, Science fiction Asso., this forum, holding conference and another one which has sci-fi as theme, several books, one book on sci fi by Gore and Mishra, film Koi Mil Gaya slightly touches,etc. ).

CMN

Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:

Thanks Dr. Nautiyal, I have some observations ,please check If I am wrong.

What you really mean is perhaps resurgence of sf or sf/f and not the sci-fi because the term sci-fi is usually referred by Hollywood Journalists for block buster moovies.But now a days the term too is getting more popular.

2.Popular Hindi science mag 'Vigyan Pragati' also publishes sf often if not regularly.

3.You perhaps forgot to underline the contributions of Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association.

4.Its great contentment personally to me that while some of our Indian friends went away from the forum owing to reasons only they know better,we got the soothing and enlightening company of Indian sf lovers even from abroad like revered Mr. Gene Van Troyer from Japan, Mr.Michael Iwoleit from Germany and Mr.Adam John Law and Nathan law from USA.I adore their presence on the forum and trust they are with us in years to come.Their presence on the forum only validates an oft repeated Vadic[Rigveda] saying -'Vasudhev Kutumbakam]- that is the whole world should be like a family.We represent now an sf world family indeed.And I am proud of my extended family.

But it all got accomplished due to the great friends like you who were there in all time when I needed someone to be with me to keep the sf flag erect and high.

I am stopping here before I get more maudlin and senti...

Thanks to all ...A very happy and prosperous 2008 !

arvind mishra

--- On Wed, 2/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>
Subject: Re: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in
Date: Wednesday, 2 January, 2008, 6:57 PM

Sure. Bu there is an upward thrust.

What I am looking for is more arguments to support my statment.

CMN

Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:

Yes you are quite right Dr. Nautiyal, advancement is really there but remember we still have a long way to go.

arvind mishra

--- On Tue, 1/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>
Subject: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in
Date: Tuesday, 1 January, 2008, 7:03 PM

I want to state

"Of late, there has been a resurgence of science fiction in India." I advance the following facts to support it:

1. There is now an exclusively quarterly sci-fi magazine in Hindi being published, started about 6 years ago (Vigyan katha)

2. The most popular Indian science magazine Science reporter has started publishing sci-fi regularly

3. A forum by name Indiansciencefictio n has been started

4. A national convention on science fiction has become a regular feature for the past few years

4. Movies like ... have a little semblence of sci- fi.

Would you like to add something friends?

CMN

Why delete messages? Unlimited storage is just a click away.

Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now

Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.

Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now

Chat on a cool, new interface. No download required. Click here.

Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now

Did you know? You can CHAT without downloading messenger. Click here

#1155

From: Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@...>
Date:: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:01 pm
Subject:: Re: Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

arvind_drmishra

Offline

Thanks Dr.Nautiyal ,I am afraid this may be some sort of shameless self promotion for some one and an embarrassment for some others to put their published works of sf on FORUM.But I assure you there is definitely an upsurge of sf literature after 1970's which has been documented elsewhere[http://indiascifiarvind.blogspot.com/2007/08/science-fiction-in-india.
Your thesis stands vindicated.But if you wish that all the members should put their updates on this forum also it seems ok.I shall put after you.... or after any one else for that matter...
So friends let us update our sf records .

arvind mishra

--- On Thu, 10/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...> wrote:

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...>
Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Date: Thursday, 10 January, 2008, 11:28 AM

Friends,

I shall be thankful if you could tell about the science fiction/ compilations authored by you and your friends during the past 2- 3 decades yearwise. Please include regional languages also if you can. I am trying to understand the trend in view of my feeling the trend has been upward as I pointed out in my e-mail (Near regular pub. in Sci Rep and Vigyan Pragati, Science fiction Asso., this forum, holding conference and another one which has sci-fi as theme, several books, one book on sci fi by Gore and Mishra, film Koi Mil Gaya slightly touches,etc. ).

CMN

Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:

Thanks Dr. Nautiyal, I have some observations ,please check If I am wrong.

What you really mean is perhaps resurgence of sf or sf/f and not the sci-fi because the term sci-fi is usually referred by Hollywood Journalists for block buster moovies.But now a days the term too is getting more popular.

2.Popular Hindi science mag 'Vigyan Pragati' also publishes sf often if not regularly.

3.You perhaps forgot to underline the contributions of Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association.

4.Its great contentment personally to me that while some of our Indian friends went away from the forum owing to reasons only they know better,we got the soothing and enlightening company of Indian sf lovers even from abroad like revered Mr. Gene Van Troyer from Japan, Mr.Michael Iwoleit from Germany and Mr.Adam John Law and Nathan law from USA.I adore their presence on the forum and trust they are with us in years to come.Their presence on the forum only validates an oft repeated Vadic[Rigveda] saying -'Vasudhev Kutumbakam]- that is the whole world should be like a family.We represent now an sf world family indeed.And I am proud of my extended family.

But it all got accomplished due to the great friends like you who were there in all time when I needed someone to be with me to keep the sf flag erect and high.

I am stopping here before I get more maudlin and senti...

Thanks to all ...A very happy and prosperous 2008 !

arvind mishra

--- On Wed, 2/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>
Subject: Re: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in
Date: Wednesday, 2 January, 2008, 6:57 PM

Sure. Bu there is an upward thrust.

What I am looking for is more arguments to support my statment.

CMN

Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:

Yes you are quite right Dr. Nautiyal, advancement is really there but remember we still have a long way to go.

arvind mishra

--- On Tue, 1/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>
Subject: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in
Date: Tuesday, 1 January, 2008, 7:03 PM

I want to state

"Of late, there has been a resurgence of science fiction in India." I advance the following facts to support it:

1. There is now an exclusively quarterly sci-fi magazine in Hindi being published, started about 6 years ago (Vigyan katha)

2. The most popular Indian science magazine Science reporter has started publishing sci-fi regularly

3. A forum by name Indiansciencefictio n has been started

4. A national convention on science fiction has become a regular feature for the past few years

4. Movies like ... have a little semblence of sci- fi.

Would you like to add something friends?

CMN

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#1154

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...>
Date:: Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:58 am
Subject:: Re: Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

cmnautiyal

Offline

Friends,

I shall be thankful if you could tell about the science fiction/ compilations authored by you and your friends during the past 2- 3 decades yearwise. Please include regional languages also if you can. I am trying to understand the trend in view of my feeling the trend has been upward as I pointed out in my e-mail (Near regular pub. in Sci Rep and Vigyan Pragati, Science fiction Asso., this forum, holding conference and another one which has sci-fi as theme, several books, one book on sci fi by Gore and Mishra, film Koi Mil Gaya slightly touches,etc.).

CMN

Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:

Thanks Dr. Nautiyal, I have some observations ,please check If I am wrong.

What you really mean is perhaps resurgence of sf or sf/f and not the sci-fi because the term sci-fi is usually referred by Hollywood Journalists for block buster moovies.But now a days the term too is getting more popular.

2.Popular Hindi science mag 'Vigyan Pragati' also publishes sf often if not regularly.

3.You perhaps forgot to underline the contributions of Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association.

4.Its great contentment personally to me that while some of our Indian friends went away from the forum owing to reasons only they know better,we got the soothing and enlightening company of Indian sf lovers even from abroad like revered Mr. Gene Van Troyer from Japan, Mr.Michael Iwoleit from Germany and Mr.Adam John Law and Nathan law from USA.I adore their presence on the forum and trust they are with us in years to come.Their presence on the forum only validates an oft repeated Vadic[Rigveda] saying -'Vasudhev Kutumbakam]- that is the whole world should be like a family.We represent now an sf world family indeed.And I am proud of my extended family.

But it all got accomplished due to the great friends like you who were there in all time when I needed someone to be with me to keep the sf flag erect and high.

I am stopping here before I get more maudlin and senti...

Thanks to all ...A very happy and prosperous 2008 !

arvind mishra

--- On Wed, 2/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
To: indiansciencefiction@yahoogroups.co.in
Date: Wednesday, 2 January, 2008, 6:57 PM

Sure. Bu there is an upward thrust.

What I am looking for is more arguments to support my statment.

CMN

Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:

Yes you are quite right Dr. Nautiyal, advancement is really there but remember we still have a long way to go.

arvind mishra

--- On Tue, 1/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>
Subject: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.in
Date: Tuesday, 1 January, 2008, 7:03 PM

I want to state

"Of late, there has been a resurgence of science fiction in India." I advance the following facts to support it:

1. There is now an exclusively quarterly sci-fi magazine in Hindi being published, started about 6 years ago (Vigyan katha)

2. The most popular Indian science magazine Science reporter has started publishing sci-fi regularly

3. A forum by name Indiansciencefictio n has been started

4. A national convention on science fiction has become a regular feature for the past few years

4. Movies like ... have a little semblence of sci- fi.

Would you like to add something friends?

CMN

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#1153

From: Vishwa Mohan Tiwari <onevishwa@...>
Date:: Wed Jan 9, 2008 6:35 pm
Subject:: RE: Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

onevishwa

Offline

Friends,
The disscussion is in a positve direction, and that shows that we have significant scientific temper in us.
What I was stating was in reference to popularity of SF, and not in general.
I have seen some reliable data ( and I have quoted it in some of my articles and lectures) on blind faiths in people of USA. about 30 to 50 percent of them belive in existence   of ghosts, communication with dead etc. We may be about same or marginally better in such aspects. I had most of the West and not just USA in my mind when I made that statement, under discussion.
The measurment of scientific temper is a complex process, and its conclusions and premises therefore need to be clearly delineated for better understanding. Since Dr Gauhar an authority on the subject, has stated that we Indians are not as bad as Americans, (and I may add that I was aware of the same,)  I agree with him. I am reasonably sure that we Indians are better grounded to understand science as we have better traditions and few opponents of science in India, but our total scientific literate number is low.

The rest of the public in US who is not as superstitious as quoted above likes to read SF. The proof for the same is the number of SF magazines and sale of SF books, that number is far larger than it is in India. It is difficult to write an SF story uneless science has been absorbed rather than merely learnt by rote. No one can enjoy an SF story or novel unless he understands or is capable of understanding enough science in it. To me it appears that the percentage of people or number of people who understand science or have desire to understand science and therefore enjoy SF is much larger in the West than in India.
Dr. Nautial has cought the essence of my earlier statement.
VMT

Vishwa Mohan Tiwari

To: indiansciencefiction@...
From: drarvind3@...
Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 19:32:37 +0530
Subject: Re: RE: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

Thanks a lot Gauhar Sahab for participating in the discussion.I have also gone through the posts of other friends,Viz., AVM Tiwari jee,Dr.Nautiyal, Dear Zeashan etc and find that the topic is really very interesting albeit debatable one.
For the sake of clarification I must submit that the said views as referred by Gauhar Sahab were originally not mine but of Tiwaree ji and since I foundthe things agreeable in the context they were quoted I formally endorsed the same.But as the debate is now gearing up I may take the things a bit more cautiously.
Dr.Nautiyal[CMN] has just raised some very pertinent points following the post of Gauhar Sahab[GS] and I tend to agree to most of them.
But I still maintain that India has also its own lot of irrational,superstitious people where traditions of SATI ,Ghotul ,female foeticide and many more obnoxious ones are still practiced in shameless and blatant manner.
Is it comparable to any of such barbaric act anywhere in the World of today?
WE HAVE TO DO A LOT OF INTROSPECTION and see where we really stand today in the world perspective if all the things/indicators[what GS is up about] taken together/in totality.
Its not mere boasting about our 'glorified' things always- a fruitless practice which shall lead us nowhere instead we should be brave enough to accept our follies as well and then only may be some day we could convincingly boast of the 'The wonder that was India '
Trust its just enough for now and over to you friends !Who is up there to take up the command ?
thanks and regards,
arvind

On 08/01/2008, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

I tend to agree with you in that the people in the West are also quite unscientific. I am not aware of any comparative study but I have seen results of a survey conducted in USA where surprisingly a large number of people didn't have a clear thought about issues like whether earth move round the Sun or otherwise. There have been court cases in USA aginst teaching evolution- theory (they said creationist theory should be taught too). But if we didn't face this in India may have to do less with scientific attitude and more with the social habits.

