NEW DELHI, September 22, 2026 – Emphasizing the need for greater synergy and public visibility across India’s scientific ecosystem, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, chaired the monthly Joint Meeting of Science Ministries and Departments at Prithvi Bhawan on Monday. A major focal point of the high-level review was the overwhelming success of the recently concluded ‘Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0’ campaign. Highlighting the massive scale of public participation, Dr. Singh noted that the extensive coastal cleanup drive, conducted from September 12 to 19, successfully covered 231 distinct coastal locations across 13 States and Union Territories. Demonstrating a strong national commitment to environmental sustainability, the campaign witnessed an impressive 15 lakh citizens actively taking the Ocean Conservation Pledge. The initiative effectively united students, coastal communities, government agencies, scientific institutions, and volunteers in a nationwide effort to ensure cleaner coasts and safer seas, a momentum the Minister stressed must be continuously sustained to foster lasting environmental responsibility.
Beyond reviewing the coastal cleanup, the comprehensive meeting focused heavily on restructuring how India’s scientific achievements are communicated to the wider public. Dr. Singh strongly advocated for the establishment of city-based scientific clusters to bring together regional institutions and stakeholders, urging departments to move beyond institutional boundaries. To achieve this, the meeting assessed the progress of the proposed ‘Digital Library of Scientific Achievements,’ a unified digital repository intended to house videos and communication products showcasing impactful scientific work. The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) has been designated as the nodal institution responsible for developing the implementation framework for this ambitious library. Additionally, the Minister evaluated the ongoing digital outreach strategies of major departments including DST, DBT, DSIR/CSIR, and MoES, specifically praising the creation of engaging, short-form content designed to take complex technological breakthroughs directly to the citizens.
Further reinforcing the government’s commitment to scientific popularization, the committee reviewed the progress of ‘Vigyan Ki Baat,’ an innovative monthly lecture series launched by the Department of Science & Technology to highlight the pioneering research of India’s autonomous institutions. The highly anticipated second edition of the series is scheduled for September 26 and will feature the Director of the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, focusing on critical global advancements in foundational physical sciences and quantum technology. The pivotal joint meeting was attended by the country’s top scientific leadership, including Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood; Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale; and Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology, Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare, all of whom committed to strengthening the communication ecosystem and ensuring that significant technological innovations are conveyed in a timely and accessible manner to the masses.
Published by True Roots Media Network