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Year
of Scientific Awareness - 2004
Background
A project
supported and catalysed by NCSTC/RVPSP
(National Council for Science
& Technology Communication/
Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Pradyogiki
Sanchar Parishad), DST, Govt.
of India since 1988 aims to
focus on various relevant focal
themes each year. The year 2004
is celebrated as Year of Scientific
Awareness (YSA). Comprising
both jatha and non-jatha types,
the main aim is to reach crores
of people directly or indirectly
by using various forms of communication
media. The six important subjects
or themes of YSA are Water and
Sanitation, Health and Nutrition,
Environment and Biodiversity
Conservation, Disaster Preparedness,
Soil Management and Empowerment
of People through Information
Technology.
To organize
this mega event in a proficient
manner, the nation has been
divided into eight zones on
the basis of some common characteristics
and problems.
ASTEC
is the Regional Coordinating
Agency for the Eastern Himalayan
Region comprising all the eight
NE states and hilly districts
of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and
Darjeeling in West Bengal. It
is worthwhile mentioning that
DST, Govt. of India selected
Assam and Uttaranchal as model
for implementing 'Vigyan Chetna
Jatha for Himalayan Region'
as Pilot Projects in 2003.
Objectives
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To
help in creating an atmosphere
and condition conducive
to more and more people
readily and easily becoming
scientifically aware. |
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Make
more and more people habitual
of keeping themselves scientifically
aware by acquiring the required
knowledge and information
and seeking satisfactory
answers to questions that
arise in their minds. |
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To
encourage more and more
people to make practical
use of their scientific
awareness in day-to-day
life, in arriving at decisions
concerning issues/ subjects
of concern to them, in overcoming
superstitions and tackling
blind beliefs, and in handling
situations arising out of
age-old practices and traditions
which actually hinder progress,
harmony, or even may harm
others. |
Activities
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Non-Jatha
comprising Seminar, Poster
and Song competitions, blind
motivation programme, puppet
shows, folk performances,
popular lectures, Radio
and Television programmes
in various districts of
all the states completed. |
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Jatha
performances held in almost
all the states of Eastern
Himalayan Region with culmination
events. |
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Financial
assistance supported by
NCSTC, DST, Govt. of India
has been released to each
state. |
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Last
instalment as received from
Govt. of India till date
to all the State Coordinating
Agencies released except
Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim. |
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