A new book on inspiring moments of leading Indian scientists titled ‘Indian Scientists- The saga of Inspired Minds’and will be released by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology (S&T), Earth Sciences (ES) and Environment, Forest and Climate Change (EFCC) on 12 March 2018 at a function to be organized at the India International Centre in New Delhi.
The book has been published by Vigyan Prasar, an Autonomous Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. This path-breaking book has been written by leading science writers. It includes glimpses of inspiring moments from the lives of 54 eminent Indian Scientists and Technologists across the entire gamut of disciplines and eras. The catalog includes some very renowned scientists like Homi Jahangir Bhabha, Jagdish Chandre Bose, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, Satyendra Nath Bose, Satish Dhawan, APJ Abdul Kalam, Har Govind Khorana, Raja Ramanna, Meghnad Saha, S Chandrasekhar, Birbal Sahni, Ruchi Ram Sahni, Vikram Sarabhai, M Visvesvaraya and so on.
These scientists personified excellence along with dedication and wisdom that played a pivotal role in shaping modern India and thus the insights presented in the book are invaluable. This initiative of Vigyan Prasar also highlights the values and ethos that these great minds stood for and it has been taken with the hope that it sets the context for renewed optimism about science and technology pursuits, essential to tackle multiple challenges and optimize on human, natural, institutional and other resources.
The volume puts together turning points in the lives of Indian scientists whose achievements laid the foundation for robust growth and development of science and technology in the country. Their lives are glowing examples of triumph over adversity which will enthuse Indian youth who aspire to embark on the path painstakingly laid by them. Citizens from all walks of life too will be inspired by the leadership and vision of the scientists covered in this publication, for inclusive development.
This publication also serves a very important purpose of science communication. It is designed to create awareness about the wealth of insights on the forms and functions of science and technology as tools for inclusive growth.
The occasion of release of this book by Dr. Harsh Vardhan is also being leveraged by him to interact with associates and relatives of some of the scientists featured in the book whom he has invited to learn more about the lives & times of these great souls. Thus the book launch will be followed by a panel discussion with these special invitees who will also interact with the media.
On this occasion, the Minister will also release a compendium of science news articles syndicated by India Science Wire (ISW) during 2017. The compendium included 425 original news stories in English and Hindi produced by India Science Wire and published in Indian media outlets. These news articles that highlight some of the unique & novel research work done in Indian research laboratories, academic institutions and universities which also will be another landmark in science communication & popularizing domain.
