Scientific
ignorance can be a potential obstacle in the journey of India becoming a
developed nation and a knowledge economy. Such ignorance can also be the cause
of various myths, superstitions and blind faiths which can further hinder the
development agenda of any nation. Science Communication can potentially dissipate
scientific ignorance in the society. Science Communication is a rapidly growing
area of expertise both academically and professionally around the globe. It is
getting established as an academic discipline with several
universities/institutions around the world starting academic and research programmes.
Science Communication is an effort to better understand how science and society
interact and to popularise and commonise scientific knowledge, scientific
temper, scientific method of enquiry and scientific culture among the masses. However,
the trends in India are not very encouraging. This article discusses the
emergence of science communication as an academic discipline, its global and
Indian trends, and the need of science communication initiatives, training and
capacity-building in India.
