02:00 - 02:05 PM IST
Context setting
Siuli Mitra
This roundtable will bring together a diverse group of individuals, institutions, and collectives across India who are actively engaged in communicating science to the public in Indian languages. The goal is to initiate a series of community-driven, informal discussions that will explore the challenges and opportunities in this field.
Through this meeting, we aim to better understand ongoing initiatives in terms of the barriers and enablers that practitioners experience, the audiences they engage with, their views on impact, and meaningful ways for collaboration, capacity building, and institutional support.
What will be IndiaBioscience’s role?
IndiaBioscience will serve solely as a facilitator for these discussions, providing a platform for open and inclusive dialogue. The organisation’s involvement is limited to enabling these conversations, to listen and learn from the community.
These sessions will help IndiaBioscience reflect on how it can contribute more effectively to this space in the future, moving beyond the role of a funder to become a more active and responsive supporter of science communication in Indian languages.
Date: 18 July 2025 | Friday
Time: 02:00 PM — 03:30 PM IST
This session aims to be both informative and interactive.
For queries related to this online event or to share your ideas ahead of the event, write to hello[at]indiabioscience[dot]org.
To register, please follow the link: bit.ly/RTibs
Registration is free and open to all.
Context setting
Siuli Mitra
The need for and future of Scicomm in Indian languages
Kollegala Sharma
When a bird becomes family: Changing perception through culture and behaviour change
Purnima Devi Barman
Discussion moderated by IndiaBioscience | Open to all
Sreshtha Mondal
Concluding remarks
Moumita Mazumdar
Kollegala Sharma, a science communicator and writer in Kannada, has authored 3,500+ articles, 200 radio dramas, 9 books, and 800 science podcasts. A former CSIR-CFTRI chief scientist, he pioneered India’s first Kannada science podcast. He’s a trainer, translator, and editor of Kutuhali magazine. Sharma has received top honours from the Karnataka Government and Karnataka Science and Technology Academy for his contributions to popular science and science communication.
Purnima Devi Barman is a wildlife biologist from Assam, known for conserving the endangered greater adjutant stork. Founder of the all-women Hargila Army, she blends community engagement with conservation. Her efforts have transformed local perceptions and boosted stork populations. She has received numerous honours, including the UNEP Champions of the Earth, Whitley Gold Award (2024), and India’s Nari Shakti Puraskar. Barman was named one of Time’s Women of the Year in 2025.