By Umashankar Mishra
): Science-rich cinema strengthens society and is an effective tool to empower the nation, said, Dr Chandra Mohan Nautiyal, Consultant, Science Communication, at Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi. He was speaking as a keynote speaker at the three-day International Science Film Festival of India (ISFFI), conducted as a part of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2022.
A renowned scientist, Dr Nautiyal delivered his keynote address on “Films to Reflect India’s Emergence as Science & Technology Leader” in special context of Science-20 (S-20), one of the working groups of G-20 being presided over by India in 2023. It was addressed to a gathering of science filmmakers and science film enthusiasts assembled at Rajat Jayanti Auditorium, Pt. Khushilal Sharma Ayurveda Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
The theme of the S-20 for 2023 is ‘Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Development.’ For the past several years, the group of G20 countries has been working towards addressing other global challenges such as climate change mitigation and sustainable development. Several working groups have been established, including S-20, to achieve these goals.
International Science Film Festival of India (ISFFI) is a major component of four-day India International Science Festival (IISF)-2022, inaugurated on Saturday, in the presence of Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chauhan; and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; Minister of State PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh’.
Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood; Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; Dr N Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR; M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES; Om Prakash Sakhlecha, S&T Minister, Madhya Pradesh; and Nikunj Srivastava, Secretary- S&T, Madhya Pradesh, were also present during the inauguration of IISF-2022, in Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) of Bhopal.
Stating the resilience of India during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr CM Nautiyal highlighted the strength of science and technology, and its crucial role in educating people about the disease. He also stated the importance emergence of G-20 and S-20 initiatives, and how these have helped in sustainable development.
As S-20 stands for Cooperation in Science, the benefits of science and its various fields can easily be incorporated in the betterment of human values and civilization. Engagement of scientists and researchers in the S-20 programmes through communication is much needed to make any nation a superpower. These developmental programmes are backhanded by multiple channels of communication, and one of the efficient medium is film and cinema, said, Dr Nautiyal.
As film and cinema can easily be understood by masses, it can also be used to portray science and its different aspects and roles in human civilization. This can be done by targeting niche audience like students and youth who have been perceiving science as creativity and innovation. In India, around 4000 science-based films have already been produced and made available to the audience by VIGYAN PRASAR. Some other institutions like DD, NCSTC (DST) and some private channels too are the main players in the science film making world, said, DR Nautiyal.
Dr Nautiyal said, western cinema, already rich in the science-fiction genre, has produced movies like JURASIC PARK, INTERSTELLAR, GRAVITY, STAR WARS, and created a totally different world for its viewers. Movies like Mr. X IN Bombay, Koi Mil Gaya, Krrish, and Drona have represented Indian Cinema in the science-fiction league. Science and technology, on a whole control the destinies of a nation and eventually help in shaping the industrialization and technological emergence of a nation.
Arun Chadha, Veteran Filmmaker and Jury Chair, ISFFI-2022; Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh, Former VC, Patna University, Jury Member, ISFFI-2022; Rajiv Verma, Veteran Actor, Jury Member, ISFFI-2022, Dr Nakul Parashar, Director, Vigyan Prasar, Dr Sudhir S. Bhadauria, Secretary General, Vijnana Bharati; and Nimish Kapoor, Festival Convener, Scientist-E, Vigyan Prasar were also present on the occasion.
‘International Science film festival of India is playing a crucial role in Science Communication, Popularisation & its Extention (SCoPE),’ said Dr Nakul Parashar, Director, Vigyan Prasar.
Nimish Kapoor, Coordinator, ISFFI-2022, said, “Film entries were invited in four categories related to science, technology, and research & development. Out of 437 entries received, 61 Indian and 33 foreign films have been nominated for the festival. Special screening of award winning science films from India, Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Canada, Israel, Philippines, USA, Australia and other countries will be done at the film festival. There is no participation fee for the film festival. People of all age groups including children and students can come and watch the science films during 21 to 23 January 2023.”
A film – ‘Return of Cheetah’ was screened during the inaugural session of the film festival. This 2.27 minute film has been produced by Creative Channel and Ministry of Forest and Climate Change. The short film beautifully depicts how the return of cheetahs to India is a step towards correcting the man-made ecological fault. Introduction to Namibian Cheetahs Coming to India is a historical event in the world because never a large carnivorous animal migrated from one continent to another. (India Science Wire)