राष्ट्रीय परिचर्चा:विज्ञान कथा - अतीत, वर्तमान एवं भविष्य !

राष्ट्रीय परिचर्चा - एक रिपोर्ट

विज्ञान कथा - अतीत, वर्तमान एवं भविष्य
मंचासीन अतिथि (बाएं से -सर्वश्री वाई .एच .देशपांडे ,डॉ .मनोज पटैरिया (अध्यक्ष ) ,प्रोफेसर एस एन दुबे (मुख्य अतिथि ),हेमंत कुमार ,सुश्री डॉ मधु पन्त ,डॉ राजीव रंजन उपाध्याय ,डॉ अरविन्द मिश्रा (संयोजक)

नवम्बर माह (10-14 नवम्बर, 08) में संजय मोटेल्स एण्ड रिसोट्र्स, बाबतपुर, वाराणसी में उक्त विषयक पहली राष्ट्रीय परिचर्चा सम्पन्न हुई जिसमें देश के कई प्रान्तों से विज्ञान कथाकारों/समीक्षकों ने प्रतिभाग किया। यह आयोजन राष्ट्रीय विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी संचार परिषद, नई दिल्ली, (रा0पि0प्रौ0सं0प0) भारतीय विज्ञान कथा लेखक समिति, फैजाबाद, उ0प्र0 तथा भारतीय विज्ञान कथा अध्ययन समिति, वेल्लोर के संयुक्त प्रयासों से आहूत हुआ।
आयोजन की शुरूआत दिनांक 10 नवम्बर, 08 को प्रात: प्रतिभागियों के आगमन एवं अपराह्न में मैदागिन स्थित पराड़कर स्मृति भवन में संयोजित पत्रकार वार्ता से हुई जिसे रा0वि0प्रौ0सं0प0 के निदेशक एवं वैज्ञानिक `एफ´ डा0 मनोज पटैरिया और भारतीय विज्ञान कथा लेखक समिति, फैजाबाद के अध्यक्ष डा0 राजीव रंजन उपाध्याय ने सम्बोधित किया। सायंकालीन कार्यक्रमों की शुरूआत विज्ञान कथाकार ज़ीशान हैदर ज़ैदी लिखित हास्य विज्ञान नाटक `बुड्ढ़ा फ्यूचर´ के पुतल रूपान्तर के मंचन से हुआ जिसे लखनऊ से आये पुतलकार श्री अरशद उमर तथा सहयोगियों द्वारा प्रभावपूर्ण तरीके से प्रस्तुत किया गया। तदनन्तर अमेरिकी फिल्म पटकथा लेखक और प्रोड्यूसर मार्क लुन्ड द्वारा खास तौर पर राष्ट्रीय परिचर्चा में ही दिखाने हेतु प्रेषित लघु फिल्म 'फर्स्ट वर्ल्ड ' का प्रीमियर शो भी हुआ। इस फिल्म की कथा धरती पर चोरी छिपे आ चुके परग्रही वासियों से सम्बन्धित है। यह फिल्म प्रतिभागी दर्शकों को बेहद पसन्द आई। रात्रि भोज के पूर्व डा0 मनोज पटैरिया द्वारा प्रतिभागियों को सम्बोधित अपने स्वागत उद्बोधन में विज्ञान कथा के समकालीन भारतीय परिदृश्य का ब्योरा प्रस्तुत करते हुये उनके वाराणसी आगमन पर शुभाशंसायें व्यक्त की गई।
यह राष्ट्रीय परिचर्चा विश्व विज्ञान दिवस पर आरम्भ हो रही थी अत: आयोजकों द्वारा इस अवसर को रेखांकित करने की दृष्टि से, चेन्नई से पधारे वैज्ञानिक डा0 नेल्लई एस मुथू के सायंकालीन व्याख्यान, `चन्द्रमा: तथ्य एवं कल्पना´ का भी समुचित प्रावधान किया गया था जिसमें चन्द्र विजय अभियानों की विस्तृत जानकारी दी गई। तदनन्तर परिचर्चा के समन्वयक/संयोजक डा0 अरविन्द मिश्र द्वारा परिचर्चा के स्परूप एवं प्रक्रिया सम्बन्धी जानकारी दी गई।
नवम्बर 08 को प्रात: 10 बजे से उद्घाटन सत्र का आरंभ हुआ जिसके मुख्य अतिथि जे0आर0एच0 विश्वविद्यालय के कुलपति और प्रसिद्ध गणितज्ञ प्रोफेसर एस0एन0 दूबे थे। मराठी विज्ञान कथा लेखक डा0 वाई0एच0 देशपाण्डे ने विषय प्रवर्तन करते हुये भारतीय परिप्रेक्ष्य में विज्ञान कथा की जड़ों को तलाशते हुये पुराणों तथा विज्ञान कथाओं के साम्य की ओर इशारा किया। विशिष्ट अतिथि, बाल भवन, दिल्ली की पूर्व निदेशक डा0 मधु पन्त ने बच्चों के लिये रोचक विज्ञान कथाओं के प्रणयन पर जोर दिया। लखनऊ से आये प्रसिद्ध साहित्यकार और विशिष्ट अतिथि श्री हेमन्त कुमार ने विधागत विज्ञान कथा (GENRE SF ) और मुख्य धारा (MAINSTRAEM) के साहित्य में विज्ञान कथा की वर्तमान दशा और दिशा पर प्रतिभागियों का ध्यानाकर्षण कराया। मुख्य अतिथि प्रोफेसर एस0एन0 दूबे ने पश्चिमी विज्ञान कथा साहित्य और भारतीय विज्ञान कथा के कई तुलनात्मक पहलुओं की चर्चा की और इस विधा को भारत में विकसित करने के लिये समवेत प्रयासों का आह्वान किया। उन्होंने कहा कि भारतीय विज्ञान कथा को विश्व मंच पर प्रतििष्ठत करने के प्रयासों में हमें अपने आंचलिक भाषाई आग्रहों को त्यागना होगा।
उद्घाटन सत्र में ही विज्ञान कथा के अनन्य प्रेमी और माननीय उच्च न्यायालय इलाहाबाद के न्यायमूर्ति श्री यतीन्द्र सिंह का विद्वतापूर्ण आलेख ``साइंस फिक्शन: द पाइड पाइपर आफ साइंस´´ को बतौर संदेश पढ़कर श्रोताओं को सुनाया गया और आलेख की प्रति भी वितरित की गई। मुख्य अतिथि द्वारा डा0 रत्नाकर डी0 भेलकर (महाराष्ट्र) श्री हरीश गोयल (राजस्थान) तथा जीशान हैदर जैदी की विज्ञान कथा की पुस्तकों क्रमश:, `साइंस फिक़्शन: फैन्टेसी एण्ड रियलिटी´, `एक और ययाति´, कम्प्यूटर की मौत´ का विमोचन भी किया गया। डा0 मनोज पटैरिया ने अपने अध्यक्षीय सम्बोधन में विज्ञान कथा के उन्नयन की दिशा में रा0वि0प्रौ0सं0प0, विज्ञान प्रसार एवं अन्तर्जाल पर याहू विज्ञान कथा फोरम तथा भारतीय विज्ञान कथा लेखक समिति एवं भारतीय विज्ञान अध्ययन समिति वेल्लोर के योगदानों को रेखांकित किया तथा कहा कि अब यहा¡ विज्ञान कथा के लिये उपयुक्त वातावरण तैयार हो रहा है। उन्होंने विज्ञान कथा को शैक्षणिक कक्षाओं और आम जन तक ले जाने के अभिनव विचारों/नवाचारों का स्वागत किया। डा0 राजीव रंजन उपाध्याय ने अतिथियों को धन्यवाद ज्ञापित किया। उद्घाटन सत्र केे ठीक पश्चात मुख्य अतिथि एवं अन्य प्रतिभागियों द्वारा भारतीय भाषाओं में विज्ञान कथा के प्रकाशनों की प्रदर्शनी का भी अवलोकन किया गया।
