http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/60495 2026-10-20T02:04:23Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/60500 Title: Public perceptions and experiences with the ongoing COVID-19 immunisation programme in India: A survey-based study Authors: AGRAWAL, HARSHITA; HIMANSHI; DEBNATH, ISHITA; AGARWAL, PREETI; SONI, RENU; MISHRA, REEMA Abstract: In countries with large population size, the process of spreading awareness about an entity is often a challenging task. India, ranking second in the world in terms of population, was one of the countries to produce effective vaccines and run a vaccination campaign in a span of months after the onset of COVID-19. The main objectives of the survey were to uncover the predilection of individuals regarding the available vaccines, the extent of safety and the necessity of vaccines. An attempt was made to find out the post-vaccination manifestations. The questionnaire was designed using Google forms which had a total of 31 questions and was circulated via various social media platforms. By the time of conduction of the survey, 18.40% of individuals had received both doses of vaccines and 58.10% of individuals had pain at the site of injection as the most common symptom irrespective of the type of vaccine they received. It can be concluded that the majority of individuals considered vaccination as the need of the hour. Covishield was the most favoured vaccine. Although most of the responses received were assertive, some of the respondents were still sceptical about the vaccination. It was found that vaccination helped in reducing the severity of disease and if coupled with other precautionary measures will lessen the transmission or spread of the virus. Page(s): 140-161 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/60499 Title: Don’t we need more scientific literature on the impact of science television documentaries, science and science-fiction films in India? Authors: RAHMAN, MATIUR; PRASANNA, NK Abstract: In the recent past, there has been an increase in the number of science television documentaries, science films, and science fiction movies produced in India. However, scholarly research on these media products is still limited. The scientific literatures already available are largely based on mainstream science fiction films which attempt to make concepts in science and technology popular by focusing more on their ‘thought experiment’potential to appeal to the audience, rather than letting the audience appreciate the essential scientific concept in their stories. On the other hand, when science documentaries reconstruct a science reality, the script and production decisions are made primarily based on intensive research into the theme which takes precedence over compromising the scientific content for the sake of popular appeal. While the audience does not have much to be concerned about these implicit differences, it is for film scholars and science filmmakers to take note of the accurate presentation of science concepts in television documentaries and science films as against the treatment of the same in fiction fantasy, sciencefiction films, comedy, drama, thriller, action and adventure that foregrounds science aimed at entertainment. This study reviews five literature sources that explore communication through science films. The study not only establishes the urgent need for assessing the growth of science films, science fiction movies, scientific documentaries and television programmes in the Indian context that are based on valid scientific concepts and conveys accurate, positive and educational messages but also its cinematic treatment that supports effective science communication through films. Page(s): 162-176 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/60498 Title: Science and Knowledge as a Tool of Subjugation Perspectives of European Colonialism in India Authors: P.A., SABAREESH; A.L., REETA SONY Abstract: The development of science as an integral part of society is evolutionary and goes hand in hand with the prosperity of the human intellect, resources available and the freedom accorded the society to think and prosper. India’s scientific heritage had reached its pinnacle in its own perspectives that are difficult to compare with western philosophy and thinking. The underpinning of India-centric eastern philosophies that knowledge i.e. truth can be approached by diverse means had epistemologically led to the evolutionof wide array of methodologies and inculcation of multidisciplinary learning processes in India’s indigenous education system. Hence science has historically been an inevitable aspect of India’s education curriculum since the ancient and medieval periods. Though the Islamic invasions and European colonisation of the Indian sub-continent during the medieval period were resisted, they had caused tantrums in the regular and active functioning of society and had therefore disrupted societal components such as education, economy and trade, culture, polity, agriculture, taxation system, etc. as there had been various external factors and tools such as colonisation, imperialism, mercantilism, exploitation, monopolistic trade, loot, slavery, inquisitions, violence, genocide, etc. that influenced the internal affairs thereby causing subjugation of the Indian minds. The pursuit of science and technology as a tool with an unethical intention to subjugate the Indian sub-continent and its polity has been explored in this paper. The introduction of the telegraph, railways and steam ships as a means of faster communication and transportation for militaristic, political and trade purposes proves that scientific superiority wasalso a means of subjugation by the European colonial powers, particularly the British. The paper also explores how the distortion of history, unethical misappropriation of India’s knowledge systems and dismantling of indigenous education concepts and structures such as gurukulas and patshalas by cutting off rural financial mechanisms through the adverse taxation system and the introductionof urban-based western education system had ultimately led to the subjugation of India’s national conscience. Page(s): 177-190 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/60497 Title: A brief study on the public dissemination of COVID-19 information through Science Reporter Authors: DHARMAPALAN, BIJU; MAHESH, G. Abstract: Information dissemination during the COVID-19 pandemic period was a challenging task. There was a lot of misinformation circulated through social media. The pandemic has badly affected the print sector, and most magazines either stopped publication or shifted to digital mode. One of the premier science magazines published in India, Science Reporter, has brought out issues in the digital format even during the pandemic lockdown. In the present study, we analyse the content related to COVID-19 published in the magazine for disseminating scientific information to the public. The study showed that the magazine carried forty-three articles related to COVID in 16 issues published during 2020- 2021. The study also showed a spurt in popular science writing from the members of the scientific community. Page(s): 191-196 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z