I have observed highly dogmatic attitude among those considered educated, also with formal education in science. Being scientific (in attitude) and being science literate are not necessarily the same, we know.

Degrees may vary but most of us are mix of the two in that we may have knowledge in science but, in varying degrees, have faiths or practices (which go beyond the social ones observed during marriage or such occasions) which we not be able to establish as being scientific. As we don't understand the nature, human body etc. fully, we so often go by the traditions be it about food or daily chores. Seldom do we give a concious thought to most of them. We don't always calculate the probability of risk of being hit by a car while crossing road, or smoke knowing very well that it may be a health hazard or use hair- dye which may contain mercury!

But what Tiwari's jee's contention may have been is that the general science level in developed countries may be higher, acceptability of Sci- fi is higher and I tend to agree with that. May be science or probably technology (we are less tech- savy) has to be diluted a little bit more for the Indian audience in general.

CMN

gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Arvind,

may i disagree with you on the question of lack of scietific temper among the masses in india. all the survey reprots show that indian population is as 'scientificaly literate or illiterate' as is the level of population in the west. over a period of 20 year the PUS for sure in india has increased. we, with pride, could report this trend despite all efforts madeto the contrary, by media and certain political formations.

the term 'scientificaly literate or illiterate' is in inverted commas because i do not believe that there is somthing called 'scientific literacy' it is a wrong term. but we could debate on the terms at some other time. the point that i want to make is that people of india are not 'sceitifically' as 'illiterate' as we some times think, believe or state.

with respect

gauhar

----- Original Message ----
From: Arvind Mishra <dr_arvind3@rediffmail.com>
To: indiansciencefiction@yahoogroups.co.in
Sent: Saturday, January 5, 2008 4:26:15 PM
Subject: Re: RE: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

I endorse your views Tiwaree jee especially the following one ,
"Firstly the understanding of science and existence of scientific temper in India is at a much lower level than in the West. Literacy itself is very low, and then science literacy is even lower. Secondly, publishers in India do not take risks associated with their job"
arvind
On Sat, 05 Jan 2008 Vishwa Mohan Tiwari wrote :
>
>Friends,
>I am back and have enjoyed going through posts on Ancient SF literature, and resurgence in sf today.
>Now what i add may not look as fresh as it would have looked then.
>
>Thank you Gene for bringing to light the contribution of Bhaarateeya story 'form' including that of SF. The convultion that the translations have followed from Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit to Europeans language is amazing, and it sheds light on the compulsion that it generated in the minds of translators who translated it despite its difficulties, both in uderstanding and availability.
>
>The period of the creation of the epic Mahaabhaarat is under controversy, most likely because of various biases.
>However can Mahaabhaarat be confered the honour of being the first 'novel', though in poetry format?
>It certainly has all the components of a novel, indeed an epic is greater than a novel, but all epics need not be novels.
>
>SF is becoming more popular, but not enough to please us. It cannot surge upwards faster for many reasons. Firstly the understanding of science and existence of scientfic temper in India is at a much lower level than in the West. Literacy itself is very low, and then science literacy is even lower. Secondly, publishers in India do not take risks assocoated with their job. Thirdly, TV is eating away the spare time of anybody who can manage to get close to a TV. Fourthly, Indian literature itself is fighting to survive among the common man, and for a reason I fail to understand, it is narrowly selfcentered, it ignores, if not dislikes, sf. How many of our literateurs know and understand science ! And there are many sf writers who lack proper understanding of science.
>
>The Vaalmeekies, Vyaases etc wrote SF but without giving or having a scientific base, but they wrote SF, which became popular. Do we need to learn from them and adopt their technique for todays environment?
>
>VMT
>
>
>Vishwa Mohan Tiwari
>
>
>To: indiansciencefiction@yahoogroups.co.inFrom: cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.ukDate: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 11:52:17 +0000Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
>
>
>
>
>
>Thanks Arvind jee.
>
>I thought that it's the Indian Science Fiction Writers Asso. that organises the conference regularly so didn't mention it separately. Please correct me if it's a wrong notion.
>
>You are right. The pure sci-fi is not so common but certainly more than before.
>
>I also want to add publication of books/ compilations of sci- fi and sci-fa.
>
>CMNArvind Mishra < arvind_drmishra@yahoo.co.in> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Thanks Dr. Nautiyal, I have some observations ,please check If I am wrong.
>What you really mean is perhaps resurgence of sf or sf/f and not the sci-fi because the term sci-fi is usually referred by Hollywood Journalists for block buster moovies.But now a days the term too is getting more popular.
>2.Popular Hindi science mag 'Vigyan Pragati' also publishes sf often if not regularly.
>3.You perhaps forgot to underline the contributions of Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association.
>4.Its great contentment personally to me that while some of our Indian friends went away from the forum owing to reasons only they know better,we got the soothing and enlightening company of Indian sf lovers even from abroad like revered Mr. Gene Van Troyer from Japan, Mr.Michael Iwoleit from Germany and Mr.Adam John Law and Nathan law from USA.I adore their presence on the forum and trust they are with us in years to come.Their presence on the forum only validates an oft repeated Vadic[Rigveda] saying -'Vasudhev Kutumbakam]- that is the whole world should be like a family.We represent now an sf world family indeed.And I am proud of my extended family.
>But it all got accomplished due to the great friends like you who were there in all time when I needed someone to be with me to keep the sf flag erect and high.
>I am stopping here before I get more maudlin and senti...
>Thanks to all ...A very happy and prosperous 2008 !arvind mishra--- On Wed, 2/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL < cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL < cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk>Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?To: indiansciencefiction@yahoogroups.co.inDate: Wednesday, 2 January, 2008, 6:57 PM
>
>
>
>Sure. Bu there is an upward thrust.
>
>What I am looking for is more arguments to support my statment.
>
>CMNArvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yes you are quite right Dr. Nautiyal, advancement is really there but remember we still have a long way to go.arvind mishra--- On Tue, 1/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>Subject: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.inDate: Tuesday, 1 January, 2008, 7:03 PM
>
>
>
>I want to state
>
>"Of late, there has been a resurgence of science fiction in India." I advance the following facts to support it:
>
>1. There is now an exclusively quarterly sci-fi magazine in Hindi being published, started about 6 years ago (Vigyan katha)
>2. The most popular Indian science magazine Science reporter has started publishing sci-fi regularly
>3. A forum by name Indiansciencefictio n has been started
>4. A national convention on science fiction has become a regular feature for the past few years
>4. Movies like ... have a little semblence of sci- fi.
>
>Would you like to add something friends?
>
>CMN
>
>
>Why delete messages? Unlimited storage is just a click away.
>
>
>Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.
>
>
>Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live.
> http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_012008

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#1152

From: "arvind mishra" <drarvind3@...>
Date:: Tue Jan 8, 2008 2:11 pm
Subject:: Re: Re: anouncement!

drarvind3@...

Thanks Manish for approving my stand and please keep it up !
best,

On 08/01/2008, Manish Mohan Gore <gore_rm@... > wrote:

Dear friends,

I came to know the meet going to organise by NISTAD in coming March.

This is one of the most relevant subjects of discussion which is currently on the floor of Science Communication. It is the need of the hour.

I appreciate this one and hope the interested people of India & abroad will certainly participate & make sure its bright future.

sincerely,

MANISH MOHAN GORE

--- On Mon, 7/1/08, Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:

From: Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@... >
Subject: [indiansciencefiction] Re: anouncement!
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Date: Monday, 7 January, 2008, 9:05 PM

Dear Friends,
Kindly go through the following announcement again if you have not attended to it earlier and please contact Dr.Gauhar Raza for any queries .
Regards,
arvind

arvind mishra

--- On Mon, 7/1/08, gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@ yahoo.com> wrote:

From: gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@ yahoo.com>
Subject: anouncement
To: "Arvind Mishra" <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in>
Date: Monday, 7 January, 2008, 1:05 PM

Dear Arvind,

will you please circulate it among the group members.

gauhar

Dear Friends,

NISTADS is organizing an meet on 'Mapping the Scientific Consciousness: National and International efforts' on 7th and 8th March 2008 in Delhi. Those who have worked on developing indicators of Public Understanding of science or have administered surveys and are interested in attending the meet may contact Gauhar Raza, Convener Organizing Committee ( gauhar_raza@ yahoo.cpm or gauharindiameet@ yahoo.com). A background note is attached with this letter.

Attachment

Mapping the Scientific Consciousness: National and Global Efforts

An International Meet

At the behest of Royal Society, London, a two-day workshop on International Indicators of Science and the Public was held on 5^th and 6^th of November 2007. The objectives of the workshop were to take stock of longitudinal data sources of indicators of public engagement with science in its widest meaning, including literacy, attitudes, interest, perceptions, mobilisation and other engagement indicators. For this, survey as well as other data streams was included in discussions. The workshop also focused on the evidence of change in public engagement with science, which these indicators allow to map. The experts pondered upon the strength and weaknesses of existing sets of indicators to serve as 'cultural indicators' in global comparison efforts. A few entirely new concepts and avenues for the construction of such indicators, including alternative data streams were also discussed.

As a result of two days of intense deliberations on the one hand, new insights were gained and on the other, a number of new issues, which require further probing came to limelight. During the course of discussion explicitly or implicitly the discussion hovered around the question 'what is the phenomenon which we are trying to study? The hazy mist associated with most social phenomenon was quite apparent here as well. It was suggested that the debate on Public Understanding of Science is about the 'great societal conversation on science'. The evidence presented during the workshop showed that this societal conversation is quite intense, covers various topics, engages a wide segment of population, and is more or less focused by controversies. It is also influenced by the wider cultural context, the language, the political culture, the local history of science and the present level of technological development.

Within this process, we might recognise that nationally representative survey are a highly development technique of observation, but ultimately not sufficient to map societal conversations . Complementary data streams are needed to understand the symbolic environment of a typical survey respondent. After all, survey respondent will answer the questions on the basis of internal (cognitive and emotional) and external resources (the semiotic environment) . Questionnaires return standard answers, but do not tell us how to interpret them in different contexts.

Proposed Meet

From the need to contextualise survey research arises the double agenda of the present meeting, where we made headway pointing to step-changes in future research.

How to improve survey research, the subjective indicators of science?

Why and how to mobilise complementary data streams?

A fundamental tension underlies all the discussions, which at times can lead to misunderstandings. If this duality is seen within the practical strategy of developing a ' campaign guidance system', then the complementary data are sources and channels of information that influence the target population. Alternatively, if this duality is part of a comparison of scientific cultures, then it refers to two different modalities of representing science, namely informal or in formal communication structures. The one is not driving the other like a 'gun shot on target', but these two modes enjoy relative autonomy and constitute co-evolving processes like written and spoken languages. The formal structure constitutes the rock bed which shapes the cognitive structures, scientific or otherwise, of a society and the informal continually influences these structures and affixes the new discoveries, scientific information and data that flows in as a result of current activities of scientist community.

This issue seems fundamental and an open one, it might not be a matter to resolve. These two fundamental frameworks of engaging this field of research, campaign mode or comparison of culture, it will continue to preoccupy activists and researchers more or less explicitly.

Opportunity

The workshop organised by the Royal Society, has thrown up an opportunity. The number of experts who participated, the intense discussion that took place and the issues, which were pondered upon, assure us that this research area has matured. It not only forms confluence of many traditional areas such as sociology, statistics, education political science, communication, management, linguistics, economics and cultural studies but also give new insights which would contribute to the national development and global understanding. It should be mentioned that experts from China, Korea, Brazil, South Africa and India were present in the two-day meet but there was no representation of South-East-Asian countries or Middle Eastern countries. There is a need to integrate culturally rich and diverse countries in the debate. During the proposed meeting an effort would be made to identify experts and potential research partners from as many culturally divers countries as possible.

