Indradhanush

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Indradhanush
Science made fun for kids
November 2004
January 2005
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Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti (HGVS) All India
Peoples Science Network (AIPSN)
the All-India People's Science Network (AIPSN), a
loose coalition of people's science groups around
the country, was formed in 1988. Today, the AIPSN
comprises 40 organizations in 22 States committed
to the use of science to promote equitable and
sustainable development. Together, they reach an
estimated 18,000 villages spread over 300
districts. The network has brought together
students, school and college teachers,
scientists, professional experts, writers,
workers, farmers, political activists and
thinkers on a single platform. Bharat Gyan
vigyan Samiti is one of the 40 member
organizations of AIPSN - in himachal it is called
Himachal Gyan vigyan Samiti
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Why childrens science magazine??

• The People's Science Movement reached the heart
  of the Hindi belt, in thousands of its
  villages, through the literacy and related
  campaigns. But the agenda started by literacy
  campaigns is still unfinished - it hasnt
  reached the kids yet.
• Our rural children have nothing to read other
  than their textbooks that suffer from all the
  ills pervading the education system. No other
  print media reaches our villages.
• Any serious publishing efforts in the Hindi
  belt are starving because of lack of
  encouragement, availability of money or reading
  culture, with the elite sections of society
  having turned to English.

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So what is this magazine like?

• This is a challenge in front of the PSM, and out
  of this challenge is born the idea of a dream
  childrens magazine. A magazine that reaches each
  and every household, particularly the rural
  household, to every child who can read.
• It has to be a magazine which children can
  love. A magazine that can be children's friend.
  It is fun and joy to be with. It is a source or
  wonder and fantasy.
• Stories, poems, cartoons, descriptions,
  activities, puzzles, jokes....joyful
  illustrations and pictures.
• Plus many do-it-yourself things and make-
  your-own-toys.
• Plus characters that question and challenge
  injustices and inequalities, face difficult
  societal questions and conflicts.
• Inspiring stories of extraordinary humans.
• The magazine must throw challenges to the
  childs intellect and inquisitiveness. Make the
  child think and question the natural as well as
  the social world around him/her.

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How is HGVS publicizing it?

• Agents with commissions.
• Volunteers (who feel more of an owenership than
  agents)
• Schools ---- principals ----libraries.
• Assemblies -- address the kids
• Director of education in mandi district
• free complimentary copies for the libraries
• Different melas and functions

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Resource material for the magazine

• contacted university professors/journalists/scien
  tists/nature experts
• Books/Encyclopaedias
• Some writers have themselves started sending
  poems
• Padma, a writer for an english childrens
  magazine (Gokulam) has recently
• agreed to send articles for one year
• AIPSN member organizations

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AID - Boston and Indradhanush

• Monetary
• Non-monetary

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Current Status

• AID-Blacksburg has funded 2200 to different
  districts in HP.
• We have contacted Anbumani from Blacksburg to
  find out if they are interested in working with
  us, he has responded in positive and we will be
  co-ordinating with him soon.
• Widely publicise about Indradhanush -
• Create a Website for attracting more donor
  subscriptions
• Post Sample magazine pages in the website instead
  of the whole magazines. These pages will be
  accompanied by their translation to enable
  non-hindi-reading donors to know what the
  magazine is about.
• Publicize the website through internet
  advertisements and articles in India New
  England,Lokvani etc.
• Note We may get more publicity via
  AID-Blacksburg too, once the collaboration
  starts.

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Current Status contd

• Help with content
• Have created an email account for Indradanush so
  that all articles from various sources can be
  sent to that address.
• Indradanush_at_gmail.com
• Anshumala is going to send a detailed list of
  different categories she needs contribution for
• a) Articles/Poems
• B) Illustrations
• c) Cover page of the magazine - graphics
• d) translations of good english articles
• Notemost of the magazines have a stock of almost
  6 months worth of material .

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