A high-profile gathering of India’s scientific luminaries and communication experts will convene next week to chart the roadmap for making science accessible to every Indian citizen
In a significant initiative to democratize scientific knowledge and align research with national development goals, Hyderabad will host a landmark National Conclave on January 8, 2026, addressing the critical theme: “Lab to Society: Role of Science Communication in Building Viksit Bharat @ 2047.”
The day-long deliberation, organized jointly by the Academy for Science, Technology and Communication (ASTC) and the Eenadu Group, in association with the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) – Telangana Chapter, promises to be a watershed moment in India’s science communication landscape.
Distinguished Leadership
The conclave will be graced by Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu, the 13th Vice President of India, who will deliver the inaugural address at the Bhaskara Auditorium, B.M. Birla Science Centre. His presence underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the science-society interface as India marches toward its centenary of independence.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, a towering figure in global health governance, will deliver the thematic address as Guest of Honour. Currently chairing the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and serving as Principal Advisor to the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, Dr. Swaminathan brings unparalleled credentials as former Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research and former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization.
Recognizing Excellence
A highlight of the inaugural session will be the felicitation of eminent scientists and distinguished science communicators who have devoted their careers to making science accessible and relevant. Among those being honored are Dr. D. Balasubramanian, former Director of Research at LVPEI and former Director of CCMB; Dr. B.G. Sidharth, Founder Director-General of B.M. Birla Science Centre; and Pallava Bagla, Senior Science Editor at NDTV, whose work has brought complex scientific developments to millions of television viewers.
The event will also celebrate recipients of the Government of India’s highest award, ‘Vigyan Shri,’ including Dr. K. Thangaraj, former Director of CDFD in Biological Sciences, and Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, Director of CSIR-NEERI in Environmental Sciences.
A Comprehensive Agenda
The conclave is structured around four pivotal sessions that span the breadth of India’s scientific achievements and communication challenges.
Session I will spotlight advancements in space and defense sectors, featuring presentations on Chandrayaan 3 and beyond by Dr. J. Kamalakar Rao from ISRO Satellite Centre, India’s major achievements in space sciences, and how defense technologies can benefit society. Dr. SVS. Narayana Murty, Chairman and Managing Director of MIDHANI, will discuss materials research for national strategic programs in the context of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Session II tackles the heart of the matter: the role of science communication in disseminating scientific achievements to the general public. Senior journalist Pallava Bagla will address how to make science and technology a shared national dream, while Dr. Usha Raman from the University of Hyderabad will offer perspectives on mainstreaming science journalism from an academic viewpoint.
Session III shifts focus to health and nutrition, with Dr. Subba Rao M Gavaravarapu from ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition examining the constant communication dilemma between facts and fiction in nutrition policies. Dr. D. Raghunadha Rao will discuss preparing for the rising tide of non-communicable diseases, a critical challenge for India’s healthcare system.
The day will culminate in Session IV, a panel discussion titled “Discovery to Dialogue: Reimagining Science Communication for a Sustainable Future.” This promises to be a dynamic exchange featuring scientists, journalists, and communication professionals, including representatives from CSIR, All India Radio, and leading media organizations.
The Viksit Bharat Connection
The conclave’s timing is deliberate. As India sets its sights on becoming a developed nation by 2047 – the centenary of independence – the role of science communication becomes paramount. The gap between laboratory breakthroughs and public understanding remains one of India’s persistent challenges, often resulting in the slow adoption of beneficial technologies, the spread of pseudoscience, and missed opportunities for evidence-based policymaking.
The event will also mark the release of “ASTC-Communications,” a publication expected to serve as a resource for science communicators across the country.
Building Bridges
Dr. Ch. Mohan Rao, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council of ASTC and Chairman of NASI-Telangana Chapter, will deliver presidential remarks, while Dr. R.B.N. Prasad, Honorary President of ASTC, will provide context about the conclave’s objectives.
The gathering brings together an impressive cross-section of India’s scientific establishment, from former vice-chancellors and DRDO chiefs to industry leaders like Dr. Pavuluri Subba Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of Ananth Technologies Ltd., and media veterans including Sri M. Nageswara Rao, Editor of Eenadu.
A Call to Action
As India’s scientific capabilities expand—from lunar missions to indigenous defense technologies, from genomics to environmental sciences—the imperative to communicate these achievements effectively has never been greater. This conclave represents not just a celebration of past successes but a strategic planning exercise for the future.
The outcomes and recommendations from this gathering are expected to influence policy directions, educational curricula, and media practices in the years ahead. For a nation aspiring to technological self-reliance and sustainable development, ensuring that scientific literacy and engagement permeate all levels of society is not optional—it is essential.
The National Conclave on Science Communication stands as a testament to this recognition, bringing together the finest minds to ensure that the journey from lab to society becomes shorter, clearer, and more impactful.
- NSH Digi Desk
- The event begins at 9:30 AM on January 8, 2026, at the Bhaskara Auditorium, B.M. Birla Science Centre, Hyderabad. Registration starts at 8:30 AM.
- Interested may contact CL Narasimha Rao, Organizing Secretary.
email: astc.academy@gmail.com