Objectives

The proposed meeting is aimed to address the question of cross-national and longitudinal PUS research among a small group of international experts. The international meeting would also aim at inviting the new comers and potential researchers thereby explore the possibility of nucleating new groups in India and in countries where PUS research is in nascent stages. This meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange the experiences between the developing and the developed world, where experts are working in this field for many years. It will also provide an opportunity to young and in-coming who will bring their fresh perspective and experience from other fields of research with similar concerns.

The meeting is conceived, planned and organised under the scientific direction of Gauhar Raza (NISTADS) and Dr Rajesh Shukla (NCAER) with following objectives;

Determining the core set of survey items to monitor public understanding of science: towards a formal agreement globally

Modelling and multivariate analysis of PUS data and statistical validation of results

Defining a procedural manual for comparative data collection on PUS

Review the evidence of time-series analysis

Reviewing national systems of complementary data streams: e.g. continuous media monitoring and systems of automatic discourse mapping

Developing a score board of PUS activities and levels of input

Tentative Proposed Sessions

Inaugural

Revisiting Indicators

Models of Analysis

Methodologies of Data Collection and Database Creation

Statistical Tools for PUS research

Perspectives of Culturally Diverse Countries

Media Research and PUS

Science Education and Cognitive Structures

The suggested sessions are tentative and would be finalised after receiving the commitment of presentation from the experts.

Structure of the meeting

Each 2-hour session would be equally divided into, two one hour segments, presentations by the expert and discussion by the group.

Participation of Experts

About thirty internationally renowned experts would be invited for the meet. These experts would be asked to send their papers/presentation s in advance. We expect that 15-20 would agree to come and participate in the meet on the 13 ^th and 14^th March 2008. There by every expert would get about 20 to 30 minutes for the presentation.

Participation of Researchers from Culturally Diverse Countries

About ten potential researchers form Indian sub-continent, South East Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa would also be invited. Since we do not want to dilute the intensity of the debate these invitees would not be asked to present papers fresh but would be asked develop critique of papers submitted by the experts from their national point of view. They would be asked to participate in the discussion.

Participation of Researchers from Indian Institutions

Fifteen to twenty young faculty members from various Indian Universities and Communication Institute would be identified and invited to the meet. These researchers would be carefully selected on the basis of their inclination towards initiating PUS research in their respective departments. Once selected they would be articles submitted by the experts would be circulated among them. The young Indian researchers would be asked to select one international expert and interact with him or her intensely. Each of them would come prepared to discuss and ask questions about the indicators, methodology, conceptual model, statistical techniques and inferences drawn by the expert. One session of the proposed meeting would be devoted to the discussion between potential researchers and the experts.

Dates For The Meet

7^th and 8^th March 2008

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#1151

From: "arvind mishra" <drarvind3@...>
Date:: Tue Jan 8, 2008 2:08 pm
Subject:: Re: Seminar on Science Communication through Creative Genres, Dehradun, India, February 20-23, 2008

drarvind3@...

Yes Manish I quite agree with you and trust we all take this opportunity/challenge in an unanimous way and to something really concrete for the betterment of the genre.
thanks n best,
arvind

On 08/01/2008, Manish Mohan Gore <gore_rm@...> wrote:

Dear friend ,

This is a great opprtunity for us to repreent ourselves in NCSTC & STAD joint initiative at Dehradun in 20-23 Feb 2008. I mean to say The efforts we are making in SF through individual level or through this SF yahoo assembly, we may projct emphatically in this programme because there is a seprate & special section for SF as well. We must avail this opprtunity. I hope the yahoo SF members will convince to my stands raised here.

I hope a reply/suggestions/views from the forum members.
Your sincerely,

MANISH MOHAN GORE

--- On Mon, 7/1/08, zeashan zaidi <zeashanzaidi@...> wrote:

From: zeashan zaidi <zeashanzaidi@... >
Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Seminar on Science Communication through Creative Genres, Dehradun, India, February 20-23, 2008
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Date: Monday, 7 January, 2008, 10:12 PM

Once again NCST is taking a good initiative to promote Science Fiction in India for extending science literacy among common Indian People. Indeed fiction is the best method for promoting science. This fact had already realized in developed countries and is now coming under consideration in our country. For this, the good efforts of some of our well known scientists canâ€™t be neglected. Especially we must be thankful to Dr. Manoj Patairiya, Mr. Ramesh Panwar and all the team of NCST for arranging such valuable seminar.

regards

Zeashan Zaidi

Manoj Patairiya <manojpatairiya@ yahoo.com> wrote:

National Council for Science and Technology
Communication (NCSTC/DST)
Science Technology and Development Initiative (STAD)
Announce
National Seminar on Science Communication through
Creative Genres
Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun ? 248001
(Uttarakhand) ; February 20-23, 2008

Generally, science is considered to be dry, boring,
hard, and difficult to understand for a common man and
if science is to be communicated universally down to
masses, we need to present science in an interesting,
simple, lucid, and in a form comprehensible to the
common man. This also means that while doing so, we
need to defy existing tenets of medium, language,
presentation, literacy, understanding and so on; and
there we may need to come to the fold of creative
genres. By and large we have been writing only dry
articles and essays, delivering jargonized talks and
presenting text bookish contents in mass media in the
name of science communication and popularization. It
is not entirely above that is the motivation to go for
a science communication with creative writing, but
more importantly, creating creative pieces of science
writing or in general, creating something through
creative genres is entirely a soul searching
experience for the creator and enjoyable learning for
the target population. But, the issues are above the
delight of creation and the pleasure of appreciating
and comprehending it. Experts emphasise time and again
that creative genres have a great role in speedy
spread of scientific and technological awareness in
the society. Much needs to be done in order to find
confluence of creative genres with communication of
science and technology. We all know the tremendous
popularity of one of the creative genres ?science
fiction? has achieved and also about the remarkable
impact through it in popularising science. Similarly,
?science poems? related to weather and agricultural
practices in our folk literature remained an authentic
source of knowledge based on observational processes.
This fact points towards the sheer encouragement one
can draw from exploring the role creative genres have
in the subject under discussion and emphasising upon
the need to probe deeper as to promote the movement of
endorsing creative genres for science communication
the modern world. This seminar provides ambience and
liberty to deliberate everything connected with the
subject. In order to seek greater involvement of our
science communicators in these genres, there is need
to identify the indicators for adjudging the
effectiveness of creative genres while dealing with an
issue pertaining to science and technology. It has
also been thought necessary at the seminar that
various sub genres under the creative forms be
discussed threadbare vis-à¶is science communication.

Another area of discussion would be the relation of
the medium and the genre or sub genre of creative
form. There may also be some not yet identified trends
in these issues and it may also be given space during
the course of discussion.

Technical Sessions/ Sub Themes : There will be 5
technical sessions/ sub themes:

i) Fiction as a form of science communication : This
session presents studies on various aspects of science
fiction, story telling, science fantasy and its impact
with regard to science communication.
ii) Poetic expressions as a form of science
communication : This session discusses various forms
of poetry and its application in science
communication, i.e. proverbs by Ghagh Bhaddari, etc.
iii) Creative genres and performing arts : This
session examines the role of folk arts and forms in
presenting science to the public including its
relevance and impact in today?s world.
iv) Creative writing for audio-visual- digital media :
This session emphasises on various formats and styles
of presenting science contents and concepts through
these media.
v) Creative genres and issues of literacy and medium :
This session focuses on literacy requirement and
medium interrelation for effective S&T communication.

Seminar Format : The technical sessions will have
presentation of contributory research papers, review
papers, survey analyses, case studies, and invited
talks. That apart, there would be a Poster Session on
the theme and sub-themes specified above. Discussions
in different split groups would also form part of the
programme. Deliberations will be in Hindi with some
exceptions in English. A sub theme cannot be the title
of your paper/ presentation; select a narrower topic
under a sub theme. Papers may be prepared in standard
research paper format, i.e. title of the paper,
name(s) and address of author(s), abstract, key words,
introduction, objectives, methodology, observations,
discussion/ analysis, inferences/ conclusions/
recommendations, and references, along with
illustrations/ graphics/ photos including captions.

Who can participate : The seminar is likely to be of
interest to those who have anything to do with
science, communication and science communication, i.e.
scientists, science communicators, science writers,
journalists, editors, researchers and faculty members
of university departments of journalism, public
relations and information officers of scientific
organizations, representatives of media houses,
newspapers, magazines, science cells of radio/ TV
channels and voluntary organizations active in this
area.

Registration/ Submission of Paper/ Abstract : Deadline
February 11, 2008. No registration fee. Only selected
delegates would be invited for presentation/
participation.

Travel Fellowship : There is some provision of travel
support for selected/ invited delegates from India on
request. International delegates will make their own
travel arrangements; the organizers could offer free
stay and meals. Best paper/ presentation awards would
be given in junior and senior categories based on
independent evaluation.

How to Reach Dehradun : Dehradun is one of the
important tourist destinations in North India at the
foothills of Himalayas, connected directly by super
fast trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi,
Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Dehradun has its own airport
and Deccan Air operates its flights from Delhi 5 days
a week. It would be full winter here with a minimum
temperature about 7 0 Celsius, hence sufficient
woolens are recommended.

Exhibition of Popular Science Publications : An
Exhibition of Popular Science Publications and
Software Materials is also being organized at the
venue; please bring/ send your publications, articles,
books, magazines, kits, CDs and software materials for
display.

Addresses for communication :

Mr. Ramesh Panwar
Secretariat, Seminar 2007-08
Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun?248001
(Uttarakhand) , India
Phone : +91-11-26863811; +91-135-2749990;
+91-9313899865 (Mobile)
Email : ldkala@yahoo. com; seminarstad@ yahoo.com

Dr. Manoj Patairiya
Convener, Seminar 2007-08
National Council for Science & Technology
Communication, Dept. of Science & Technology
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi ?
110016 (India)
Phone : +91-11-26537976, 26590238 ; Fax : 26866675
Email : mkp@...; manojpatairiya@ yahoo.com; Website
: www.vichar.nic. in; www.dst.gov. in

INDICATIVE PROGRAMME

FEBRUARY 20

12:00 ? 01:00 PM PRESS CONFERENCE
02:30 ? 06:00 PM ARRIVAL OF DELEGATES/ REGISTRATION/
TEA/ COFFEE
07:00 ? 10:00 PM RECEPTION/ EVENING TALK/ NETWORKING/
DINNER

FEBRUARY 21

09:00 - 10:00 AM INTERACTION/ TEA/ COFFEE

10:00 - 11:30 AM INAUGURAL FUNCTION
11:30 - 12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE

12:00 - 01:30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION I
01:30 - 02:30 PM LUNCH

02:30 - 04:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION II
04:00 ?04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

04:30 ? 06:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION III
06:00 - 06:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

07:00 - 10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CULTURAL PROGRAMME/
DINNER

FEBRUARY 22

09:00 - 10:00 AM POSTER SESSION

10:00 ? 11:30 AM TECHNICAL SESSION IV
11:30 ? 12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE

12:00 ? 01.30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION V
01:30 ? 02.30 PM LUNCH

02:30 ? 04:00 PM BRAINSTORMING SESSION
04:00 ? 04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE/ END OF PROGRAMME

04:30 ? 06:00 PM VALEDICTORY FUNCTION
06:00 - 06:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

07:00 - 10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CONFERENCE DINNER

FEBRUARY 23

FIELD VISIT/ END OF PROGRAMME

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo. com/r/hs

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

Get the freedom to save as many mails as you wish. Click here to know how.

--
arvind

#1150

From: "arvind mishra" <drarvind3@...>
Date:: Tue Jan 8, 2008 2:02 pm
Subject:: Re: RE: Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

drarvind3@...