पहले तकनीकी सत्र का विषय था- विज्ञान कथा का ऐतिहासिक परिप्रेक्ष्य। इस सत्र की अध्यक्षता प्रोफेसर एस0एम0 गुप्ता (राजस्थान) ने किया। इस सत्र में डा0 गौहर रजा (दिल्ली) ने `विज्ञान और कल्पना के अन्तर्सबन्धों तथा स्वप्नद्रष्टा की भूमिका´ पर अपना शोध आलेख पढ़ा। उन्होंंने भविष्यद्रष्टा विज्ञान कथाकार को भी समाज में एक प्रतििष्ठत स्थान/पद पर स्थापित करने की पुरजोर वकालत की। डा0 अरविन्द दुबे (लखनऊ) ने विश्व एवं भारत की पहली विज्ञान कथा कौन है, इस विषय पर विमर्श करते हुये मेरी शैली की `फ्रैन्केन्स्टीन´ को पहली विज्ञान कथा की पदवी से उतारने की सिफारिश की। डा0 अरूल अरम (चेन्नई) ने एच0जी0 वेल्स के उपन्यासों में भविष्य चित्रण के पहलू की चर्चा की। डा0 नेलई मुथू (चेन्नई) ने विज्ञान कथाओं के परिप्रेक्ष्य में चन्द्रमा पर मानव विजय के कई पहलुओं को उजागर किया। इस सत्र की सारांशक सुश्री रीमा सरवाल (दिल्ली) थीं।
भोजनोपरान्त दूसरे तकनीकी सत्र `विज्ञान कथा एक संज्ञानात्मक पहलू´ की अध्यक्षता बाल भवन नई दिल्ली की पूर्व निदेशक डा0 मधु पन्त (दिल्ली) द्वारा की गई। इस सत्र की सारांशक थींं डा0 गीता बी (राजस्थान)। इस सत्र में डा0 सी0एम0 नौटियाल (लखनऊ) ने विज्ञान कथा, फिक्शन और फंतासी के बारीक अन्तर को उदाहरणों से स्पष्ट किया। डा0 एम0 थिरुमनी (चेन्नई) ने विज्ञान की समझ बढ़ाने में विज्ञान कथा के संभावित योगदान की चर्चा की। श्री हरीश गोयल (राजस्थान) ने विभिन्न शैक्षणिक पाठ्यक्रमों में विज्ञान कथा के समावेश की प्रासंगिकता पर अपना आलेख पढ़ा। मेहरदाद अनासेरी (ईरान) ने कतिपय पश्चिमी विज्ञान कथा साहित्य के भारतीय निहिताथोंZ की चर्चा की। श्री विष्णु प्रसाद चतुर्वेदी (राजस्थान) ने विज्ञान कथा के स्परूप और परिभाषा के मसले पर अपने विचार व्यक्त किये। अमित सरवाल (दिल्ली) ने शैक्षणिक परिवेश में विज्ञान कथा की भूमिका को महत्वपूर्ण बताया तो श्री कमलेश श्रीवास्तव (फैजाबाद, उ0प्र0) ने विज्ञान की जन समझ में विज्ञान कथाओं की उपयोगिता पर प्रकाश डाला।
तीसरा तकनीकी सत्र विज्ञान कथा की नवीन प्रवृत्तियों पर आहूत था। इस सत्र की अध्यक्षता डा0 विभावरी देशपाण्डे (महाराष्ट्र) ने किया तथा डा0 तरलिका त्रिवेदी (गुजरात) ने सारांशक की भूमिका निभाई। पढ़े गये शोध आलेखों में, जापान और बंगाल के विज्ञान कथा साहित्य में अद्भुत साम्य पर सुश्री अन्वेषा माईती (पश्चिम बंगाल), तीसरी दुनिया¡ की विज्ञान कथा में उत्तर औपनिवेशिक प्रभावों पर सुश्री रीमा सरवाल (दिल्ली), बच्चों के लिये विज्ञान कथा साहित्य की समालोचना पर श्री जाकिर अली `रजनीश´ द्वारा प्रस्तुतिया¡ की गई। सुश्री एम0 श्रीविद्या एवं श्री एम0वेन्केडेशन (चेन्नई), श्री एम0 वैलीगन्थम्स एवं श्री एन0एस0 सम्पथ कुमार (चेन्नई) ने विज्ञान कथा फिल्मों पर अपने शोध पत्र पढ़े। डा0 रत्नाकर डी भेलकर (महाराष्ट्र) ने आर्थर सी क्लार्क के उपन्यासों में परग्रही सभ्यताओं के वर्णन का वृत्तान्त प्रस्तुत किया। इसी सत्र में मुख्य धारा की विज्ञान कथाओं पर अमित कुमार (गोरखपुर) तथा श्री जयप्रकाश (चेन्नई) ने भी अपने शोध पत्र पढ़े।
हाल ही में दिवंगत हुये जुरैसिक पार्क सरीखी फिल्म से भारत में विज्ञान कथा को लोकप्रिय बनाने वाले माइकेल क्रिख्टन की स्मृति में सायंकाल भारत रत्न मरहूम उस्ताद बिसमिल्ला खा¡ के भतीजे उस्ताद अली अब्बास खान के शहनाई वादन से इस महान विज्ञान कथाकार को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि दी गई और प्रोफेसर एस0एम0 गुप्ता द्वारा एक शोक प्रस्ताव भी पढ़ा गया। डा0 अरविन्द दुबे ने विज्ञान कथाओं में अन्तरिक्ष पर रोचक व्याख्यान भी दिया।
राष्ट्रीय परिचर्चा के तीसरे दिन आहूत चतुर्थ तकनीकी सत्र `विज्ञान संचार के लिए विज्ञान कथा´ की अध्यक्षता श्री जी0एस0 उनीकृष्णन नायर (केरल) द्वारा की गई तथा सारांशक डा0 अफरीना रिजवी (अलीगढ़) रहीं। डा0 गीता बी (राजस्थान) ने शिक्षण की एक जुगत के रूप में विज्ञान कथाओं का एक लेखा-जोखा प्रस्तुत किया। श्री हरीश यादव (राजस्थान) ने विज्ञान कथाओं के रेडियो रुपान्तर तथा सुश्री मीनू खरे (लाखनऊ) ने रेडियो द्वारा विज्ञान कथा के माध्यम से विज्ञान के संचार पर अपने शोध आलेख पढ़े। डा0 अफरीना रिजवी ने विज्ञान कथाओं में विज्ञान की पड़ताल की। डा0 पी0एफ0 नवराज (मदुरै) ने विज्ञान संचार पर विज्ञान कथाओं के प्रभाव का एक आकलन प्रस्तुत किया। डा0 मनोज मिश्रा (जौनपुर, उ0प्र0) ने आम जन तक विज्ञान कथा की पहु¡च सुनिश्चित करने के नवाचारों का व्योरा दिया।
