Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 17: “There is a strong need to develop scientific temperament. Even in simple day to day instances such as forwarding whatsapp videos/messages, one needs to verify if the contents in the message state facts and are true before passing them on,” said senior journalist Govind D Belgaumkar.
He was speaking after inaugurating the two day workshop ‘Science and Kannada – Importance of scientific writing in Kannada and developing scientific temperament’ organised at St Agnes College in the city on Thursday.
“Many a time in newspapers, we may come across contradictory reports. When one writes a scientific article, there should be a strong research base and one should refer verified research reports. Most of the scientific results will be subjected to peer review after which will be published in scientific journals,” he said.
"Scientific writing informs people the advancements in science. Hence, there is a need to improve writing skills and develop taste for research so that effective articles are written," he added.
Prominent writer M Abdul Rehman Pasha who is the resource person of the workshop regretted that though people boast 80 per cent literacy rate, when asked questions about basic science, their knowledge is poor. Developing scientific temper is a fundamental duty.
"Scientific writing should have facts, research, opinions and should be written in simple language so that even a primary school student can understand," he added.
“Language facilitates science and science helps language. Language plays a prominent role in expressing scientific views. Scientific writing in different vernacular languages to enhance knowledge is the need of the hour,” opined St Agnes College Principal Sr Jeswina AC.
The two day workshop was organized by St Agnes College Kannada Sangha in association with Department of Journalism with funding from Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society, Government of Karnataka.
The programme was convened by St Agnes College Kannada Sangha convenor Dr Sapoornananda Balkur.