Thanks a lot Gauhar Sahab for participating in the discussion.I have also gone through the posts of other friends,Viz., AVM Tiwari jee,Dr.Nautiyal, Dear Zeashan etc and find that the topic is really very interesting albeit debatable one.
For the sake of clarification I must submit that the said views as referred by Gauhar Sahab were originally not mine but of Tiwaree ji and since I foundthe things agreeable in the context they were quoted I formally endorsed the same.But as the debate is now gearing up I may take the things a bit more cautiously.
Dr.Nautiyal[CMN] has just raised some very pertinent points following the post of Gauhar Sahab[GS] and I tend to agree to most of them.
But I still maintain that India has also its own lot of irrational,superstitious people where traditions of SATI ,Ghotul ,female foeticide and many more obnoxious ones are still practiced in shameless and blatant manner.
Is it comparable to any of such barbaric act anywhere in the World of today?
WE HAVE TO DO A LOT OF INTROSPECTION and see where we really stand today in the world perspective if all the things/indicators[what GS is up about] taken together/in totality.
Its not mere boasting about our 'glorified' things always- a fruitless practice which shall lead us nowhere instead we should be brave enough to accept our follies as well and then only may be some day we could convincingly boast of the 'The wonder that was India '
Trust its just enough for now and over to you friends !Who is up there to take up the command ?
thanks and regards,
arvind

On 08/01/2008, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...> wrote:

I tend to agree with you in that the people in the West are also quite unscientific. I am not aware of any comparative study but I have seen results of a survey conducted in USA where surprisingly a large number of people didn't have a clear thought about issues like whether earth move round the Sun or otherwise. There have been court cases in USA aginst teaching evolution- theory (they said creationist theory should be taught too). But if we didn't face this in India may have to do less with scientific attitude and more with the social habits.

I have observed highly dogmatic attitude among those considered educated, also with formal education in science. Being scientific (in attitude) and being science literate are not necessarily the same, we know.

Degrees may vary but most of us are mix of the two in that we may have knowledge in science but, in varying degrees, have faiths or practices (which go beyond the social ones observed during marriage or such occasions) which we not be able to establish as being scientific. As we don't understand the nature, human body etc. fully, we so often go by the traditions be it about food or daily chores. Seldom do we give a concious thought to most of them. We don't always calculate the probability of risk of being hit by a car while crossing road, or smoke knowing very well that it may be a health hazard or use hair- dye which may contain mercury!

But what Tiwari's jee's contention may have been is that the general science level in developed countries may be higher, acceptability of Sci- fi is higher and I tend to agree with that. May be science or probably technology (we are less tech- savy) has to be diluted a little bit more for the Indian audience in general.

CMN

gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@...> wrote:

Dear Arvind,

may i disagree with you on the question of lack of scietific temper among the masses in india. all the survey reprots show that indian population is as 'scientificaly literate or illiterate' as is the level of population in the west. over a period of 20 year the PUS for sure in india has increased. we, with pride, could report this trend despite all efforts madeto the contrary, by media and certain political formations.

the term 'scientificaly literate or illiterate' is in inverted commas because i do not believe that there is somthing called 'scientific literacy' it is a wrong term. but we could debate on the terms at some other time. the point that i want to make is that people of india are not 'sceitifically' as 'illiterate' as we some times think, believe or state.

with respect

gauhar

----- Original Message ----
From: Arvind Mishra <dr_arvind3@...>
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Sent: Saturday, January 5, 2008 4:26:15 PM
Subject: Re: RE: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

I endorse your views Tiwaree jee especially the following one ,
"Firstly the understanding of science and existence of scientific temper in India is at a much lower level than in the West. Literacy itself is very low, and then science literacy is even lower. Secondly, publishers in India do not take risks associated with their job"
arvind
On Sat, 05 Jan 2008 Vishwa Mohan Tiwari wrote :
>
>Friends,
>I am back and have enjoyed going through posts on Ancient SF literature, and resurgence in sf today.
>Now what i add may not look as fresh as it would have looked then.
>
>Thank you Gene for bringing to light the contribution of Bhaarateeya story 'form' including that of SF. The convultion that the translations have followed from Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit to Europeans language is amazing, and it sheds light on the compulsion that it generated in the minds of translators who translated it despite its difficulties, both in uderstanding and availability.
>
>The period of the creation of the epic Mahaabhaarat is under controversy, most likely because of various biases.
>However can Mahaabhaarat be confered the honour of being the first 'novel', though in poetry format?
>It certainly has all the components of a novel, indeed an epic is greater than a novel, but all epics need not be novels.
>
>SF is becoming more popular, but not enough to please us. It cannot surge upwards faster for many reasons. Firstly the understanding of science and existence of scientfic temper in India is at a much lower level than in the West. Literacy itself is very low, and then science literacy is even lower. Secondly, publishers in India do not take risks assocoated with their job. Thirdly, TV is eating away the spare time of anybody who can manage to get close to a TV. Fourthly, Indian literature itself is fighting to survive among the common man, and for a reason I fail to understand, it is narrowly selfcentered, it ignores, if not dislikes, sf. How many of our literateurs know and understand science ! And there are many sf writers who lack proper understanding of science.
>
>The Vaalmeekies, Vyaases etc wrote SF but without giving or having a scientific base, but they wrote SF, which became popular. Do we need to learn from them and adopt their technique for todays environment?
>
>VMT
>
>
>Vishwa Mohan Tiwari
>
>
>To: indiansciencefiction@...: cmnautiyal@...: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 11:52:17 +0000Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
>
>
>
>
>
>Thanks Arvind jee.
>
>I thought that it's the Indian Science Fiction Writers Asso. that organises the conference regularly so didn't mention it separately. Please correct me if it's a wrong notion.
>
>You are right. The pure sci-fi is not so common but certainly more than before.
>
>I also want to add publication of books/ compilations of sci- fi and sci-fa.
>
>CMNArvind Mishra < arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Thanks Dr. Nautiyal, I have some observations ,please check If I am wrong.
>What you really mean is perhaps resurgence of sf or sf/f and not the sci-fi because the term sci-fi is usually referred by Hollywood Journalists for block buster moovies.But now a days the term too is getting more popular.
>2.Popular Hindi science mag 'Vigyan Pragati' also publishes sf often if not regularly.
>3.You perhaps forgot to underline the contributions of Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association.
>4.Its great contentment personally to me that while some of our Indian friends went away from the forum owing to reasons only they know better,we got the soothing and enlightening company of Indian sf lovers even from abroad like revered Mr. Gene Van Troyer from Japan, Mr.Michael Iwoleit from Germany and Mr.Adam John Law and Nathan law from USA.I adore their presence on the forum and trust they are with us in years to come.Their presence on the forum only validates an oft repeated Vadic[Rigveda] saying -'Vasudhev Kutumbakam]- that is the whole world should be like a family.We represent now an sf world family indeed.And I am proud of my extended family.
>But it all got accomplished due to the great friends like you who were there in all time when I needed someone to be with me to keep the sf flag erect and high.
>I am stopping here before I get more maudlin and senti...
>Thanks to all ...A very happy and prosperous 2008 !arvind mishra--- On Wed, 2/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL < cmnautiyal@...> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL < cmnautiyal@...>Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?To: indiansciencefiction@...: Wednesday, 2 January, 2008, 6:57 PM
>
>
>
>Sure. Bu there is an upward thrust.
>
>What I am looking for is more arguments to support my statment.
>
>CMNArvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yes you are quite right Dr. Nautiyal, advancement is really there but remember we still have a long way to go.arvind mishra--- On Tue, 1/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>Subject: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.inDate: Tuesday, 1 January, 2008, 7:03 PM
>
>
>
>I want to state
>
>"Of late, there has been a resurgence of science fiction in India." I advance the following facts to support it:
>
>1. There is now an exclusively quarterly sci-fi magazine in Hindi being published, started about 6 years ago (Vigyan katha)
>2. The most popular Indian science magazine Science reporter has started publishing sci-fi regularly
>3. A forum by name Indiansciencefictio n has been started
>4. A national convention on science fiction has become a regular feature for the past few years
>4. Movies like ... have a little semblence of sci- fi.
>
>Would you like to add something friends?
>
>CMN
>
>
>Why delete messages? Unlimited storage is just a click away.
>
>
>Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.
>
>
>Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live.
> http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_012008

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

Now you can chat without downloading messenger. Click here to know how.

--
arvind

#1149

From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...>
Date:: Tue Jan 8, 2008 9:24 am
Subject:: Re: RE: Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

cmnautiyal

Offline

I tend to agree with you in that the people in the West are also quite unscientific. I am not aware of any comparative study but I have seen results of a survey conducted in USA where surprisingly a large number of people didn't have a clear thought about issues like whether earth move round the Sun or otherwise. There have been court cases in USA aginst teaching evolution- theory (they said creationist theory should be taught too). But if we didn't face this in India may have to do less with scientific attitude and more with the social habits.

I have observed highly dogmatic attitude among those considered educated, also with formal education in science. Being scientific (in attitude) and being science literate are not necessarily the same, we know.

Degrees may vary but most of us are mix of the two in that we may have knowledge in science but, in varying degrees, have faiths or practices (which go beyond the social ones observed during marriage or such occasions) which we not be able to establish as being scientific. As we don't understand the nature, human body etc. fully, we so often go by the traditions be it about food or daily chores. Seldom do we give a concious thought to most of them. We don't always calculate the probability of risk of being hit by a car while crossing road, or smoke knowing very well that it may be a health hazard or use hair- dye which may contain mercury!

But what Tiwari's jee's contention may have been is that the general science level in developed countries may be higher, acceptability of Sci- fi is higher and I tend to agree with that. May be science or probably technology (we are less tech- savy) has to be diluted a little bit more for the Indian audience in general.

CMN

gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@...> wrote:

Dear Arvind,

may i disagree with you on the question of lack of scietific temper among the masses in india. all the survey reprots show that indian population is as 'scientificaly literate or illiterate' as is the level of population in the west. over a period of 20 year the PUS for sure in india has increased. we, with pride, could report this trend despite all efforts madeto the contrary, by media and certain political formations.

the term 'scientificaly literate or illiterate' is in inverted commas because i do not believe that there is somthing called 'scientific literacy' it is a wrong term. but we could debate on the terms at some other time. the point that i want to make is that people of india are not 'sceitifically' as 'illiterate' as we some times think, believe or state.

with respect

gauhar

----- Original Message ----
From: Arvind Mishra <dr_arvind3@rediffmail.com>
To: indiansciencefiction@yahoogroups.co.in
Sent: Saturday, January 5, 2008 4:26:15 PM
Subject: Re: RE: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