पांचवें सत्र `विज्ञान कथा के भविष्यत परिप्रेक्ष्य´ की अध्यक्षता गोरखपुर विश्वविद्यालय, उ0प्र0 के पूर्व हिन्दी विभागाध्यक्ष प्रोफेसर आर0डी0 शुक्ला ने किया। इस सत्र में सबसे पहले श्री हेमन्त कुमार (लखनऊ) ने मुख्य धारा के हिन्दी विज्ञान कथाओं का एक संकलित विवरण प्रस्तुत करते हुये यह निष्कर्ष प्रस्तुत किया कि विज्ञान कथाओं में वे सभी साहिित्यक तत्व मौजूद हैं जिनके जरिये यह विधा हिन्दी के मुख्य धारा के साहित्य में सहज ही प्रतिष्ठा प्राप्त कर सकती है। डा0 तरलिका त्रिवेदी ने `विज्ञान कथा और व्यवहारिक दृष्टिकोण´ विषय पर अपना आलेख पढ़ा जिसमें इस बात पर जोर दिया गया था कि विज्ञान कथाओं के जरिये समाज की नई समस्यायें दूर हो सकेंगी। सुश्री बुशरा अलवेरा ने विज्ञान कथाओं की भविष्योन्मुखता पर अपने मौलिक विचार प्रकट किये और इस कथन को रेखांकित किया कि विज्ञान कथायें सचमुच भविष्य के समाज का दर्पण हैं। श्री जी0एस0 श्रीकृष्णा (केरल) ने विज्ञान कथाओं में आम आदमी तक विज्ञान को ले जाने की अन्तनिZहित क्षमता का व्योरा दिया। श्री कमलेश मेना (राजस्थान) ने मीडिया के जरिये विज्ञान कथा संचार की रुपरेखा प्रस्तुत की। आकाशवाणी लखनऊ की कार्यक्रम अधिशासी सुश्री मीनू खरे ने सत्र का सारांश तैयार किया।
भोजनोपरान्त निवर्तमान एअर वाइस मार्शल श्री विश्वमोहन तिवारी की अध्यक्षता एवं श्री हेमन्त कुमार के संयोजन में उक्त तकनीकी सत्रों में पढ़े गये आलेखों से उभरकर आये कई मुद्दों पर विस्तृत विवेचना के लिये समानान्तर परिचर्चा टोलिया¡ गठित हुई। समानान्तर परिचर्चा टोलियों में विज्ञान कथा की परिभाषा, भारतीय स्वरूप और संभावनाओं, विज्ञान कथा में मानवीय मूल्यों का आग्रह, इस विधा की भौगोलिक/सांस्कृतिक सापेक्षता (या निरपेक्षता), विधागत या मुख्यधारा की विज्ञान कथा की विशिष्टताओं, विज्ञान कथा की वैश्विक एवं भारतीय (देशज) प्रवृत्तियों और कई अन्य परिप्रेक्ष्य तथा प्राथमिकताओं पर गहन विचार विमर्श हुआ जिससे विज्ञान कथा के बनारस दस्तावेज 08, के अभिलेखन का मार्ग प्रशस्त हुआ।
डा0 मनोज पटैरिया की अध्यक्षता में `विज्ञान कथा के बनारस दस्तावेज, 08´ को मूर्त रूप देने के लिये गठित पैनेल में डा0 राजीव रंजन उपाध्याय, सुश्री डा0 गीता बी0, सुश्री रीमा सरवाल, डा0 तरलिका त्रिवेदी, डा0 अफरीना रिजवी, सुश्री मीनू खरे, जी0के0 मोहन, श्री विष्णु प्रसाद चतुर्वेदी द्वारा इस महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेज को तैयार करने का काम आरंभ हो गया है जो शीघ्र ही तैयार होकर जन सुलभ हो सकेगा।
उक्त गहन अकादमिक गतिविधियों के उपरान्त तनाव शैथिल्य के लिये आयोजकों द्वारा कई सुरूचिपूर्ण अनौपचारिक प्रतिस्पर्धाओं का भी संयोजन किया गया जिसमें पुरूष प्रतिभागियों के लिए मीन मनोरंजन तथा महिलाओं के लिए `प्रिमोर्डियल सूप बनाना´ सिम्मलित था। भारत में जीवन के उद्भव और विकास की आवधारणा पर चाल्र्स डार्विन के द्विशती समारोहों के उपलक्ष्य में `प्रिमार्डियल सूप मेकिंग´ प्रतिस्पर्धा में महिला प्रतिभागियों ने बढ़-चढ़ कर हिस्सा लिया। विशेषज्ञ पैनेल द्वारा चयनित सूप प्रतिभागियों में रात्रि भोजन पूर्व श्री जी0एस0 उनीकृष्णन के व्याख्यान `विज्ञान कथा फिल्मों में विकासवाद: डार्विनवाद का अभ्युदय´ के दौरान सर्व किया गया। तदनन्तर आर्थर सी क्लार्क के तीसरे नियम - कोई भी उन्नत प्रौद्योगिकी जादू से अलग नहीं दिखती, थीम पर विज्ञान संचारक श्री हरीश यादव द्वारा एक सम्मोहक `जादू का शो´ भी प्रस्तुत किया गया।
राष्ट्रीय परिचर्चा के चौथे दिन डा0 राजीव रंजन उपाध्याय की अध्यक्षता में युवा रचनाकारों के लिये एक विज्ञान कथा लेखन कार्यशाला भी आयोजित हुई जिसमें 25 युवा छात्र छात्राओं/प्रतिभागियों ने विशेषज्ञों के सानिध्य में विज्ञान कथा लेखन के शिल्प एवं बारीकियों को समझा और कार्यशाला के दौरान विज्ञान कथायें भी लिखीं।
अपराह्न में आयोजित समापन समारोह में बनारस हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय के आई0आई0पी0 सेल के मुख्य समन्वयक प्रोफेसर पी0के0 मिश्र का समापन सम्बोधन `भविष्य की प्रौद्योगिकियों´ विषय पर आधारित रहा। मुख्य अतिथि आई0आई0टी0 के निदेशक प्रोफेसर एस0एन0 उपाध्याय ने विज्ञान कथा पर राष्ट्रीय परिचर्चा के आयोजन को भारत में इस विधा के प्रसार के प्रयासों में मील का पत्थर बताया। उन्होंने विभिन्न शैक्षणिक पाठ्यक्रमों में विज्ञान कथा को अंगीकार करने की भी सिफारिश की। डा0 मनोज पटैरिया ने `विज्ञान कथा के बनारस दस्तावेज, 2008´ की आरंभिक रूपरेखा प्रस्तुत करते हुये शीघ्र ही इसे अन्तिम रूप से प्रस्तुत करने का संकल्प व्यक्त किया।
सायंकाल प्रतिभागियों ने नौका विहार करते हुये कार्तिक पूिर्णमा के अवसर पर अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय ख्याति पा चुके `गंगा महोत्सव´ के विशिष्ट आयोजन `देव दीपावली´ का भी अवलोकन किया। गंगा के घाटों पर सहसा प्रज्वलित हो उठे असंख्य दीपों और आतिशबाजी के अविस्मरणीय एवं मनोहारी दृश्यावलोकन एवं गंगा आरती में भाग लेने के उपरान्त सभी अतिथि प्रतिभागियों ने गंगा के किनारे ही रात्रि लोक भोज (रीवरसाईड एथनिक बार्बिक्यु डिनर ) में विशिष्ट स्थानीय व्यंजनों का लुत्फ उठाया।
अगले दिन 14 नवम्बर, 08 को प्रतिभागियों द्वारा सारनाथ में बौद्ध तीर्थ स्थल के परिभ्रमण के साथ ही अपने ढंग की यह अनूठी राष्ट्रीय विज्ञान कथा परिचर्चा सम्पन्न हो गई।

