In news

A policy on Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) would be in place in the next few months to create new interfaces between science and society

Challange

Communication of science to society at large is a major challenge

Highlights

• Connecting science to society can make S&T one of the strongest pillars for peace and development. 
• Science needs to reach the masses so that it can be used as a major tool for peace and development.
• Ten different programmes run by the DST like CURIE (Consolidation of University Research for Innovation & Excellence in Women Universities) and Vigyan Jyoti to create a level-playing field for women to encourage and help them make inroads into the field of science, technology and innovation.
• World Science Day, is celebrated on November 10. The theme this year being ‘Sciencefor and with Society.
• Dr Sanjay Mishra, Head - KIRAN Division, DST elaborated about DST’s KIRAN programme, which helps empowering women in science.

KIRAN programme

• Department of Science and Technology (DST) has started several pioneering initiatives for promoting women in science.
• In the year 2014, DST restructured all women-specific programmes under one umbrella called Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN).
• It encompasses women-exclusive schemes and encourages them to foster their career by undertaking research in Science and Technology (S&T) and also focusing on S&T solutions of issues & challenges at the grassroots level for social benefits.
• The mandate of KIRAN Program is to bring gender parity in S&T through gender mainstreaming.