I endorse your views Tiwaree jee especially the following one ,
"Firstly the understanding of science and existence of scientific temper in India is at a much lower level than in the West. Literacy itself is very low, and then science literacy is even lower. Secondly, publishers in India do not take risks associated with their job"
arvind
On Sat, 05 Jan 2008 Vishwa Mohan Tiwari wrote :
>
>Friends,
>I am back and have enjoyed going through posts on Ancient SF literature, and resurgence in sf today.
>Now what i add may not look as fresh as it would have looked then.
>
>Thank you Gene for bringing to light the contribution of Bhaarateeya story 'form' including that of SF. The convultion that the translations have followed from Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit to Europeans language is amazing, and it sheds light on the compulsion that it generated in the minds of translators who translated it despite its difficulties, both in uderstanding and availability.
>
>The period of the creation of the epic Mahaabhaarat is under controversy, most likely because of various biases.
>However can Mahaabhaarat be confered the honour of being the first 'novel', though in poetry format?
>It certainly has all the components of a novel, indeed an epic is greater than a novel, but all epics need not be novels.
>
>SF is becoming more popular, but not enough to please us. It cannot surge upwards faster for many reasons. Firstly the understanding of science and existence of scientfic temper in India is at a much lower level than in the West. Literacy itself is very low, and then science literacy is even lower. Secondly, publishers in India do not take risks assocoated with their job. Thirdly, TV is eating away the spare time of anybody who can manage to get close to a TV. Fourthly, Indian literature itself is fighting to survive among the common man, and for a reason I fail to understand, it is narrowly selfcentered, it ignores, if not dislikes, sf. How many of our literateurs know and understand science ! And there are many sf writers who lack proper understanding of science.
>
>The Vaalmeekies, Vyaases etc wrote SF but without giving or having a scientific base, but they wrote SF, which became popular. Do we need to learn from them and adopt their technique for todays environment?
>
>VMT
>
>
>Vishwa Mohan Tiwari
>
>
>To: indiansciencefiction@yahoogroups.co.inFrom: cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.ukDate: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 11:52:17 +0000Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
>
>
>
>
>
>Thanks Arvind jee.
>
>I thought that it's the Indian Science Fiction Writers Asso. that organises the conference regularly so didn't mention it separately. Please correct me if it's a wrong notion.
>
>You are right. The pure sci-fi is not so common but certainly more than before.
>
>I also want to add publication of books/ compilations of sci- fi and sci-fa.
>
>CMNArvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@yahoo.co.in> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Thanks Dr. Nautiyal, I have some observations ,please check If I am wrong.
>What you really mean is perhaps resurgence of sf or sf/f and not the sci-fi because the term sci-fi is usually referred by Hollywood Journalists for block buster moovies.But now a days the term too is getting more popular.
>2.Popular Hindi science mag 'Vigyan Pragati' also publishes sf often if not regularly.
>3.You perhaps forgot to underline the contributions of Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association.
>4.Its great contentment personally to me that while some of our Indian friends went away from the forum owing to reasons only they know better,we got the soothing and enlightening company of Indian sf lovers even from abroad like revered Mr. Gene Van Troyer from Japan, Mr.Michael Iwoleit from Germany and Mr.Adam John Law and Nathan law from USA.I adore their presence on the forum and trust they are with us in years to come.Their presence on the forum only validates an oft repeated Vadic[Rigveda] saying -'Vasudhev Kutumbakam]- that is the whole world should be like a family.We represent now an sf world family indeed.And I am proud of my extended family.
>But it all got accomplished due to the great friends like you who were there in all time when I needed someone to be with me to keep the sf flag erect and high.
>I am stopping here before I get more maudlin and senti...
>Thanks to all ...A very happy and prosperous 2008 !arvind mishra--- On Wed, 2/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo.co.uk>Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?To: indiansciencefiction@yahoogroups.co.inDate: Wednesday, 2 January, 2008, 6:57 PM
>
>
>
>Sure. Bu there is an upward thrust.
>
>What I am looking for is more arguments to support my statment.
>
>CMNArvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yes you are quite right Dr. Nautiyal, advancement is really there but remember we still have a long way to go.arvind mishra--- On Tue, 1/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>Subject: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.inDate: Tuesday, 1 January, 2008, 7:03 PM
>
>
>
>I want to state
>
>"Of late, there has been a resurgence of science fiction in India." I advance the following facts to support it:
>
>1. There is now an exclusively quarterly sci-fi magazine in Hindi being published, started about 6 years ago (Vigyan katha)
>2. The most popular Indian science magazine Science reporter has started publishing sci-fi regularly
>3. A forum by name Indiansciencefictio n has been started
>4. A national convention on science fiction has become a regular feature for the past few years
>4. Movies like ... have a little semblence of sci- fi.
>
>Would you like to add something friends?
>
>CMN
>
>
>Why delete messages? Unlimited storage is just a click away.
>
>
>Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.
>
>
>Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live.
>http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_012008

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

Now you can chat without downloading messenger. Click here to know how.

#1148

From: Manish Mohan Gore <gore_rm@...>
Date:: Tue Jan 8, 2008 8:07 am
Subject:: Re: Seminar on Science Communication through Creative Genres, Dehradun, India, February 20-23, 2008

gore_rm@...

Dear friend ,

This is a great opprtunity for us to repreent ourselves in NCSTC & STAD joint initiative at Dehradun in 20-23 Feb 2008. I mean to say The efforts we are making in SF through individual level or through this SF yahoo assembly, we may projct emphatically in this programme because there is a seprate & special section for SF as well. We must avail this opprtunity. I hope the yahoo SF members will convince to my stands raised here.

I hope a reply/suggestions/views from the forum members.
Your sincerely,

MANISH MOHAN GORE

--- On Mon, 7/1/08, zeashan zaidi <zeashanzaidi@...> wrote:

From: zeashan zaidi <zeashanzaidi@...>
Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Seminar on Science Communication through Creative Genres, Dehradun, India, February 20-23, 2008
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Date: Monday, 7 January, 2008, 10:12 PM

Once again NCST is taking a good initiative to promote Science Fiction in India for extending science literacy among common Indian People. Indeed fiction is the best method for promoting science. This fact had already realized in developed countries and is now coming under consideration in our country. For this, the good efforts of some of our well known scientists canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t be neglected. Especially we must be thankful to Dr. Manoj Patairiya, Mr. Ramesh Panwar and all the team of NCST for arranging such valuable seminar.

regards

Zeashan Zaidi

Manoj Patairiya <manojpatairiya@ yahoo.com> wrote:

National Council for Science and Technology
Communication (NCSTC/DST)
Science Technology and Development Initiative (STAD)
Announce
National Seminar on Science Communication through
Creative Genres
Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun ? 248001
(Uttarakhand) ; February 20-23, 2008

Generally, science is considered to be dry, boring,
hard, and difficult to understand for a common man and
if science is to be communicated universally down to
masses, we need to present science in an interesting,
simple, lucid, and in a form comprehensible to the
common man. This also means that while doing so, we
need to defy existing tenets of medium, language,
presentation, literacy, understanding and so on; and
there we may need to come to the fold of creative
genres. By and large we have been writing only dry
articles and essays, delivering jargonized talks and
presenting text bookish contents in mass media in the
name of science communication and popularization. It
is not entirely above that is the motivation to go for
a science communication with creative writing, but
more importantly, creating creative pieces of science
writing or in general, creating something through
creative genres is entirely a soul searching
experience for the creator and enjoyable learning for
the target population. But, the issues are above the
delight of creation and the pleasure of appreciating
and comprehending it. Experts emphasise time and again
that creative genres have a great role in speedy
spread of scientific and technological awareness in
the society. Much needs to be done in order to find
confluence of creative genres with communication of
science and technology. We all know the tremendous
popularity of one of the creative genres ?science
fiction? has achieved and also about the remarkable
impact through it in popularising science. Similarly,
?science poems? related to weather and agricultural
practices in our folk literature remained an authentic
source of knowledge based on observational processes.
This fact points towards the sheer encouragement one
can draw from exploring the role creative genres have
in the subject under discussion and emphasising upon
the need to probe deeper as to promote the movement of
endorsing creative genres for science communication
the modern world. This seminar provides ambience and
liberty to deliberate everything connected with the
subject. In order to seek greater involvement of our
science communicators in these genres, there is need
to identify the indicators for adjudging the
effectiveness of creative genres while dealing with an
issue pertaining to science and technology. It has
also been thought necessary at the seminar that
various sub genres under the creative forms be
discussed threadbare vis-Ã Â¶is science communication.
Another area of discussion would be the relation of
the medium and the genre or sub genre of creative
form. There may also be some not yet identified trends
in these issues and it may also be given space during
the course of discussion.

Technical Sessions/ Sub Themes : There will be 5
technical sessions/ sub themes:

i) Fiction as a form of science communication : This
session presents studies on various aspects of science
fiction, story telling, science fantasy and its impact
with regard to science communication.
ii) Poetic expressions as a form of science
communication : This session discusses various forms
of poetry and its application in science
communication, i.e. proverbs by Ghagh Bhaddari, etc.
iii) Creative genres and performing arts : This
session examines the role of folk arts and forms in
presenting science to the public including its
relevance and impact in today?s world.
iv) Creative writing for audio-visual- digital media :
This session emphasises on various formats and styles
of presenting science contents and concepts through
these media.
v) Creative genres and issues of literacy and medium :
This session focuses on literacy requirement and
medium interrelation for effective S&T communication.

Seminar Format : The technical sessions will have
presentation of contributory research papers, review
papers, survey analyses, case studies, and invited
talks. That apart, there would be a Poster Session on
the theme and sub-themes specified above. Discussions
in different split groups would also form part of the
programme. Deliberations will be in Hindi with some
exceptions in English. A sub theme cannot be the title
of your paper/ presentation; select a narrower topic
under a sub theme. Papers may be prepared in standard
research paper format, i.e. title of the paper,
name(s) and address of author(s), abstract, key words,
introduction, objectives, methodology, observations,
discussion/ analysis, inferences/ conclusions/
recommendations, and references, along with
illustrations/ graphics/ photos including captions.

Who can participate : The seminar is likely to be of
interest to those who have anything to do with
science, communication and science communication, i.e.
scientists, science communicators, science writers,
journalists, editors, researchers and faculty members
of university departments of journalism, public
relations and information officers of scientific
organizations, representatives of media houses,
newspapers, magazines, science cells of radio/ TV
channels and voluntary organizations active in this
area.

Registration/ Submission of Paper/ Abstract : Deadline
February 11, 2008. No registration fee. Only selected
delegates would be invited for presentation/
participation.

Travel Fellowship : There is some provision of travel
support for selected/ invited delegates from India on
request. International delegates will make their own
travel arrangements; the organizers could offer free
stay and meals. Best paper/ presentation awards would
be given in junior and senior categories based on
independent evaluation.

How to Reach Dehradun : Dehradun is one of the
important tourist destinations in North India at the
foothills of Himalayas, connected directly by super
fast trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi,
Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Dehradun has its own airport
and Deccan Air operates its flights from Delhi 5 days
a week. It would be full winter here with a minimum
temperature about 7 0 Celsius, hence sufficient
woolens are recommended.

Exhibition of Popular Science Publications : An
Exhibition of Popular Science Publications and
Software Materials is also being organized at the
venue; please bring/ send your publications, articles,
books, magazines, kits, CDs and software materials for
display.

Addresses for communication :

Mr. Ramesh Panwar
Secretariat, Seminar 2007-08
Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun?248001
(Uttarakhand) , India
Phone : +91-11-26863811; +91-135-2749990;
+91-9313899865 (Mobile)
Email : ldkala@yahoo. com; seminarstad@ yahoo.com

Dr. Manoj Patairiya
Convener, Seminar 2007-08
National Council for Science & Technology
Communication, Dept. of Science & Technology
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi ?
110016 (India)
Phone : +91-11-26537976, 26590238 ; Fax : 26866675
Email : mkp@...; manojpatairiya@ yahoo.com; Website
: www.vichar.nic. in; www.dst.gov. in

INDICATIVE PROGRAMME

FEBRUARY 20

12:00 ? 01:00 PM PRESS CONFERENCE
02:30 ? 06:00 PM ARRIVAL OF DELEGATES/ REGISTRATION/
TEA/ COFFEE
07:00 ? 10:00 PM RECEPTION/ EVENING TALK/ NETWORKING/
DINNER

FEBRUARY 21

09:00 - 10:00 AM INTERACTION/ TEA/ COFFEE

10:00 - 11:30 AM INAUGURAL FUNCTION
11:30 - 12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE

12:00 - 01:30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION I
01:30 - 02:30 PM LUNCH

02:30 - 04:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION II
04:00 ?04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

04:30 ? 06:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION III
06:00 - 06:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

07:00 - 10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CULTURAL PROGRAMME/
DINNER

FEBRUARY 22

09:00 - 10:00 AM POSTER SESSION

10:00 ? 11:30 AM TECHNICAL SESSION IV
11:30 ? 12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE

12:00 ? 01.30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION V
01:30 ? 02.30 PM LUNCH

02:30 ? 04:00 PM BRAINSTORMING SESSION
04:00 ? 04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE/ END OF PROGRAMME

04:30 ? 06:00 PM VALEDICTORY FUNCTION
06:00 - 06:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

07:00 - 10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CONFERENCE DINNER

FEBRUARY 23

FIELD VISIT/ END OF PROGRAMME

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
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#1147

From: Manish Mohan Gore <gore_rm@...>
Date:: Tue Jan 8, 2008 7:53 am
Subject:: Re: Re: anouncement!

gore_rm@...

Dear friends,

I came to know the meet going to organise by NISTAD in coming March.