5-56-10 Meme :Feedback and Follow Up !

The audience of Indian Science Fiction was rather lukewarm about this meme but some responses are worth mentioning here like this one by Cyril and this by Shruti .I have also updated the earlier post and have included the answers to the questions in sequence.
There seems to be a dichotomy still prevailing that literature and sf both are distinct genres.I am of the opinion that sf is a part and parcel of literature only and is therefore rightly categorized as branch of literature world over.Sf occupies in fact a very special but of course a small (but beautiful) niche in hitherto all the literary attributes and expressions of mankind.
So all the friends who have a natural longing to any kind of literary attributes are most welcome to the genre of sf too ,its only a branch of literature and nothing else.

5-56 Meme : What is it any way ?

I was a bit perplexed when Peggy tagged me for this game of an academic sort and tried hard to understand what this all is really about .It all began with Henry who introduced the game and responses are now pouring in.The game is perhaps a kind of barometer to check to what extent are the sf bloggers engaged in reading the sf literature or what level of being a bibliophile one has achieved.Quite an interesting game which invites you to choose ten sf books of your choice and just scribble down the fifth sentence on page 56 of all of them and invite your friends in turn to guess the books where these extracts are selected from.And then declare the answers.
Peggy as I know her is a bibliophile par excellence and the list of sf books which she has hitherto read impresses as well as disappoints a person like me who finds himself no where in comparison to her accomplishments as a bibliophile. So when I got tagged by her I experienced it not only as a happy moment but a teaser as well.Ok Peggy,here I go -
1-I feared every turning of the street would present to my view.I did not dare to return to the apartment which I inhabited ,but felt impelled to hurry on ,although drenched by the rain which poured from black and comfortless sky.
2-This concert was brought to a close by the announcement of dinner .At the moment our hunter
returned ,who had been seeing his horses provided for ;that is to say ,he had economically let them loose in the fields,........
3-I hope you think it's an improvement .I can't say same about your beard.
4-"Well then -"and the historian got to his feet and stood for a moment ,glaring.
5-It all happened in an instant -a bur of movement in the water directly below him ,and then he saw only her long ,shapely legs receding as she sped away from him .
6-....radiation from the nuclear power plants surrounding Lake Michigan might produced mutations in N.rhombopteryx.
7-There were only sand ,machines ,and a few unhappy opportunistic weeds.
8-She had been an animal handler in developmental biology before she had been "terminated because of dereliction of duty".
9-Two minutes into flight a thought so ridiculous ,so absurd hit her that she could not help giggling ,sending laughter ripples through her gel bed.
10-Even when I know what I'm doing and think about where my husband is ,I still want to be Christian.
So friends it is my take of the game and the list is some sort of a ' selector's items '-my favourite novels/anthologies presented here in almost in chronological order .At least one of the list may not be strictly an sf item but it shoul be atken as a part of the game.
And I tag -
!-Tinkoo
2-Cyril
3-Unmukt
4-Hrishikesh
5-Vandana Singh
The Answers-
1-Frankenstein ,Published in India by Orient Paperbacks ,New Delhi,1976
2-Journey to the Centre of the Earth ,Wordsworth Editions Limited ,Great Britain ,1996
3-2010-Odyssey Two [A.C.Clarke];Granada Publishing Limited , London,1983
4-The Dead Past, The Best SF of Issac Asimov ,[The anthology is published in USA but surprisigly there is no mention of publisher.strange..!]
5-Encounters,edited by Isaac Asimov,HEADLINE BOOK PUBLISHING PLC.1988
6-The Gaint Book of sf stories,Edited by Issac Asimov,Magpie Books Ltd ,London,1992l
7-The Gaint Book of Modern SF,Edited by Gardner Dozois ,Magpie Book Limited .London,1995
8-Mutation by Robin Cook ,Indian Edition ,Rupa &Co. by arrangements with Pan Books Ltd.,London,1989
9-River of Gods,Ian Macdonald,Pyr,an imprint of Promethius Books,New York ,2006
10-Quantico,Greg Bear,Vanguard Press NY,2007
Thanks !

An Interesting Questionnaire on Science and Fiction !

Peggy Kolm puts a list of questions on her blog ' Biology in Science Fiction ' which are to be answered by sf writers and bloggers as a preparatory exercise to moderate a session on sf in ScienceOnline09 which is an annual rendezvous of science bloggers.

I have answered the questions as per my little understanding of the subject and genre.The questions and answers are as follows-
What is your relationship to science fiction? Do you read it? Watch it? What/who do you like and why?

I am very fond of reading and watching sf .I like the stories particularly with optimistic note and happy endings. This may be due to the deep sacraments through which an Indian undergoes since his childhood. As a matter of fact most of the Indian stories have happy endings and a positive thought towards human life -Vivekanand( (January 12, 1863–July 4, 1902) ,the great Indian spiritual leader who visited USA also once said .."See ,if you have lost every thing, future still remains." So we have born and brought up in a milieu like this.My all time favorite sf writer has been Issac Asimov who still has many of his admirers in India.His many stories have social implications and is appreciated by Indian audience.

· What do you see as science fiction's role in promoting science, if any? Can it do more than make people excited about science? Can it harm the cause of science?

· At least in India sf could play a pivotal role in popularizing sf but for this we have to look for many new innovative formats and procedures ...one is already in practice and has been brought to your notice earlieir and finnds a mention on your blog -BIOLOGY IN SCIENCE FICTION -This could be depicting/ showing of sf in dynamic models, .tableux during the religious occasions at times when there is a great assemblage of common people like the one called KUMBH –the largest fair of the world organized every 12 years for a duration of more than a month on the cofluence of river Yamuna and Ganges in Allahabad,India. An ingenious mix of mythology and sf could also be tried to attract the common masses. This experiment has yielded encouraging results during last Kumbh .If you rationally mix something very familiar like myths of a country with something very unfamiliar like sf ,things get going very well to carry and communicate the intended message to masses.No ,there seems to be no damage to the science itself ,instaed it serves the very purpose of sci communication. Its helpful to bring out the science out of our iron walled laboratories to the public.

