Report on Indian Science Communication Congress(ISCC-2012)

The 12th Indian Science Communication Congress (ISCC-2012) with the theme of ‘Risk Communication and Development’ was held at Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi from 17-21 December. The conference was being jointly organized by National Council of Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Indian Science Writers Association (ISWA), Vidyadeep Foundation and Jan Sewa Ashram. The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Ved Prakash, Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) and Presidential address was delivered by Prof. Krishan Lal, President, Indian National Science Academy. Key note address was delivered by Dr. R. K. Bhandari, Former Chairman, Centre for Disaster Mitigation. Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Director General of Council of Scientific Research (CSIR) and veteran journalist Dr. Radhey Shyam Sharma graced the occasion as guest of honour.  Indian Science Writers Association (ISWA) conferred national awards and fellowships to fifty leading scientists and journalists of the nation. Around 250 scientists, science writers, academicians,  science correspondents and students participated in the congress. In his inaugural address Prof. Ved Prakash, Chairman, UGC, stressed the importance of quality education and research in the higher science education. In the presidential address Dr. Krishan Lal, INSA President suggested the importance of fact based debates and discussion between the scientists, communicators and common people. Dr. Manoj Kumar Patairiya talked about addressing the dilemma over emerging conflicting  issues on science and technology and role of scientists and journalists. Prof. Samir K Brahmachari stressed the importance of science communicators for bridging the gap between scientists and common people.

Several topics such as Risk Communication and Management, Nuclear Energy and Environmental Awareness, Public appreciation of Health Risks and Genetically Modified Organisms were discussed and deliberations made during the conference. The increasing public concerns on emerging issues in genetically modified organisms, nuclear energy, climate change, clinical trials, industrial hazards, etc., need to be addressed with fair, honest, and factual scientific understanding; this entire concept opens up a yet another area of science communication, i.e. “Risk Communication & Development”, which was the focal theme of ISCC-2012. The deliberations  covered a wide range of sub themes, such as: Communication for Sustainable Development; Awareness of Genetically Modified Organisms; Public Appreciation of Nuclear Energy; Public Understanding of Health Risks; Environmental Risks and Communication Strategies; Public Misunderstanding of Superstitions; Preparedness for Disasters - Natural and Human; Risk Communication and Mass Media; Scientific Temper and Risk Management, etc.

I presented my paper on Public awareness of directive on restriction of hazardous substances. We are living in an electronic age. We have e-mail, e-banking, e-business, e-books, e-medicine (telemedicine) and so on. The e-products like laptops and cellular phones have penetrated the society in a big way. However majority of users of these products are unaware of presence of hazardous chemicals in electronic goods. The Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment was adopted in 2003 by the European Union. The RoHS-directive, restricts the use of six hazardous materials (viz., lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, PBB and PDBE) in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. PBB and PBDE are brominated flame retardants used in several plastics. A long term exposure of these substances may lead to damage of Nervous system, Kidney, Bones, Reproductive System and Endocrine system. BFR release dioxins and furans which are neurotoxins.

The topics of the evening talks covered First Aid in Disaster by well known physician Dr. K.K. Aggarwal, Science and Art of Weather Forecasting by Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Secretary UGC, Disasters and Public Awareness by Dr. K. J. Ramesh, Advisor, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Nuclear Energy Debate by Dr. S.K. Malhotra, Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India. The deliberations emphasized the need of a Science and Technology Communication Policy.

Second session of the last day was dedicated for “Young Scholars” which was chaired by Dr. M Prithviraj, Executive Director, Karnataka State Council for Science & Tech. Variety of presentations were made and appreciated by the audience.

Discussion and conclusion sessions was chaired by Dr. S K Malhotra, Director, Public Affairs, Deptt of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India and Rappoteur was Mr. B P Singh, Journalist, Chandigarh. Dr. Manoj Pataria, Director, NCSTC, GOI also share the dais and answered the queries of the participants and delegates. This session was dedicated for the interaction, discussion, suggestion and further recommendation to the higher authorities for their kind consideration.

The valedictory session of the conference was graced by dignitaries such as Mr. Noorana, Sr. Manager, Corporate communication, India Oil Corporation, Mr. Anand Khati, JS, MoES, GOI, Prof Saroj Mishra, University of Houston Clear Lake, USA and Dr. Avinash Mishra, Chief Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.