This is one of the most relevant subjects of discussion which is currently on the floor of Science Communication. It is the need of the hour.

I appreciate this one and hope the interested people of India & abroad will certainly participate & make sure its bright future.

sincerely,

MANISH MOHAN GORE

--- On Mon, 7/1/08, Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:

From: Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@...>
Subject: [indiansciencefiction] Re: anouncement!
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Date: Monday, 7 January, 2008, 9:05 PM

Dear Friends,
Kindly go through the following announcement again if you have not attended to it earlier and please contact Dr.Gauhar Raza for any queries .
Regards,
arvind

arvind mishra

--- On Mon, 7/1/08, gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@ yahoo.com> wrote:

From: gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@ yahoo.com>
Subject: anouncement
To: "Arvind Mishra" <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in>
Date: Monday, 7 January, 2008, 1:05 PM

Dear Arvind,

will you please circulate it among the group members.

gauhar

Dear Friends,

NISTADS is organizing an meet on 'Mapping the Scientific Consciousness: National and International efforts' on 7th and 8th March 2008 in Delhi. Those who have worked on developing indicators of Public Understanding of science or have administered surveys and are interested in attending the meet may contact Gauhar Raza, Convener Organizing Committee (gauhar_raza@ yahoo.cpm or gauharindiameet@ yahoo.com). A background note is attached with this letter.

Attachment

Mapping the Scientific Consciousness: National and Global Efforts

An International Meet

At the behest of Royal Society, London, a two-day workshop on International Indicators of Science and the Public was held on 5^th and 6^th of November 2007. The objectives of the workshop were to take stock of longitudinal data sources of indicators of public engagement with science in its widest meaning, including literacy, attitudes, interest, perceptions, mobilisation and other engagement indicators. For this, survey as well as other data streams was included in discussions. The workshop also focused on the evidence of change in public engagement with science, which these indicators allow to map. The experts pondered upon the strength and weaknesses of existing sets of indicators to serve as â€˜cultural indicatorsâ€™ in global comparison efforts. A few entirely new concepts and avenues for the construction of such indicators, including alternative data streams were also discussed.

As a result of two days of intense deliberations on the one hand, new insights were gained and on the other, a number of new issues, which require further probing came to limelight. During the course of discussion explicitly or implicitly the discussion hovered around the question â€˜what is the phenomenon which we are trying to study? The hazy mist associated with most social phenomenon was quite apparent here as well. It was suggested that the debate on Public Understanding of Science is about the â€˜great societal conversation on scienceâ€™. The evidence presented during the workshop showed that this societal conversation is quite intense, covers various topics, engages a wide segment of population, and is more or less focused by controversies. It is also influenced by the wider cultural context, the language, the political culture, the local history of science and the present level of technological development.

Within this process, we might recognise that nationally representative survey are a highly development technique of observation, but ultimately not sufficient to map societal conversations. Complementary data streams are needed to understand the symbolic environment of a typical survey respondent. After all, survey respondent will answer the questions on the basis of internal (cognitive and emotional) and external resources (the semiotic environment) . Questionnaires return standard answers, but do not tell us how to interpret them in different contexts.

Proposed Meet

From the need to contextualise survey research arises the double agenda of the present meeting, where we made headway pointing to step-changes in future research.

How to improve survey research, the subjective indicators of science?

Why and how to mobilise complementary data streams?

A fundamental tension underlies all the discussions, which at times can lead to misunderstandings. If this duality is seen within the practical strategy of developing a â€˜campaign guidance systemâ€™, then the complementary data are sources and channels of information that influence the target population. Alternatively, if this duality is part of a comparison of scientific cultures, then it refers to two different modalities of representing science, namely informal or in formal communication structures. The one is not driving the other like a â€˜gun shot on targetâ€™, but these two modes enjoy relative autonomy and constitute co-evolving processes like written and spoken languages. The formal structure constitutes the rock bed which shapes the cognitive structures, scientific or otherwise, of a society and the informal continually influences these structures and affixes the new discoveries, scientific information and data that flows in as a result of current activities of scientist community.

This issue seems fundamental and an open one, it might not be a matter to resolve. These two fundamental frameworks of engaging this field of research, campaign mode or comparison of culture, it will continue to preoccupy activists and researchers more or less explicitly.

Opportunity

The workshop organised by the Royal Society, has thrown up an opportunity. The number of experts who participated, the intense discussion that took place and the issues, which were pondered upon, assure us that this research area has matured. It not only forms confluence of many traditional areas such as sociology, statistics, education political science, communication, management, linguistics, economics and cultural studies but also give new insights which would contribute to the national development and global understanding. It should be mentioned that experts from China, Korea, Brazil, South Africa and India were present in the two-day meet but there was no representation of South-East-Asian countries or Middle Eastern countries. There is a need to integrate culturally rich and diverse countries in the debate. During the proposed meeting an effort would be made to identify experts and potential research partners from as many culturally divers countries as possible.

Objectives

The proposed meeting is aimed to address the question of cross-national and longitudinal PUS research among a small group of international experts. The international meeting would also aim at inviting the new comers and potential researchers thereby explore the possibility of nucleating new groups in India and in countries where PUS research is in nascent stages. This meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange the experiences between the developing and the developed world, where experts are working in this field for many years. It will also provide an opportunity to young and in-coming who will bring their fresh perspective and experience from other fields of research with similar concerns.

The meeting is conceived, planned and organised under the scientific direction of Gauhar Raza (NISTADS) and Dr Rajesh Shukla (NCAER) with following objectives;

Determining the core set of survey items to monitor public understanding of science: towards a formal agreement globally

Modelling and multivariate analysis of PUS data and statistical validation of results

Defining a procedural manual for comparative data collection on PUS

Review the evidence of time-series analysis

Reviewing national systems of complementary data streams: e.g. continuous media monitoring and systems of automatic discourse mapping

Developing a score board of PUS activities and levels of input

Tentative Proposed Sessions

Inaugural

Revisiting Indicators

Models of Analysis

Methodologies of Data Collection and Database Creation

Statistical Tools for PUS research

Perspectives of Culturally Diverse Countries

Media Research and PUS

Science Education and Cognitive Structures

The suggested sessions are tentative and would be finalised after receiving the commitment of presentation from the experts.

Structure of the meeting

Each 2-hour session would be equally divided into, two one hour segments, presentations by the expert and discussion by the group.

Participation of Experts

About thirty internationally renowned experts would be invited for the meet. These experts would be asked to send their papers/presentation s in advance. We expect that 15-20 would agree to come and participate in the meet on the 13^th and 14^th March 2008. There by every expert would get about 20 to 30 minutes for the presentation.

Participation of Researchers from Culturally Diverse Countries

About ten potential researchers form Indian sub-continent, South East Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa would also be invited. Since we do not want to dilute the intensity of the debate these invitees would not be asked to present papers fresh but would be asked develop critique of papers submitted by the experts from their national point of view. They would be asked to participate in the discussion.

Participation of Researchers from Indian Institutions

Fifteen to twenty young faculty members from various Indian Universities and Communication Institute would be identified and invited to the meet. These researchers would be carefully selected on the basis of their inclination towards initiating PUS research in their respective departments. Once selected they would be articles submitted by the experts would be circulated among them. The young Indian researchers would be asked to select one international expert and interact with him or her intensely. Each of them would come prepared to discuss and ask questions about the indicators, methodology, conceptual model, statistical techniques and inferences drawn by the expert. One session of the proposed meeting would be devoted to the discussion between potential researchers and the experts.

Dates For The Meet

7^th and 8^th March 2008

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#1146

From: gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@...>
Date:: Tue Jan 8, 2008 6:00 am
Subject:: Re: RE: Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

gauhar_raza@...

Dear Arvind,

may i disagree with you on the question of lack of scietific temper among the masses in india. all the survey reprots show that indian population is as 'scientificaly literate or illiterate' as is the level of population in the west. over a period of 20 year the PUS for sure in india has increased. we, with pride, could report this trend despite all efforts madeto the contrary, by media and certain political formations.

the term 'scientificaly literate or illiterate' is in inverted commas because i do not believe that there is somthing called 'scientific literacy' it is a wrong term. but we could debate on the terms at some other time. the point that i want to make is that people of india are not 'sceitifically' as 'illiterate' as we some times think, believe or state.

with respect

gauhar

----- Original Message ----
From: Arvind Mishra <dr_arvind3@...>
To: indiansciencefiction@...
Sent: Saturday, January 5, 2008 4:26:15 PM
Subject: Re: RE: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?

I endorse your views Tiwaree jee especially the following one ,
"Firstly the understanding of science and existence of scientific temper in India is at a much lower level than in the West. Literacy itself is very low, and then science literacy is even lower. Secondly, publishers in India do not take risks associated with their job"
arvind
On Sat, 05 Jan 2008 Vishwa Mohan Tiwari wrote :
>
>Friends,
>I am back and have enjoyed going through posts on Ancient SF literature, and resurgence in sf today.
>Now what i add may not look as fresh as it would have looked then.
>
>Thank you Gene for bringing to light the contribution of Bhaarateeya story 'form' including that of SF. The convultion that the translations have followed from Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit to Europeans language is amazing, and it sheds light on the compulsion that it generated in the minds of translators who translated it despite its difficulties, both in uderstanding and availability.
>
>The period of the creation of the epic Mahaabhaarat is under controversy, most likely because of various biases.
>However can Mahaabhaarat be confered the honour of being the first 'novel', though in poetry format?
>It certainly has all the components of a novel, indeed an epic is greater than a novel, but all epics need not be novels.
>
>SF is becoming more popular, but not enough to please us. It cannot surge upwards faster for many reasons. Firstly the understanding of science and existence of scientfic temper in India is at a much lower level than in the West. Literacy itself is very low, and then science literacy is even lower. Secondly, publishers in India do not take risks assocoated with their job. Thirdly, TV is eating away the spare time of anybody who can manage to get close to a TV. Fourthly, Indian literature itself is fighting to survive among the common man, and for a reason I fail to understand, it is narrowly selfcentered, it ignores, if not dislikes, sf. How many of our literateurs know and understand science ! And there are many sf writers who lack proper understanding of science.
>
>The Vaalmeekies, Vyaases etc wrote SF but without giving or having a scientific base, but they wrote SF, which became popular. Do we need to learn from them and adopt their technique for todays environment?
>
>VMT
>
>
>Vishwa Mohan Tiwari
>
>
>To: indiansciencefiction@...: cmnautiyal@...: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 11:52:17 +0000Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?
>
>
>
>
>
>Thanks Arvind jee.
>
>I thought that it's the Indian Science Fiction Writers Asso. that organises the conference regularly so didn't mention it separately. Please correct me if it's a wrong notion.
>
>You are right. The pure sci-fi is not so common but certainly more than before.
>
>I also want to add publication of books/ compilations of sci- fi and sci-fa.
>
>CMNArvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Thanks Dr. Nautiyal, I have some observations ,please check If I am wrong.
>What you really mean is perhaps resurgence of sf or sf/f and not the sci-fi because the term sci-fi is usually referred by Hollywood Journalists for block buster moovies.But now a days the term too is getting more popular.
>2.Popular Hindi science mag 'Vigyan Pragati' also publishes sf often if not regularly.
>3.You perhaps forgot to underline the contributions of Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association.
>4.Its great contentment personally to me that while some of our Indian friends went away from the forum owing to reasons only they know better,we got the soothing and enlightening company of Indian sf lovers even from abroad like revered Mr. Gene Van Troyer from Japan, Mr.Michael Iwoleit from Germany and Mr.Adam John Law and Nathan law from USA.I adore their presence on the forum and trust they are with us in years to come.Their presence on the forum only validates an oft repeated Vadic[Rigveda] saying -'Vasudhev Kutumbakam]- that is the whole world should be like a family.We represent now an sf world family indeed.And I am proud of my extended family.
>But it all got accomplished due to the great friends like you who were there in all time when I needed someone to be with me to keep the sf flag erect and high.
>I am stopping here before I get more maudlin and senti...
>Thanks to all ...A very happy and prosperous 2008 !arvind mishra--- On Wed, 2/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@...>Subject: Re: [indiansciencefiction] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?To: indiansciencefiction@...: Wednesday, 2 January, 2008, 6:57 PM
>
>
>
>Sure. Bu there is an upward thrust.
>
>What I am looking for is more arguments to support my statment.
>
>CMNArvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@ yahoo.co. in> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yes you are quite right Dr. Nautiyal, advancement is really there but remember we still have a long way to go.arvind mishra--- On Tue, 1/1/08, CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
> From: CHANDRA MOHAN NAUTIYAL <cmnautiyal@yahoo. co.uk>Subject: [indianscienceficti on] Has there been resurgence of sci-fi in India?To: indiansciencefictio n@yahoogroups. co.inDate: Tuesday, 1 January, 2008, 7:03 PM
>
>
>
>I want to state
>
>"Of late, there has been a resurgence of science fiction in India." I advance the following facts to support it:
>
>1. There is now an exclusively quarterly sci-fi magazine in Hindi being published, started about 6 years ago (Vigyan katha)
>2. The most popular Indian science magazine Science reporter has started publishing sci-fi regularly
>3. A forum by name Indiansciencefictio n has been started
>4. A national convention on science fiction has become a regular feature for the past few years
>4. Movies like ... have a little semblence of sci- fi.
>
>Would you like to add something friends?
>
>CMN
>
>
>Why delete messages? Unlimited storage is just a click away.
>
>
>Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.
>
>
>Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
>
>
>
>Save all your chat conversations. Find them online.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live.
>http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_012008