·

· Have you used science fiction as a starting point to talk about science? Is it easier to talk about people doing it right or getting it wrong?

· Quite often ,To begin a lecture on science or technology stories act as attracting contrivances /devices for the audience and thus could be used in various medium of imparting knowledge from class room to open theater as par the need and demand. But yes such story tellers/trainers or teachers must be trained by the experts in the field ,otherwise there is a possibility of promoting pseudo science in the name of sf -mythology mix or any such ingenious combo.

· Are there any specific science or science fiction blogs you would recommend to interested readers or writers?

· Biology in sf is my favorite , sf signal is another one and there are many more depending on the choices by the people of specific geographical areas and interests.

· Questions for Science Fiction Writer.

* Why are you writing science fiction in particular? What does the science add?
* Writing to me at least is for my own satisfaction first and a very strong motivation to share the gained knowledge however meager that may be to fellow beings who need that knowledge. Sf writing serves to satiate my innermost desire.
* What is your relationship to science? Have you studied or worked in it, or do you just find it cool? Do you have a favorite field?
* I am a PhD in fish genetics from the Oxford of the East –Alahabad university ,India –so have a penchant for scientific contents especially genetics ,behavior and so on.

* How important is it to you that the science be right? What kind of resources do you use for accuracy?
* Science must not only be right it should be rightly put forth also .Otherwise there are chances that it may transgress the limits of sensibility/rationality and may plunge into the realms of pseudo science.
* Are there any specific science or science fiction blogs you would recommend to interested readers or writers?
* Already mentioned.

First Ever National Discussion on sf: A News Round-Up

National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC)

Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association (ISFWA)

Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies (IASFS)

The First Ever National Discussion

Science Fiction: Past, Present, Future

November 10-14, 2008, Varanasi, India

Venue : Sanjay Motels & Resorts, NH-56, Babatpur, Varanasi.

An Overview

Can you imagine having a barbecue ethnic dinner on the holy bank of the Ganges after having a full view of the light of earthen lamps on the Ghats of the Ganges? Can you imagine a puppet show at the beginning of a conference and Shehnai Vaadan by the nephew of Shehnai maestro Bharat Ratn Late Ustad Bismillah Khan and also a magic show and other recreational activities including fun fishing and primordial soup making contest to commemorate the concept of origin and evolution of life as a curtain raiser to Darwin's bicentenary celebrations due in India next year . These activities were organized as stress releasers after the day long strenuous schedule of the discussions on two of the nights of the conference before dinner on the lawns of the resort under moonlit night and a visit to Sarnath, the famous Buddhist pilgrimage. An excursion like ambiance was provided during the National Conference on SF by the ingenious, innovative and carefully through out programme by Dr. Arvind Mishra, the coordinator and convener of National Conference on S.F.

The First Ever national Discussion on Science Fiction jointly organized by National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Indian Science Fiction Writers Association and Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies was held as Sanjay Motels and Resorts, Varanasi from 10 to 14 November 2008. The conference began with a press conference in “Paradkar Smriti Bhawan’ at Maidagin ,Varanasi, which was addressed by Dr. Manoj Patairiaya , director NCSTC .Dr Arvind Mishra coordiantor/convener of the event outlined the objectives and details of the programme.

In the evening a puppet show on SF story of Zeashan H .Zaidy was presented by Arshad Umar, a puppeteer from Lucknow. Audience had a wonderful evening session of interacting and also viewing a short film by Mark Lund named "First World' .It was very much appreciated by the audience.The film envisaged that aliens have not only arrived clandestinely on earth but were living with us -a fact which is known by certain authorities but they are keeping it tight lipped.The highlight of the day was also a talk on World Science Day entitled ‘ Moon :Facts and Fictions’ by Dr Nellai S Muthu, scientist, Chennai in which be presented a detailed history of the expeditions to the moon.

The Conference was formally inaugurated in a grand function on 11th Nov. 2008. The Chief Guest on this occasion was Professor S.N. Dubey, Vice-Chancellor of JRH Chitrakoot University, U.P. The inaugural function was presided over by Dr. Manoj Patairiya, Director of NCSTC, New Delhi. The Key-note address was given by Marathi Science Fiction Writer Dr. Y.H. Deshpande. In his key-note address he traced the origin of Indian SF in the great epic Mahabharata. The Chief Guest, respectable Vice-Chancellor S.N. Dubey underlined the importance of reading science fiction for spreading science awareness. The other distinguished speakers who spoke on various aspects of science fiction were Dr.Madhu Pant , former director of BAL BHAWAN , New Delhi and Shri Hemant Kumar, a senior litterateur from Lucknow. The presidential address was given Dr. Manoj Patairiya; and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. R.R. Upadhyaya, President of ISFWA, Faizabad. On this occasion three books on/of SF by Dr. Ratnakar D Bhelkar, Mr Harish Goyal and Mr.Zeashan Haider Zaidy, were also released by the chief guest of the function.A message in the form of an erudite piece of sf critique by Hon. Justice Yatindra Singh,Allahabad High court was also released on the occasion.

The inaugural function was followed by two technical sessions. The first technical session was on the historical perspective of science fiction. The chairman of the session Professor S.M. Gupta opened the session by raising important issues to be discussed at the session such as science fiction, role of fantasy in SF, mythology and reinterpretation of mythology in SF and the futuristic vision of Science fiction Dr. Gauhar Raza made a distinction between an artist and a scientist and stated that an artist not only revisions future but also revisits and reinvents the past. But the study of science is accumulative in nature in that future scientific inventions are built on the past inventions. He emphasized the need for forging the future of SF rather than the analysis of its past history. Dr. Arvind Dubey, a pediatrician by profession and sf buff , emphasized the need to identity the first SF story. He rejected the view that Mary Shelley 's "Frankenstein" is the first SF in English. According to him Lucian's "True Story" (2nd Century A.D.) and Kepler's "Somnium" (1634) are the best contenders to be first S.F.

According to Dr. Arul Aram H.G. Well's novels have post-modernistic trend in them. He emphasized the need of social responsibility as a component of SF.Dr. CM Nautiyal drew a distinction between science fiction, science fantasy and fantasy. He said that in a true science fiction, science is integral and not incidental to the story but what may not pass this test , may still be good literature or good science fantasy. However, the result of the test may change with times and with readers' background. To write 'hard science fiction', one ought to know the laws of the related science. No Indian film passes the test. 'Koi Mil Gaya' comes the closest to being Sci-Fi-Fi but not good enough.

The Second Technical Session on Understanding Science Fiction-A Cognitive Approach began under the chairperson ship of Dr.Madhu Pant ,former director of BAL BHWAN New Delhi , The speakers outlined the current trends in SF. Dr Thirumani stated that contemporary sf is an easy way to understand science. Mr. Harish Goyal, a writer of Hindi SF made a case for prescribing science fiction in the curriculum at school and college levels. Mr Vishnu Prasad Chaturvedi underlined the importance of science element as a necessary component of SF.Amit Sarwal emphasized the need for curriculum development in SF in the literature classroom at undergraduate level by the UGC and hoped for grants to publish critical books on SF in order to equip teachers to teach this new subject.Mr. Mehrdad Anaseri presentation focused on 'Study of Tom Stoppard's Hapgood and Arcadia with cultural implications to India". "There is no need to go beyond reality to find utopias or dystopias," contended Mr.Anaseri adding that literature and cinema should shoulder the responsibility of focusing on "real" issues challenging modern science today, before depicting wild extrapolations. Mr. Mohan, one of the Tamil science fiction writers, presented his views on “SF in Science Propogation". Science Fiction writer Mr. Kamlesh Srivastava shared his views on the “Public Understanding of Science through SF”.

