MANTHAN NARMADA LOK-VIGYAN KENDRA
Supported by GUJCOST, Government of Gujarat
‘Manthan Narmada Lok Vigyaan Kendra’ , a community science centre is a programme initiated by Manthan with an aim towards generating awareness amongst the people of Narmada district of Gujarat state and is supported by Government of Gujarat. It conducts about 300 activities per year that emphasizes hands on approach for various activities such as astronomy, sky observation, science posters, and science workshops, featuring interactive exhibits in the science exhibitions that encourage children to learn and explore more. There are a number of programmes like ‘vigyan safar’, Sunday schools, tuitions, demonstrations, learning science while playing thorough which learning science is not only made easy but also interesting in a way to encourage more and more children. Around 40,000 children are benefited through this initiative. Their work has been recognized on a state as well as national level too.
MANTHAN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME SOCIETY, INDIA
Manthan, the brain-child of late
Mr. Ramesh Kothari, was established as a not for profit organization with an aim to eradicate the qualms of science by developing a scientific temper in the young minds and the members of communities.
Manthan gives great significance to curiosity in minds of students, educators and trainees for experiential learning through various expressive mediums – initially through folk art like puppet shows followed by educational tools, radio programs, exhibitions and by creating a massive outreach programme through Hands-on activities and resourceful kits. The goal is to simplify and give quality outreach in the field of science and communication mostly for the youth and the community.
Manthan Narmada Lok-Vigyan Kendra is a science centre initiated by Manthan Educational Programme Society, India with the support of GUJCOST, Government of Gujarat, to make science more accessible and understandable to the tribal and rural communities of Narmada district, Gujatat.
BACKGROUND
Apart from such activities, the science centre also conduct awareness programmes regarding certain issues like gender equality, climatic changes, pollution control and the understanding of biodiversity, human evolution etc. With the objective to promote development, Manthan links science and technology to different community activities through this science centre to provide benefits to the rural people in the field to generate a large number of employments.
Also, Manthan develops the resource materials used in the science centre by itself which are region specific. The team members visit to all the 4 talukas of Narmada district to conduct different activities on a regular basis. All these activities are also promoted in the district’s 75 registered schools. The idea behind linking science and technology to these various activities is that it benefits the community as a whole, from the students who can now enjoy learning science to the elders by generating employment.