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#1145

From: Arvind Mishra <arvind_drmishra@...>
Date:: Mon Jan 7, 2008 3:35 pm
Subject:: Re: anouncement!

arvind_drmishra

Offline

Dear Friends,
Kindly go through the following announcement again if you have not attended to it earlier and please contact Dr.Gauhar Raza for any queries .
Regards,
arvind

arvind mishra

--- On Mon, 7/1/08, gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@...> wrote:

From: gauhar raza <gauhar_raza@...>
Subject: anouncement
To: "Arvind Mishra" <arvind_drmishra@...>
Date: Monday, 7 January, 2008, 1:05 PM

Dear Arvind,

will you please circulate it among the group members.

gauhar

Dear Friends,

NISTADS is organizing an meet on 'Mapping the Scientific Consciousness: National and International efforts' on 7th and 8th March 2008 in Delhi. Those who have worked on developing indicators of Public Understanding of science or have administered surveys and are interested in attending the meet may contact Gauhar Raza, Convener Organizing Committee (gauhar_raza@... or gauharindiameet@...). A background note is attached with this letter.

Attachment

Mapping the Scientific Consciousness: National and Global Efforts

An International Meet

At the behest of Royal Society, London, a two-day workshop on International Indicators of Science and the Public was held on 5^th and 6^th of November 2007. The objectives of the workshop were to take stock of longitudinal data sources of indicators of public engagement with science in its widest meaning, including literacy, attitudes, interest, perceptions, mobilisation and other engagement indicators. For this, survey as well as other data streams was included in discussions. The workshop also focused on the evidence of change in public engagement with science, which these indicators allow to map. The experts pondered upon the strength and weaknesses of existing sets of indicators to serve as â€˜cultural indicatorsâ€™ in global comparison efforts. A few entirely new concepts and avenues for the construction of such indicators, including alternative data streams were also discussed.

As a result of two days of intense deliberations on the one hand, new insights were gained and on the other, a number of new issues, which require further probing came to limelight. During the course of discussion explicitly or implicitly the discussion hovered around the question â€˜what is the phenomenon which we are trying to study? The hazy mist associated with most social phenomenon was quite apparent here as well. It was suggested that the debate on Public Understanding of Science is about the â€˜great societal conversation on scienceâ€™. The evidence presented during the workshop showed that this societal conversation is quite intense, covers various topics, engages a wide segment of population, and is more or less focused by controversies. It is also influenced by the wider cultural context, the language, the political culture, the local history of science and the present level of technological development.

Within this process, we might recognise that nationally representative survey are a highly development technique of observation, but ultimately not sufficient to map societal conversations. Complementary data streams are needed to understand the symbolic environment of a typical survey respondent. After all, survey respondent will answer the questions on the basis of internal (cognitive and emotional) and external resources (the semiotic environment). Questionnaires return standard answers, but do not tell us how to interpret them in different contexts.

Proposed Meet

From the need to contextualise survey research arises the double agenda of the present meeting, where we made headway pointing to step-changes in future research.

How to improve survey research, the subjective indicators of science?

Why and how to mobilise complementary data streams?

A fundamental tension underlies all the discussions, which at times can lead to misunderstandings. If this duality is seen within the practical strategy of developing a â€˜campaign guidance systemâ€™, then the complementary data are sources and channels of information that influence the target population. Alternatively, if this duality is part of a comparison of scientific cultures, then it refers to two different modalities of representing science, namely informal or in formal communication structures. The one is not driving the other like a â€˜gun shot on targetâ€™, but these two modes enjoy relative autonomy and constitute co-evolving processes like written and spoken languages. The formal structure constitutes the rock bed which shapes the cognitive structures, scientific or otherwise, of a society and the informal continually influences these structures and affixes the new discoveries, scientific information and data that flows in as a result of current activities of scientist community.

This issue seems fundamental and an open one, it might not be a matter to resolve. These two fundamental frameworks of engaging this field of research, campaign mode or comparison of culture, it will continue to preoccupy activists and researchers more or less explicitly.

Opportunity

The workshop organised by the Royal Society, has thrown up an opportunity. The number of experts who participated, the intense discussion that took place and the issues, which were pondered upon, assure us that this research area has matured. It not only forms confluence of many traditional areas such as sociology, statistics, education political science, communication, management, linguistics, economics and cultural studies but also give new insights which would contribute to the national development and global understanding. It should be mentioned that experts from China, Korea, Brazil, South Africa and India were present in the two-day meet but there was no representation of South-East-Asian countries or Middle Eastern countries. There is a need to integrate culturally rich and diverse countries in the debate. During the proposed meeting an effort would be made to identify experts and potential research partners from as many culturally divers countries as possible.

Objectives

The proposed meeting is aimed to address the question of cross-national and longitudinal PUS research among a small group of international experts. The international meeting would also aim at inviting the new comers and potential researchers thereby explore the possibility of nucleating new groups in India and in countries where PUS research is in nascent stages. This meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange the experiences between the developing and the developed world, where experts are working in this field for many years. It will also provide an opportunity to young and in-coming who will bring their fresh perspective and experience from other fields of research with similar concerns.

The meeting is conceived, planned and organised under the scientific direction of Gauhar Raza (NISTADS) and Dr Rajesh Shukla (NCAER) with following objectives;

Determining the core set of survey items to monitor public understanding of science: towards a formal agreement globally

Modelling and multivariate analysis of PUS data and statistical validation of results

Defining a procedural manual for comparative data collection on PUS

Review the evidence of time-series analysis

Reviewing national systems of complementary data streams: e.g. continuous media monitoring and systems of automatic discourse mapping

Developing a score board of PUS activities and levels of input

Tentative Proposed Sessions

Inaugural

Revisiting Indicators

Models of Analysis

Methodologies of Data Collection and Database Creation

Statistical Tools for PUS research

Perspectives of Culturally Diverse Countries

Media Research and PUS

Science Education and Cognitive Structures

The suggested sessions are tentative and would be finalised after receiving the commitment of presentation from the experts.

Structure of the meeting

Each 2-hour session would be equally divided into, two one hour segments, presentations by the expert and discussion by the group.

Participation of Experts

About thirty internationally renowned experts would be invited for the meet. These experts would be asked to send their papers/presentations in advance. We expect that 15-20 would agree to come and participate in the meet on the 13^th and 14^th March 2008. There by every expert would get about 20 to 30 minutes for the presentation.

Participation of Researchers from Culturally Diverse Countries

About ten potential researchers form Indian sub-continent, South East Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa would also be invited. Since we do not want to dilute the intensity of the debate these invitees would not be asked to present papers fresh but would be asked develop critique of papers submitted by the experts from their national point of view. They would be asked to participate in the discussion.

Participation of Researchers from Indian Institutions

Fifteen to twenty young faculty members from various Indian Universities and Communication Institute would be identified and invited to the meet. These researchers would be carefully selected on the basis of their inclination towards initiating PUS research in their respective departments. Once selected they would be articles submitted by the experts would be circulated among them. The young Indian researchers would be asked to select one international expert and interact with him or her intensely. Each of them would come prepared to discuss and ask questions about the indicators, methodology, conceptual model, statistical techniques and inferences drawn by the expert. One session of the proposed meeting would be devoted to the discussion between potential researchers and the experts.

Dates For The Meet

7^th and 8^th March 2008

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#1144

From: zeashan zaidi <zeashanzaidi@...>
Date:: Mon Jan 7, 2008 4:42 pm
Subject:: Re: Seminar on Science Communication through Creative Genres, Dehradun, India, February 20-23, 2008

zeashanzaidi

Offline

Once again NCST is taking a good initiative to promote Science Fiction in India for extending science literacy among common Indian People. Indeed fiction is the best method for promoting science. This fact had already realized in developed countries and is now coming under consideration in our country. For this, the good efforts of some of our well known scientists canâ€™t be neglected. Especially we must be thankful to Dr. Manoj Patairiya, Mr. Ramesh Panwar and all the team of NCST for arranging such valuable seminar.

regards

Zeashan Zaidi

Manoj Patairiya <manojpatairiya@...> wrote:

National Council for Science and Technology
Communication (NCSTC/DST)
Science Technology and Development Initiative (STAD)
Announce
National Seminar on Science Communication through
Creative Genres
Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun ? 248001
(Uttarakhand); February 20-23, 2008

Generally, science is considered to be dry, boring,
hard, and difficult to understand for a common man and
if science is to be communicated universally down to
masses, we need to present science in an interesting,
simple, lucid, and in a form comprehensible to the
common man. This also means that while doing so, we
need to defy existing tenets of medium, language,
presentation, literacy, understanding and so on; and
there we may need to come to the fold of creative
genres. By and large we have been writing only dry
articles and essays, delivering jargonized talks and
presenting text bookish contents in mass media in the
name of science communication and popularization. It
is not entirely above that is the motivation to go for
a science communication with creative writing, but
more importantly, creating creative pieces of science
writing or in general, creating something through
creative genres is entirely a soul searching
experience for the creator and enjoyable learning for
the target population. But, the issues are above the
delight of creation and the pleasure of appreciating
and comprehending it. Experts emphasise time and again
that creative genres have a great role in speedy
spread of scientific and technological awareness in
the society. Much needs to be done in order to find
confluence of creative genres with communication of
science and technology. We all know the tremendous
popularity of one of the creative genres ?science
fiction? has achieved and also about the remarkable
impact through it in popularising science. Similarly,
?science poems? related to weather and agricultural
practices in our folk literature remained an authentic
source of knowledge based on observational processes.
This fact points towards the sheer encouragement one
can draw from exploring the role creative genres have
in the subject under discussion and emphasising upon
the need to probe deeper as to promote the movement of
endorsing creative genres for science communication
the modern world. This seminar provides ambience and
liberty to deliberate everything connected with the
subject. In order to seek greater involvement of our
science communicators in these genres, there is need
to identify the indicators for adjudging the
effectiveness of creative genres while dealing with an
issue pertaining to science and technology. It has
also been thought necessary at the seminar that
various sub genres under the creative forms be
discussed threadbare vis-à¶is science communication.
Another area of discussion would be the relation of
the medium and the genre or sub genre of creative
form. There may also be some not yet identified trends
in these issues and it may also be given space during
the course of discussion.