The third technical session was chaired by Dr. Vibhavari Deshpande and was devoted to the current trends in SF. Anwesha Maity presented a comparison between Japanese and Bengali SF and pointed out that both started as adventure stories. Reema Sarwal drew the attention of the audience to the similarities between SF and post colonial writings. Zakir Ali Rajnish , a noted SF writer for children pointed out the need to make SF interesting for children. Two joint papers were also presented on SF movies by M. Venkadeshan, M. Srividyas and NS Sampath Kumar and S. Valliganthans. They pointed out the special effects created by the Sf Cinema. Ratnakar Bhelkar stated that fantasy is not the opposite of reality but the other side of reality. Anil Kumar Vishwa and Jaiprakash pointed out that new trends in the form of reinterpretation of mythology are developing in SF.

.

On 12th November 2008, Technical Session-IV : Science Fiction for Science communication was chaired by well-known SF writer Mr. Unnikrishnan from Kerala. Dr. Geetha.B discussed various possibilities of using SF as a teaching tool in her paper on “SF as a Teaching Tool: Future Prospects”. She stressed that SF should be used in classrooms of various subjects and not only in language classes. Meenu Khare said that SF can be presented effectively through radio. "Animation films, cartoons and comic strips always attract children" said Amit Kumar. He stressed the need to produce SF comics and cartoon films so that difficult concepts of Science can be taught easily.Dr. Afrina Rizvi discussed the scientific content in SF by drawing the audience’s attention to Mary Shelley’s & H. G. Wells’ SF works.

In the V technical session Hemant Kumar spoke on the latest trends of SF। Zeashan Haider Zaidy pointed out the importance of SF and suggested the ways to popularize it। Amit Kumar presented a comparative study of Hindi mainstream stories with those of SF. Arshad Umar advocated the presentation of SF through puppetry. Dr.Taralika Trivedi was of the opinion that the fiction based on scientific theme can also be very much of a mainstream fiction. The paper discussed this doctrine comparing SF works with mainstream fiction .As soon as a great SF is written, critics stop calling it SF, but reclassify it as mainstream fiction.Many works unassumingly portray SF,remaining still very much in mainstream.Good SF is both good literature and good writing. The best SF is simply a genre of the best writing.

The greatest achievement of the conference was the preparation of the outlines of 'Benaras Document on SF 2008' under the leadership of Dr Manoj Patairiya. This document will contain definition of SF, scope of SF and ways and means of writing, training and popularizing science fiction in this country. The important suggestion that was put forward was the establishment of a SF cell to train young writers to write SF; to translate SF across Indian languages and into English.

The Valedictory function was held in the after noon of 13 Nov. 2008. The Chief Guest was Prof. S.N. Upadhaya the director of IIT Benaras . In this address, Prof. Upadhaya suggested the need to reinterpret Indian mythology to address to modern environmental problems of pollution. Dr Manoj Patairiya presented " Benaras Document on sf -2008' in its preliminary form and said that it will prove to be a landmark work document in the propagation of SF. The guest of hononour on this occasion were shri P.K. Mishra, Chief Co-ordinator IIP Cell B.H.U. and the function was presided over by R.K. Singh Chief Conservator of Forest H.P. The vote of thank, was proposed by Dr. Arvind Mishra, the coordinator and convener of the conference.

By Professor Sagarmal Gupta

Natioanl Discussion on SF-A News Round-Up !

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National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC)

Indian Science Fiction Writers' Association (ISFWA)

Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies (IASFS)

The First Ever National Discussion

Science Fiction: Past, Present, Future

November 10-14, 2008, Varanasi, India

Venue : Sanjay Motels & Resorts, NH-56, Babatpur, Varanasi.

A NEWS ROUND -UP

Can you imagine having a barbecue ethnic dinner on the holy bank of the Ganges after having a full view of the light of earthen lamps on the Ghats of the Ganges? Can you imagine a puppet show at the beginning of a conference and Shehnai Vaadan by the nephew of Shahnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan and also a magic show on two of the nights of the conference before dinner on the lawns of a resort under moonlit night and a visit to Sarnath, the famous Buddhist pilligrimage / Yes this excursion like ambience was provided during the National Conference on SF by the ingenious, innovative and carefully through out programme by Dr. Arvind Mishra, the Co-ordinator and convener of National Conference on S.F.

The First Ever national Discussion on Science Fiction jointly organized by National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Indian Science Fiction Writers Associations and Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies was held as Sanjay Motels and Resorts, Varanasi from 10 to 14 November 2008. The conference began with a press conference in “Pradkar Smriti Bhawan’ at Maidagin ,Varanasi, which was addressed by Dr. Arvind Mishra, Co-ordinator of the event. Dr Mishra outlined the objectives and details of the programme. In the evening a puppet show on SF story of Zeashan H .Zaidy was presented by Arshad Umar, a puppeteer from Lucknow. The highlight of the day was a talk on World Science Day entitled ‘ Facts and Fiction’ by Dr Nellai S Muthu, Scientist, Chennai in which be presented a detailed history of the expeditions to the moon.

The Conference was formally inaugurated in a grand function on 11th Nov. 2008. The Chief Guest on this occasion was Professor S.N. Dubey, Vice-Chancellor of JRH Chitrakoot University, U.P. The inaugural function was presided over by Dr. Manoj Patairiya, Director of NCSTC, New Delhi. The Key-note address was given by Marathi Science Fiction Writer Dr. Y.H. Deshpande. In his key-note addressed he traced the origin of Indian SF in the great epic Mahabharata. The Chief Guest, respectable Vice-Chancellor S.N. Dubey underlined the importance of reading Science fiction for spreading science awareness. The other distinguished Speakers who spoke on various aspects of Science Fiction were former director of BAL BHAWAN , New Delhi and Shri Hemant Kumar, a senior littérateur from Lucknow. The presidential address was given Dr. Manoj Patairiya; and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. R.R. Upadhyaya, President of ISFWA, Faizabad. On this occasion three books on/of SF by Dr. Ratnakar D Bhelkar, Mr Harish Goyal and Mr S.N. Dubey, were also released by the chief guest of the function.

The inaugural function was followed by two technical sessions. The first technical session was on the historical perspective of science fiction. The chairman of the session Professor S.M. Gupta opened the session by raising important issues to be discussed at the session such as science fiction, role of fantasy in SF, mythology and reinterpretation of mythology in SF and the futuristic vision of Science fiction Dr. Gauhar Raza made a distinction between an artist and a scientist and stated that an artist not only revisions future but also revisits and reinvents the past. But the study of science is accumulative in nature in that future scientific inventions are built on the past inventions. He emphasized the need for forging the future of SF rather than the analysis of its past history. Dr. Arvind Dubey, a pediatrician by profession and sf buff , emphasized the need to identity the first SF story. He rejected the view that Many Shelley "Frankenstein" is the first SF in English. According to him Lucian's "True Story" (2nd Century A.D.) and Kepler's "Somnium" (1634) are the best contenders to be first S.F.

