PEOPLES’ SCIENCE MOVEMENT - GENESIS :

It is fact that identifying any definite year as the launching year of Peoples’ science movement, is not at all possible. But the reasons and rationale behind this movement can be traced very distinctly. Before going into this, it would be better to add that in our country even in pre-independence period serious efforts and endeavours were developed and turned into movement for ‘Science in mother-tongue’. In this particular field praiseworthy advances were made in Bengal especially from end of the Nineteenth century.

Now turning to the question of emergence of Peoples’ science movement - unimaginable advancement of science and technology during first four decades of this century along with lopsided application of S&T by capitalist ruling class of different countries and misuse of S & T by the fascist power of some countries in the contemporary world in manufacturing ornaments created a situation which helped process of introspection among the forward looking people. Time the era of industrial revolution Europe continent was in the front rank of development of human civilisation, so the development as mentioned above and the process of introspection was started first on the soil of Europe also. People, who were working with science came forward and took up the challenge of the period. S & T with all its development should be harnessed in overcoming the problems and hardships faced by the human society as a whole, not for a few handful rich people; development of technology should be utilised for making human lives better, smoother and easier, not for increasing the amount of exploitation; why the knowledge acquired through the advancement of S&T are being snatched away by a few ornament monopolists in their service of ornament production - these were the stirring questions posed by the people associated with S & T including reputed scientists during this period scientists are not divorced from the society, they are part and parcel of the society and they should be concerned about their work in relation to societal development - all these ideas were in the process of realisation by the S & T personnel in this critical, as well as historical juncture. Even many reputed scientists of this period viz. Jolliest and Pierre couriet, Einstein, Niels Bohr, Rutherford, Czilard, Joseph Needham, Human Levy, Hogben, J. D. Bernal made immense contribution in making people in general and people of science in particular aware of raising their voices against misuse of science, for proper and correct utilisation of science for the betterment of human society. during 40’s of Twentieth Century, efforts for organising scientists and scientific workers were being noticed in European countries. Necessity of a strong social movement with the objective of correctly linking the scientific developments to the service of society and civilisation with proper evaluation of social functions of science was felt by a good number of conscious people. So, movement for proper utilisation of S & T for the benefit of the mankind was initiated in varying degrees and forms in different countries. These were the Peoples’ science movements at the initial stage.

After two nuclear explosions at the end of Second World War on 6th and 9th August respectively of 1945, which completely destroyed two Japanese cities Hiroshima & Nagasaki, entire world population could understand the extent of damage that could be caused by the science when it is misused to serve the interests of the war mongers. A lot of turbulence among the socially committed people in general and scientific community in particular, was observed in this period. This phenomenon of turbulence helped the already initiated movement on the issues like, science for society and science for peace, to attain momentum.

INDIA DURING 30’s & 40’s :

During the period of 30’s and 40’s, India witnessed growing of freedom struggle. Science education (in strictly modern sense of the term) started in India even in colonial days. for that reason institutes for science research as well as eminent scientists could be found in India in the colonial days. Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were founded in the mid-Nineteenth century. Some important scientific institutes and research centres like Institute for Cultivation of science, Asiatic Society (both of Calcutta) sprang up in our country during colonial days, even in Nineteenth century. eminent scientists like Jagadish Chandra Bose, Prafulla Chandra Roy, C. V. Raman, Ramanujan, Meghnad Saha, Satyen Bose, P. S. Mahalanobis, Krishnan, H. J. Bhabha, Visweshsariya et. al, are a few of them who conducted their works in close association with Indian freedom struggle. To imbibe Indian people with modern and progressive thoughts, a lot of efforts were undertaken as a part of freedom struggle. A lot of streams were there which together formed this effort. To fight against the age old superstitions, bigotry, obscurantism with the help of science was such a stream which was observed in many parts of our country during freedom struggle. These efforts may be termed as Peoples’ science movement in an embryonic form.

PEOPLES’ SCIENCE MOVEMENT IN INDIA :

Apart from the effort of making the Indian education system scientific and democratic, serious efforts for making people aware of science, incubating scientific temper among the people, taking benefits of science and technology to the people in general and poor in particular, were very much there in India. But, peoples’ science movement as is known today was not there. Peoples’ science movement, where a number of people engaged in all types of activities for taking science and its benefits to the people, is not very old in our country. Peoples’ science movement with well defined objective was first initiated in the state of Kerala. As far as our India is concerned, PSM emerbged for the first time (in term of statewide movement with clear-cut programme) by the formation of Kerala Shastriya Sahitya Parishad (KSSP). It was during 60’s - KSSP was founded in the year 1962. subsequently a number of organisations with the objective of PSM were formed in various states. To name a few, Karnataka Rajya Vigyan Parishad (KRVP), Andhra Pradesh Vigyan Vedika, Tamil Nadu Science forum, Eklauvya (MP), Madhya Pradesh Vigyan Sabha (MPVS), Haryana Vigyan Mancha, Assam Science Society, Delhi Science Forum (DSF), etc.

PEOPLES’ SCIENCE MOVEMENT - WEST BENGAL EXPERIENCE :

Paschimbanga Vigyan Mancha (PBVM) is at present one of the largest PSM organisations of our country. Its membership strength has already crossed 75 thousand mark. PBVM has got its units in all 18 districts of West Bengal. PBVM is working through lowest level units in rural and urban areas. With the help of innumerable units throughout the state PBVM is maintaining links with thousands of science activists who are working with commitment to take science and technology to the people.

Though Paschimbanga Vigyan Mancha was formed in the year 1986, but this formation of PBVM should be looked upon as the culmination of a process which was initiated in this part of the country a long ago, even in pre-independence days. Before independence, at the time of united Bengal, local endeavours of some educated people could be found to make people science aware, though without any clear programme and statewide co-ordination. Notwithstanding these weaknesses, these small efforts in many pockets of Bengal created the basis and heritage which made the formation of PBVM possible. It is to be admitted that if the long tradition and rich experiences of institutions like Bangiya Vigyan Parishad and a good number of science clubs were not there, the emergence of PBVM would not have been possible.

Experience of Paschimbanga Vigyan Mancha have been very encouraging. All sections of our population, Scientists & Technologists, Professors & Teachers, Professionals and Doctors, students, Trade Union activists, Kisan activists have come forward at the call of PBVM to develop a strong PSM in the state of West Bengal.

EXPERIENCE OF PASCHIMBANGA VIGYAN MANCHA (PBVM) :