AIPSN Foundation Day
AIPSN Foundation Day on Feb 11 is being celebrated by a series of stories from AIPSN and its affiliated Popular Science Movements (PSMs) from different States. Along with the posters circulated for 'each storynar' which consists of songs from different PSMs and stories told by members from AIPSN and the PSMs. For readers is offered here a book "Science for Social Revolution" that was brought out by Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) one of the founder PSMs of the AIPSN. This book was edited by M.P. Parameswaran a vibrant visionary and one the founders of AIPSN. To see the book and the posters with the details of the storynars click on the link..
Dr. Narendra Dhabolkar Award for Science and Scientific Temper work of AIPSN
The award ceremony for Dr. Narendra Dhabolkar Award instituted by Maharashtra Foundation took place in Pune on Saturday 28th January 2023. President AIPSN Satyajit Rath and General Secretary AIPSN Asha Misha received the award on behalf of AIPSN. The EC of AIPSN was also represented by Convenor of Scientific Temper Desk Arunabha Misra along with Vivek Monteiro, Geeta Mahashabde , others from BGVS Maharashtra and Samata Coordinator. The President AIPSN Dr. Satyajit Rath gave the acceptance speech. The article on Universalizing Scientific Temper from AIPSN was published in the Maharashtra Foundation Souvenir. The EC of AIPSN had earlier decided to accept only the non-monetary part of the award. The memorial plaque received is shown in picture in the link. Click the link to see the details and the pdf of the article in English and Marathi.
AIPSN response to draft FHEI regulations from UGC
AIPSN calls upon UGC to abandon this draft regulation to setup and operate campuses of foreign higher educational institutions in India and instead initiate an open discussion with the stakeholders in India to enable the higher education system in India to first function properly to achieve that Education Ambedkar wanted: “Education is what makes a person fearless, teaches him the lesson of unity, makes him aware of his rights and inspires him to struggle for his rights”. click link to read the details
Statement on GM Mustard Trials
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) on 18th October 2022 permitted production and field testing of hybrid seeds of genetically modified (GM) Mustard named DMH II......AIPSN notes that, in contrast to earlier releases by agri-business corporations, DMH-II has been developed by a public sector laboratory in Delhi University in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). .....Finally, AIPSN urges that any eventual decision on commercial release must be taken after thorough rigorous assessments of results of these trials and based on a detailed planfor regulatory systems and institutional framework governing modalities of seed production and distribution, including provisions for public scrutiny of the same...CLICK LINK to read FULL statement
Comments from AIPSN regarding Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Click on links to see the Letters have been submitted to JtSec(JM) LokSabha Secretariat Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, MP Member Parliamentary Standing Committee & Forests Mr. Jairam Ramesh, MP Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee For Environment & Forests With copies to Chairman, Biodiversity Authority, Chennai Director, ICAR, NBPGR, New Delhi Chairman PPVRF, Pusa campus, New Delhi. Dr. T.R. Sharma, Dy DG (crops) ICAR, New Delhi.
75 Years of Independence: Self Reliance, Idea of India and Road to the Future
.....In this the 75th year of Independence, the Peoples Science Movement looks at how our independent nation started, what was achieved, what went wrong and what prospects and challenges lie ahead in the future.... To achieve its due, India needs to re-generate, re-imagine and take forward the values and aspirations of its freedom movement in the contemporary context and learning from all the missteps, failures and missed opportunities over the years...The Peoples Science Movement will take this message to the people during the year through grassroots dialogues and other mass contact programmes. ..Click LINK to read the full text..
Regressive and Unconstitutional NCERT’s Textbook changes
All India Peoples’ Science Network (AIPSN) is concerned that the National Education Policy 2020 implementation in respect of the content of school education at the NCERT having wider academic, educational, political and social implications is already underway. Changes have been made without any academic considerations or academic logic.....All the changes have been done in a hasty ad hoc manner. Academics, teachers and the Peoples’ Science Movements have earlier also made their apprehensions clear about the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, to the Union Government and the State Governments who have the responsibility and decision and policy making power. ...click link to read more
Appeal to observe National Scientific Temper Day on 20th August, 2022 (NSTD 2022)
All India People's Science Network (AIPSN) will observe National Scientific Temper Day, for the fifth consecutive year, on 20 August 2022. On this day five years ago, right-wing Hindutvavadi extremists murdered Dr. Narendra Achyut Dabholkar in Pune. Dr. Dabholkar was a fervent champion of a scientific outlook among the people and struggled relentlessly against superstition and unreason. Apparently the same extremist group subsequently also murdered social worker Govind Pansare, historian M.M. Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh for similar work promoting rational thought and a scientific temper.
Implement and Strengthen regulatory effectiveness to protect Indian food and agricultural systems
AIPSN has written a letter to Chairman GEAC with copies to the Minister of MoEFFC, Minister of Commerce&Industry and Secretary DBT to bring to their attention the widely circulated news in national media ...CLICK Link to read more...AIPSN demands: A thorough and independent(not only departmental as at present) investigation into the events behind these exports. Full transparency regarding the findings, as well as protocols for monitoring, testing etc governing cross-contamination, and precautions and monitoring of entry of GM foods into the domestic or export markets. The Government obtain from EU/French authorities all details regarding their findings, testing procedures and processes etc. and make it publicly available. GEAC must work with APEDA and European Authorities to obtain and make public the full details....CLICK Link to read more
Corbevax for 12-14 year-olds: arbitrary decision-making on Vaccines continues in India
click link to read full text...The Government is arbitrarily dividing up the market amongst different vaccine manufacturers by approving only specific vaccines for different age-groups, rather than adopting a more equitable public vaccination programme. .......AIPSN calls upon the government to strictly follow laid-down regulatory procedures and scrutiny by scientific and expert bodies, then formulate and implement evidence-based policies with transparent decision-making rationale. Only this will restore public confidence in India’s vaccination policy and obviate vaccine hesitancy.