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Tag: Kapil Sibal

  • Govt fully backs freedom of expression for online media: Sibal

    Govt fully backs freedom of expression for online media: Sibal

    NEW DELHI: Communication and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal has reiterated that the country is ‘wedded to the freedom of expression’.

    Delivering the keynote address at the Google Big Tent Activate summit here, he underlined that the Internet is the most important and transformative forum. Underlining the power of the internet as a most inclusive medium, as there are no borders on the net, he stated we must move slowly but surely towards making internet the equinet.

    Sibal underlined the three important points for making the internet a truly empowering, transformational and inclusive force. He said from the point of view of the State, “we must have an enabling framework and rules and regulations must not come in the way of the growth of the net”. Secondly, he said networks in terms of fibre-optics and also wireless must be developed to facilitate access to the net. Thirdly, he said affordable access devices are needed for a true inclusive transformational internet revolution. Sibal also said that it will be truly transformative, if through the internet, we can reach people in their traditional languages.

    Google’s Big Tent Activate Summit aims to address questions like: Can India gain a global competitive edge by enabling the full economic potential of the Internet?; Will the Internet dilute Indian culture, or can it help preserve and share it locally and globally?; How is the Internet already changing the democratic process, and what will happen as many more constituents come online? The debate has become relevant in the wake of India‘s growing online population.

  • National Award for Miditech co-founder Niret Alva

    National Award for Miditech co-founder Niret Alva

    MUMBAI: Miditech co-founder Niret Alva has been awarded the National Award for his ‘Outstanding Effort in Science and Technology in the Electronic Medium’. President APJ Abdul Kalam hosted a special felicitation ceremony for the winners and was also attended by Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal and R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor.

    The National Awards instituted in 1988 by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Ministry of Science and Technology encourages and recognizes efforts in the area of science popularization.

    Alva was presented the award for using the electronic medium to powerfully convey the traditional science and current developments in the country.

    Accepting the award Alva said, “I am truly overwhelmed by this moment. I wish to thank the Government of India for giving me this honor and recognition. It will be my endeavor to continue using the electronic medium in a more progressive and powerful manner”.

    He has developed and built major brands like Indian Idol, Galli Galli Sim Sim (Sesame Street), Wheels, and Living on the Edge. Alva has also anchored travel shows (Great Escape), automobile (Wheels) and environment (Living on the Edge and Earth Report).

    Niret Alva will also be representing India at the Asia 21 Young Leaders Forum in Kochi from 3 to 5 March. Alva had earlier chaired the first session of the Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit in Seoul last year where the focus was on value-based leadership.

    The Asia 21 initiative unites professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region representing varied spheres, ranging from business and politics to media, arts and culture. The meet in Kochi is designed to share and discuss best practices in leadership and problem solving.

    Excited at representing India at the Asia 21, Niret Alva said “I am honored to be a part of this forum. This is a great opportunity for me to interact and collaborate with dynamic people from various regions and understand the challenges faced by our society. I hope to contribute to this forum to the best of my experience and knowledge. “

    The first meeting of this year’s class of fellows will address topics related to protecting cultural heritage, human security, environmental protection, economic development, corporate social responsibility, public health issues.

    Shaffi Mather, Malini Mether and Logsang Sangay are other delegates chosen to represent India at the forum.

  • NGC unveils ‘Science Safari’ in Kannada

    NGC unveils ‘Science Safari’ in Kannada

    BANGALORE: The ministry of science and technology (MS&T) and National Geographic Channel today unveiled the Kannada version of ‘Science Safari’, a film that showcases Indian science and technology through the unique Nat Geo perspective. The film is a part of the year long campaign announced by the ministry and NGC earlier this year to promote Indian science and technology.

    The 48-minute film is directed by Nutan Manmohan and produced by All Time Productions in close association with NGC at a cost of around Rs 20 million. Funded by the MS&T, it showcases a mix of scientific achievements across India and presents various innovations made by well known Indian scientists and some unknown inventors in a travelogue format.

    The English version of this film has already premiered on NGC on 26 September and will also be telecast on Doordarshan. The film is also being dubbed into various Indian regional languages to reach out to a wider audience. The Kannada version is the first in the regional language series and will also be telecast on Doordarshan’s Kannada channel.

    A 360-degree campaign encompassing both on-air and off-air initiatives to promote the film will be also launched. On air promotion initiatives will include programme promos on NGC and The History Channel pre and post the premiere of the film and telecast of a special compilation of the channel’s best science and technology programming.

    The channel will also run informative scrollers, factoids, vignettes and 15 short films throughout the year on Indian science and technology.

    An extensive school outreach programme will also be initiated to generate further interest about Indian science and technology through this film.

    Meanwhile, Union minister for science and technology Kapil Sibal announced that a dedicated science and technology channel was being considered to start operations over the next four to five years.

    Sibal was in Bangalore today to receive the Kannada version of the ‘Science Safari’ film funded by his ministry and made through the NGC perspective. Sibal has plans for a number of similar projects that will showcase Indian science and technology capability.

    “India is making great strides in the field of science and technology today, innovation and creativity are the most important assets for our future. Through this programme, we want to create more awareness amongst the people of our country, especially children about our achievements in this field and to encourage the spirit of scientific inquiry,” he said while commenting on the 48 minute Science Safari.

    Sibal expressed satisfaction with the work done by NGC on Science Safari, hailing the association as a sort of a public private partnership, while NGC vp marketing Rajesh Seshadhri said that this was the first time that such an association had happened.

    Sibal said that after the telecast of the Science Safari, his ministry has received a number of proposals from many channels for producing similar films, and that his ministry would consider the offers. Upon being questioned about these developments, Seshadhri said that his channel was committed to creating content on Indian science and technology irrespective of the government’s participation.