New programme on science from Feb 1

Tirupati: Do snakes drink milk? How are clouds formed? Why are space suits essential for space travel? How do ants identify their nests? Why is cycle not falling while moving? These questions along with several others would be the focus of All India Radio’s new programme “Adagandi–Telusukondi”.

Betting big on concepts of ‘everyday science’ AIR has introduced several programmes with this one being latest offering for the listeners. While the previous programme on Star Gazing, “Randi–Chusoddam Taramandalam” focussed on clearing doubts pertaining to various phenomenon related space. This programme would address the doubts that arise in everyday life to people of all ages and sections.

For this, AIR is teaming up with Regional Science Centre (RSC) towards the implementation of the programme. To answer various questions both AIR and RSC was making a panel of experts from various fields like medicine, technology, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, bio-technology and other subjects. AIR Station Assistant Director–Programmes, Nagasuri Venugopal claimed, “this is a unique programme in South India.

No other station has ventured to organise such a programme so far”. Under the new programme, AIR–RSC inviting questions from the public. These can be sent through post card or email, or Facebook. They can write their questions in the registers to be kept at AIR and RSC for the purpose.

AIR will take care of segregating them subject wise and send to concerned experts for answers. They will organise a programme at RSC, where concerned experts will answer the questions. The programme will be recorded and edited to broadcast through AIR, Tirupati Station. While the recording is to be held in the last week of every month, it will be aired by AIR, Tirupati on every Thursday at 5.30 pm. The first such programme can be heard on February 1 for which the recording will be held on January 29.

On this occasion, the AIR organised a preparatory meeting on Wednesday with several experts. Expressing their opinions on the programme they observed that science communication is extremely important. A module on this is the need of the hour. The programme should target more school children as clearing their doubts on day-to-day scientific matters will enhance their knowledge on science which is witnessing a sea change.

In the learning process, questioning is very important which is a first step towards acquiring knowledge. “What we were experiencing in our day-to-day life, we do not know how they are happening. Though they have doubts they don’t know how to clear them,” the speakers observed.

Particularly young minds need to be encouraged to ask questions as they have much curiosity to know something. In this process as nobody is expert in every field, a team of experts can answer questions in a better way. Those interested to ask questions may send them to adagandiair@gmail.com.

Those participated in the preparatory meeting include, Prof R Rama Murthy, Prof M Bhaskar, Prof V Kalarani, Dr B Vengamma, Dr Vanaja, Dr V Sundar Raja, Ranganayakulu, Prof Savithramma, Manigandan, Durgaiah, Prof Chandrasekhar Reddy and others. AIR programme executive M Sudhakar Mohan welcomed the gathering.

By V Pradeep Kumar