According to Dr. Arul Aram H.G. Well's novels have post-modernistic trend in them. He emphasized the need of social responsibility as a component of SF.

Dr.C.M. Nautiyal drew a distinction between SF and fantasy and emphasized the need for the writer to be acquainted with the laws of Science before attempting to write SF.

The Second Technical Session on Understanding Science Fiction-A Cognitive Approach began under the chairpersonship of Dr. Vibhavari Deshpande. The speakers outlined the current trends in SF. Dr Thirumani stated that contemporary sf is an easy way to understand science. Mr. Harish Goyal, a writer of Hindi SF made a case for prescribing science fiction in the curriculum at school and college levels. Mr Vishnu Prasad Chaturvedi underlined the importance of science element as a necessary component of SF.

The third technical session was devoted to the current trends in SF. Anwesha Maity presented a comparison between Japanese and Bengali SF and pointed out that both started as adventure stories. Reema Sarwal drew the attention of the audience to the similarities between SF and post colonial writings. Zakir Ali, Rajnish, a noted SF writer for children pointed out the need to make SF interesting for children. Two joint papers were also presented on SF movies by M. Venkadeshan, M. Srividyas and NS Samath Kumar and S. Valligauthans. They pointed out the special effects created by the Sf Cinema. Ratnakar Bhelkar stated that Fantasy is not the opposite of reality but the other side of reality. Anil Kumar Vishwa and Jaiprakash pointed out that new trends in the form of reinterpretation of mythology are developing is SF.

.

On 12th November 2008, Technical Session-IV : Science Fiction for Science communication started with the paper of Mr. Unni Krishnanan who stressed that S.F. should be taught as S.F. and not as a tool for teaching the language. Meenu Khare said that SF can be presented effectively through radio. "Animation films, cartoons and comic strips always attract children" said Amit Kumar. He stressed the need to produce SF comics and cartoon films so that difficult concepts of Science can be taught easily.

In the V technical session Hemant Kumar Spoke on the latest trends of SF. Zeashan Haider Zaidy pointed out the importance of SF and suggested the ways to popularize it. Amit Kumar presented a comparative study of Hindi mainstream stories with those of SF. Arshad A Umer advocated the presentation of SF through puppetry.

The greatest achievement of the conference was the preparation of the outlines of 'Benaras Document on SF 2008' under the leadership of Dr Manoj Patairiya. This document will contain definition of SF, scope of SF and ways and means of writing, training and popularizing science fiction in this country. The important suggestion that was put forward was the establishment of a SF cell to train young writers to write SF; to translate SF across Indian languages and into English.

The Valedictory function was held in the after noon of 13 Nov. 2008. The Chief Guest of the was Prof. S.N. Upadhaya the Director of IIT Benaras . In this address, Prof. Dubey suggested the need to reinterpret Indian mythology to address to modern environmental problems of pollution. Dr Manoj Patairiya presented " Benaras Document on sf -2008' in its preliminary form and said that it will prove to be a landmark work document in the propagation of SF. The guest of hononour on this occasion were shri P.K. Mishra, Chief Co-ordinator IIP Cell B.H.U. and the function was presided over by R.K. Singh Chief Conservator of Forest H.P. The vote of thank, was proposed by Dr. Arvind Mishra, the coordinator and convener of the conference.

By-Prof.Sagar Mal Gupta

विज्ञान कथा -तेरी दुनिया ,मेरे सपने -जीशान हैदर जैदी और अरविन्द मिश्रा

विज्ञान कथा "मेरी दुनिया तेरे सपने "जीशान और और मेरा संयुक्त प्रयास है -कहानी थोड़ी लम्बी है पर इसे कई बैठकों में पढ़ कर इसका आनंद उठाया जा सकता है .

National Discussion on sf begins in the holy city of Varanasi

National Discussion on sf begins in the holy city of Varanasi,India from today with representation of around 100 participants from many parts of India especially from southern part of India.We had a wonderful evening session of interacting and viewing a short film by Mark Lund named "First World' yesterday .It was very much appreciated by the audience.The film hints that aliens have not only arrived clandestinely on earth but are already living with us -a fact which is known by certain authorities but they are keeping it tight lipped.We had a marvelous dramatic presentation of a science fiction story through the puppetry -perhaps an attemt of first of its kind in the world.
We also had the opportunity of hearing a wonderful evening talk by Dr.Nellai Muthu From ISRO who in his lucid presentation emphasized on the facts and fiction associated with the moon .Tomorrow we are going to have the formal inaugural session of the discussion.
The detailed programme could be seen here .

Science Fiction : Past, Present, Future-The First Ever National Discussion!

National Council of Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), New Delhi

Indian Science Fiction Writers’ Association (ISFWA), Faizabad

Indian Association of Science Fiction Studies (IASFS), Vallore

Announce

The First Ever National Discussion

Science Fiction : Past, Present, Future

November10-14, 2008; Varanasi, India

A sheer balance between fact and fiction on the grounds of science and technology paves the way towards imaginative faculties of human mind which we often refer to as creative dream and that may come true sometime as well! A science fiction is a fine fabric of a number of elements together interwoven in a manner so that it at one end can entertain and can arouse one’s creative imagination at the other. At the same time, it can inform you with an analytical and rational approach and also enable you to foresee the futuristic perspectives. We all are aware of a number of classical science fiction stories that had prepared the ground for several landmark inventions. Moreover, because of its enormous potential in educating, motivating and entertaining the common man especially the children, science fiction has been a popular means of science communication.

The discussion is aimed at focusing on various aspects of science fiction and its role in communicating science and technology related issues to the common people and children .The goal of the five-day exercise is to prepare a draft for “Benaras Document 2008”. The programme would also examine as how science fiction input could be enhanced and successfully employed in various science communication modules currently in vogue in India.

There will be at least one plenary session everyday besides usual technical sessions, followed by in-depth analyses on given topics in working group discussions. There would be a special forum for young researchers and students. The discussion is also aimed at bringing science fiction and fantasy writers, scholars, critics, enthusiasts, noted social fiction writers, littérateurs and scientists together. Attendees would be encouraged to discuss their views on the given topics, share knowledge and perspectives in an informal environment in order to encourage free flow and cross pollination of ideas for further advancement of science fiction profession.

The discussions, amongst others, would include topics such as science fiction as a learning device, various familiar story-telling formats including rich Indian oral traditions, and science fiction writing in regional languages, etc. Conflicting issues would be specially taken care of by a distinguished panel of experts, including a Chairperson, a Co-chairperson and a Facilitator for each discussion group. A peer review system for the assignments and outcomes would also be observed during the programme to have a stock of the progress and achievements of the sessions and set the trend for the next sessions accordingly.

The National Council for Science & Technology Communication is the apex body of Government of India mandated for public communication of science and technology and inculcation of scientific and technological temper among masses. The Indian Science Fiction Writers’ Association (ISFWA) and Indian Association of Science Fiction Studies (IASFS) are non-profit professional bodies dedicated to enhancing science fiction and fantasy in literature and mainstream media.

