Utilization of solar eclipse for S&T popularization : NCSTC's efforts and future programs

Abstract

Built around the event of the Total Solar Eclipse of October 24, 1995, NCSTC and Vigyan Prasar jointly undertook a countrywide programme on popularization of Astronomy in particular and S&T in general, addressing at the same time superstitions and unscientific beliefs associated with this natural phenomenon. A number of activities for school children and the general public were organized in different States with active participation of State S&T Councils/Departments; and were co-ordinated by NCSTC and Vigyan Prasar. A variety of software was produced and disseminated. Described in this paper briefly are NCSTC's efforts and the future programmes on Astronomy popularization in particular and S&T in general