Technical Sessions/ Sub Themes : There will be 5
technical sessions/ sub themes:

i) Fiction as a form of science communication : This
session presents studies on various aspects of science
fiction, story telling, science fantasy and its impact
with regard to science communication.
ii) Poetic expressions as a form of science
communication : This session discusses various forms
of poetry and its application in science
communication, i.e. proverbs by Ghagh Bhaddari, etc.
iii) Creative genres and performing arts : This
session examines the role of folk arts and forms in
presenting science to the public including its
relevance and impact in today?s world.
iv) Creative writing for audio-visual-digital media :
This session emphasises on various formats and styles
of presenting science contents and concepts through
these media.
v) Creative genres and issues of literacy and medium :
This session focuses on literacy requirement and
medium interrelation for effective S&T communication.

Seminar Format : The technical sessions will have
presentation of contributory research papers, review
papers, survey analyses, case studies, and invited
talks. That apart, there would be a Poster Session on
the theme and sub-themes specified above. Discussions
in different split groups would also form part of the
programme. Deliberations will be in Hindi with some
exceptions in English. A sub theme cannot be the title
of your paper/ presentation; select a narrower topic
under a sub theme. Papers may be prepared in standard
research paper format, i.e. title of the paper,
name(s) and address of author(s), abstract, key words,
introduction, objectives, methodology, observations,
discussion/ analysis, inferences/ conclusions/
recommendations, and references, along with
illustrations/ graphics/ photos including captions.

Who can participate : The seminar is likely to be of
interest to those who have anything to do with
science, communication and science communication, i.e.
scientists, science communicators, science writers,
journalists, editors, researchers and faculty members
of university departments of journalism, public
relations and information officers of scientific
organizations, representatives of media houses,
newspapers, magazines, science cells of radio/ TV
channels and voluntary organizations active in this
area.

Registration/ Submission of Paper/ Abstract : Deadline
February 11, 2008. No registration fee. Only selected
delegates would be invited for presentation/
participation.

Travel Fellowship : There is some provision of travel
support for selected/ invited delegates from India on
request. International delegates will make their own
travel arrangements; the organizers could offer free
stay and meals. Best paper/ presentation awards would
be given in junior and senior categories based on
independent evaluation.

How to Reach Dehradun : Dehradun is one of the
important tourist destinations in North India at the
foothills of Himalayas, connected directly by super
fast trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi,
Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Dehradun has its own airport
and Deccan Air operates its flights from Delhi 5 days
a week. It would be full winter here with a minimum
temperature about 7 0 Celsius, hence sufficient
woolens are recommended.

Exhibition of Popular Science Publications : An
Exhibition of Popular Science Publications and
Software Materials is also being organized at the
venue; please bring/ send your publications, articles,
books, magazines, kits, CDs and software materials for
display.

Addresses for communication :

Mr. Ramesh Panwar
Secretariat, Seminar 2007-08
Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun?248001
(Uttarakhand), India
Phone : +91-11-26863811; +91-135-2749990;
+91-9313899865 (Mobile)
Email : ldkala@yahoo.com; seminarstad@yahoo.com

Dr. Manoj Patairiya
Convener, Seminar 2007-08
National Council for Science & Technology
Communication, Dept. of Science & Technology
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi ?
110016 (India)
Phone : +91-11-26537976, 26590238 ; Fax : 26866675
Email : mkp@...; manojpatairiya@yahoo.com; Website
: www.vichar.nic.in; www.dst.gov.in

INDICATIVE PROGRAMME

FEBRUARY 20

12:00 ? 01:00 PM PRESS CONFERENCE
02:30 ? 06:00 PM ARRIVAL OF DELEGATES/ REGISTRATION/
TEA/ COFFEE
07:00 ? 10:00 PM RECEPTION/ EVENING TALK/ NETWORKING/
DINNER

FEBRUARY 21

09:00 - 10:00 AM INTERACTION/ TEA/ COFFEE

10:00 - 11:30 AM INAUGURAL FUNCTION
11:30 - 12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE

12:00 - 01:30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION I
01:30 - 02:30 PM LUNCH

02:30 - 04:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION II
04:00 ?04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

04:30 ? 06:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION III
06:00 - 06:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

07:00 - 10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CULTURAL PROGRAMME/
DINNER

FEBRUARY 22

09:00 - 10:00 AM POSTER SESSION

10:00 ? 11:30 AM TECHNICAL SESSION IV
11:30 ? 12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE

12:00 ? 01.30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION V
01:30 ? 02.30 PM LUNCH

02:30 ? 04:00 PM BRAINSTORMING SESSION
04:00 ? 04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE/ END OF PROGRAMME

04:30 ? 06:00 PM VALEDICTORY FUNCTION
06:00 - 06:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

07:00 - 10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CONFERENCE DINNER

FEBRUARY 23

FIELD VISIT/ END OF PROGRAMME

__________________________________________________________
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#1143

From: "Arvind Mishra" <dr_arvind3@...>
Date:: Mon Jan 7, 2008 3:21 pm
Subject:: Re: anouncement

arvind_drmishra

Offline

I extend my sincere thanks to Dr.Gauhar Raza for making this announcement available to the members of this forum.
I also invite the attention of all the dear/respected members to please come forward to express their views over the issue.And if any one of you are really interested to participate kindly contact Dr.Gauhar Raza for n.a.
The topic looks great , of an intellectual gymnasium kind and unless some one takes it by heart I do not think something concrete would emerge out.
Arvind
On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 gauhar raza wrote :
>Dear Friends,
>NISTADS is organizing an meet on 'Mapping the Scientific Consciousness: National and International efforts' on 7th and 8th March 2008 in Delhi. Those who have worked on developing indicators of Public Understanding of science or have administered surveys and are interested in attending the meet may contact Gauhar Raza, Convener Organizing Committee (gauhar_raza@... or gauharindiameet@...). A background note is attached with this letter.
>
>Attachment
>
>Mapping the Scientific Consciousness: National and Global Efforts
>An International Meet
>
>At the behest of Royal Society, London, a two-day workshop on International Indicators of Science and the Public was held on 5th and 6th of November 2007. The objectives of the workshop were to take stock of longitudinal data sources of indicators of public engagement with science in its widest meaning, including literacy, attitudes, interest, perceptions, mobilisation and other engagement indicators. For this, survey as well as other data streams was included in discussions. The workshop also focused on the evidence of change in public engagement with science, which these indicators allow to map. The experts pondered upon the strength and weaknesses of existing sets of indicators to serve as ¡cultural indicators¢ in global comparison efforts. A few entirely new concepts and avenues for the construction of such indicators, including alternative data streams were also discussed.
>
>As a result of two days of intense deliberations on the one hand, new insights were gained and on the other, a number of new issues, which require further probing came to limelight. During the course of discussion explicitly or implicitly the discussion hovered around the question ¡what is the phenomenon which we are trying to study? The hazy mist associated with most social phenomenon was quite apparent here as well. It was suggested that the debate on Public Understanding of Science is about the ¡great societal conversation on science¢. The evidence presented during the workshop showed that this societal conversation is quite intense, covers various topics, engages a wide segment of population, and is more or less focused by controversies. It is also influenced by the wider cultural context, the language, the political culture, the local history of science and the present level of technological development.
>
>Within this process, we might recognise that nationally representative survey are a highly development technique of observation, but ultimately not sufficient to map societal conversations. Complementary data streams are needed to understand the symbolic environment of a typical survey respondent. After all, survey respondent will answer the questions on the basis of internal (cognitive and emotional) and external resources (the semiotic environment). Questionnaires return standard answers, but do not tell us how to interpret them in different contexts.
>
>Proposed Meet
>
>
> From the need to contextualise survey research arises the double agenda of the present meeting, where we made headway pointing to step-changes in future research.
>
>How to improve survey research, the subjective indicators of science?
>Why and how to mobilise complementary data streams?
>
>A fundamental tension underlies all the discussions, which at times can lead to misunderstandings. If this duality is seen within the practical strategy of developing a ¡campaign guidance system¢, then the complementary data are sources and channels of information that influence the target population. Alternatively, if this duality is part of a comparison of scientific cultures, then it refers to two different modalities of representing science, namely informal or in formal communication structures. The one is not driving the other like a ¡gun shot on target¢, but these two modes enjoy relative autonomy and constitute co-evolving processes like written and spoken languages. The formal structure constitutes the rock bed which shapes the cognitive structures, scientific or otherwise, of a society and the informal continually influences these structures and affixes the new discoveries, scientific information and data that flows in as a result of
> current activities of scientist community.
>
>This issue seems fundamental and an open one, it might not be a matter to resolve. These two fundamental frameworks of engaging this field of research, campaign mode or comparison of culture, it will continue to preoccupy activists and researchers more or less explicitly.
>
>Opportunity
>
>The workshop organised by the Royal Society, has thrown up an opportunity. The number of experts who participated, the intense discussion that took place and the issues, which were pondered upon, assure us that this research area has matured. It not only forms confluence of many traditional areas such as sociology, statistics, education political science, communication, management, linguistics, economics and cultural studies but also give new insights which would contribute to the national development and global understanding. It should be mentioned that experts from China, Korea, Brazil, South Africa and India were present in the two-day meet but there was no representation of South-East-Asian countries or Middle Eastern countries. There is a need to integrate culturally rich and diverse countries in the debate. During the proposed meeting an effort would be made to identify experts and potential research partners from as many culturally divers
> countries as possible.
>
>Objectives
>
>The proposed meeting is aimed to address the question of cross-national and longitudinal PUS research among a small group of international experts. The international meeting would also aim at inviting the new comers and potential researchers thereby explore the possibility of nucleating new groups in India and in countries where PUS research is in nascent stages. This meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange the experiences between the developing and the developed world, where experts are working in this field for many years. It will also provide an opportunity to young and in-coming who will bring their fresh perspective and experience from other fields of research with similar concerns.
>
>The meeting is conceived, planned and organised under the scientific direction of Gauhar Raza (NISTADS) and Dr Rajesh Shukla (NCAER) with following objectives;
>
>Determining the core set of survey items to monitor public understanding of science: towards a formal agreement globally
>Modelling and multivariate analysis of PUS data and statistical validation of results
>Defining a procedural manual for comparative data collection on PUS
>Review the evidence of time-series analysis
>Reviewing national systems of complementary data streams: e.g. continuous media monitoring and systems of automatic discourse mapping
>Developing a score board of PUS activities and levels of input
>
>Tentative Proposed Sessions
>Inaugural
>Revisiting Indicators
>Models of Analysis
>Methodologies of Data Collection and Database Creation
>Statistical Tools for PUS research
>Perspectives of Culturally Diverse Countries
>Media Research and PUS
>Science Education and Cognitive Structures
>
>The suggested sessions are tentative and would be finalised after receiving the commitment of presentation from the experts.
>
>Structure of the meeting
>
>Each 2-hour session would be equally divided into, two one hour segments, presentations by the expert and discussion by the group.
>
>Participation of Experts
>
>About thirty internationally renowned experts would be invited for the meet. These experts would be asked to send their papers/presentations in advance. We expect that 15-20 would agree to come and participate in the meet on the 13th and 14th March 2008. There by every expert would get about 20 to 30 minutes for the presentation.
>
>Participation of Researchers from Culturally Diverse Countries
>
>About ten potential researchers form Indian sub-continent, South East Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa would also be invited. Since we do not want to dilute the intensity of the debate these invitees would not be asked to present papers fresh but would be asked develop critique of papers submitted by the experts from their national point of view. They would be asked to participate in the discussion.
>
>Participation of Researchers from Indian Institutions
>
>Fifteen to twenty young faculty members from various Indian Universities and Communication Institute would be identified and invited to the meet. These researchers would be carefully selected on the basis of their inclination towards initiating PUS research in their respective departments. Once selected they would be articles submitted by the experts would be circulated among them. The young Indian researchers would be asked to select one international expert and interact with him or her intensely. Each of them would come prepared to discuss and ask questions about the indicators, methodology, conceptual model, statistical techniques and inferences drawn by the expert. One session of the proposed meeting would be devoted to the discussion between potential researchers and the experts.
>
>Dates For The Meet
>
>7th and 8th March 2008
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
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