Sub Themes :

Following 5 sub themes are incorporated in 5 technical sessions. However, the discussion on a particular theme or topic may continue informally beyond the stipulated session until the final conclusions are drawn, reviewed and finalized.

i) Science Fiction - Historical Perspective : The programme shall begin with analysing the development and evolution of science fiction in India vis-à-vis in the world with comparative and analytical accounts on evolutionary trends.

ii) Understanding Science Fiction - A Cognitive Approach : A number of definitions and theories are prevalent across the world when it comes to understanding science fiction. The session will try to redefine various forms such as science fantasy, story, fiction, tale, etc., with pedagogical and cognitive enrichment.

iii) Current Trends in Science Fiction : This shall examine many contemporary issues on science fiction currently debated. It may present an overview on possible cultural influences on the genre, emerging trends, changing styles and characteristics of science fiction.

iv) Science Fiction for Science Communication : This session shall emphasize on various formats and styles suitable for presenting different contents and concepts using mass media, such as drama, theatre, puppetry, tableaux, novel, cartoon strip, film, etc.

v) Science Fiction : Future Perspective : The discussion shall focus on whether science fiction could be made better by making it more like mainstream fiction. The future scope and possibilities of science fiction in development of science and technology would also be explored. The session will also try to understand whether insinuation of science fiction or fantasy into serious mainstream literature is detrimental to hard science fiction!

Special Training Session on Science Fiction Writing : Apart from above, a special training session for young science fiction amateurs has also been planned. It is an added attraction for young participants enabling them to inculcate and develop amongst themselves science fiction writing skills, including important tips, tricks of the trade, subtleties and nuances of the genre under the supervision of noted science fiction experts. The group discussions can be divided into split groups to encourage more focussed approach.

Format of the Programme : The research papers are invited from the science fiction writers, scholars, experts, researchers, scientists and students on various aspects of main theme and sub themes, which will be presented during technical sessions followed by debate and discussion. The papers should be in standard research paper format. Research papers, including empirical studies, historical accounts, review papers, discussion papers, debates, and innovative approaches in science fiction are welcome. Each presenter may get around 10 minutes with more emphasis on discussion. Power point presentations would be encouraged. Deliberations will be both in Hindi and English. High standard papers could be selected for publication.

Who should participate : Anyone genuinely interested in science fiction profession with suitable contributions.

Registration : Some 100 science fiction buffs including subject specialists, experts and young researchers/ students will be invited to participate. There is a provision of limited travel fellowships covering travel expenses, accommodation, meals, and registration fee only for selected/ invited delegates from India. International delegates will make their own travel arrangements; the organizers could offer free stay and meals. An Expert Committee will evaluate the applications for final selection.

Last date for receipt of fellowship application, registration and research paper : October 20, 2008.

How to reach Varanasi : Varanasi is one of the premier tourist destinations in India, well connected by air from Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Khajuraho and Katmandu. Fast trains from all major cities are available. It would be beginning of winter in Varanasi hence light woolens may be required.

Please contact for further information, if any :

Dr. Arvind Mishra

Secretariat (National Discussion 2008)

16, Cotton Mill Colony, Chowkaghat , Varanasi-221002 (India)

Phone: +91-9415300706; +91-542-2211363

Email: drarvind3@gmail.com

Dr. Manoj Patairiya
Director (Scientist ‘F’)
National Council for Science & Technology Communication

Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi– 110016 (India)
Phone : +91-11-26537976, 26590238 ; Fax : 26866675
Email : mkp@nic.in; manojpatairiya@yahoo.com

Website : www.dst.gov.in

National Council of Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), New Delhi

Indian Science Fiction Writers’ Association (ISFWA), Faizabad

Indian Association of Science Fiction Studies (IASFS), Vallore

The First Ever National Discussion

Science Fiction : Past, Present, Future

November10-14, 2008; Varanasi, India

INDICATIVE PROGRAMME

NOVEMBER 10

12:00–01:00 PM PRESS CONFERENCE
01:00-02:00 PM LUNCH

03:00-07:00 PM REGISTRATION/ INTERACTION/ TEA/ COFFEE
07:00–10:00 PM AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAMME/ RECEPTION DINNER/

CULTURAL PROGRAMME

NOVEMBER 11
08:00-09:00 AM INTERACTION/ BREAKFAST

09:00-10:00 AM REGISTARTION

10:00-11:30 AM INAUGURAL FUNCTION
11:30-12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE
12:00–01:30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION I

01:30-02:30 PM LUNCH
02:30-04:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION II

04:00–04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

04:30-06:00 PM TECHNICAL SESSION III

07:00-10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CULTURAL PROGRAMME/ DISCUSSION DINNER

NOVEMBER 12
08:30-10:00 AM INTERACTION/ BREAKFAST
10:00–11:30 AM TECHNICAL SESSION IV

11:30–12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE
12:00–01:30 PM TECHNICAL SESSION V

01:30-02:30 PM LUNCH

02:30-04:00 PM SPLIT GROUP DISCUSSION A

04:00–04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

04:30-06:00 PM PREPARING ‘BENARAS DOCUMENT 2008’

07:00-10:00 PM CRUISING ACROSS RIVER GANGA ON ‘DEV DEEPAVALI’/ DINNER

NOVEMBER 13

08:30-10:00 AM INTERACTION/ BREAKFAST

10:00-11:30 AM SPECIAL TRAINING SESSION ON SCIENCE FICTION WRITING
11:30-12:00 NOON TEA/ COFFEE
12:00–01:30 PM SPLIT GROUP DISCUSSION B

01:30-02:30 PM LUNCH
02:30-04:00 PM FINALIZATION OF ‘BENARAS DOCUMENT 2008’

04:00–04:30 PM TEA/ COFFEE

04:30-06:00 PM VALEDICTORY FUNCTION

07:00-10:00 PM EVENING TALK/ CULTURAL PROGRAMME/ DISCUSSION DINNER

NOVEMBER 14

07:00-08:00 AM INTERACTION/ BREAKFAST

08:00-01:30 PM FIELD VISIT

01:30-02:30 PM LUNCH

END OF PROGRAMME

National Council of Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), New Delhi

Indian Science Fiction Writers’ Association (ISFWA), Faizabad

Indian Association of Science Fiction Studies (IASFS), Vallore

The First Ever National Discussion

Science Fiction : Past, Present, Future

November10-14, 2008; Varanasi, India

Registration Form

1. Name of the Delegate :

2. Designation/ Affiliation :

3. Postal Address :

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• Please send the filled in Registration Form by post and through email along with Bio-data and research paper to :

Dr. Arvind Mishra

Secretariat (National Discussion 2008)

16, Cotton Mill Colony, Chowkaghat, Varanasi-221002 (India)

Phone: +91-9415300706; +91-542-2211363; Email: drarvind3@gmail.com

Dr. Manoj Patairiya
Director (Scientist ‘F’)
National Council for Science & Technology Communication

Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi– 110016 (India)
Phone : +91-11-26537976, 26590238; E-mail : mkp@nic.in; manojpatairiya@yahoo.com