The second phase of Vigyan Jyoti programme has been commenced on the occasion of International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, 2021. This phase will cover 50 more districts in addition to the existing 50 districts across India. The programme encourages girls to nurture their interest in science and build a career in Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
About Vigyan Jyoti Programme
Launch: In 2019, by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology(MoST).
Purpose: To address the under-representation of women in certain areas of STEM.
1st Step: As an initial step to serve the purpose, the programme has been commenced at school level for meritorious girls of Class IX to Class XII to encourage and empower them to pursue STEM courses in reputed institutions of the country.
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas(JNVs)
The programme has been successfully running in 50 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) since December 2019 and now has been expanded to 50 more JNVs for the year 2021-22.
What is JNVs?
i.JNVs are a system of alternative schools for talented students predominantly from rural areas in India.
ii.They are run by Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Noida (UP), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Education, and Government of India.
iii.They are fully residential and co-educational schools affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi, with classes from VI to XII standard.
iv.Currently there are 662 JNVs spread in 29 states and 7 Union territories.
Activities:
- The activities include, student-parent counselling, visit to labs and knowledge centres, etc.,.
- In addition to this, online academic support to students is also given including, streaming of video classes, study materials, daily practice problems and doubt clearing sessions.
Note: The New Education Policy(NEP) 2020 and the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2020 will remove the barrier of under representation of women and also helps to increase the number of women in science.
Other Women-Centric Programmes Offered by DST
DST offers many women centric programmes to bring gender equality in Science & Technology (S&T) domain including the following:
i.Indo-U.S. Fellowship for WISTEMM
Announced: The Indo-U.S. Fellowship for Women in STEMM- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (WISTEMM) program was jointly announced by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and Indo-U.S. Science & Technology Forum (IUSSTF).
Aim: To provide opportunities to Indian Women Scientists, Engineers & Technologists to carry out international collaborative research in leading institutions in U.S.A. This will improve their research capacities and capabilities.
ii.Consolidation of University Research For Innovation And Excellence in Women (CURIE):
Launched: 2009
Purpose: To strengthen Research & Development(R&D) infrastructure and establish state-of-the-art research facilities in women only universities.
iii.Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI)
Purpose: To introduce a gender equality framework for women in STEMM research in India.
Undertaken: It will be carried out in mission mode at National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC), in close cooperation with DST’s KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing) Division and British Council.
iv.Established AI Labs in Women Universities
It also established Artificial Intelligence (AI) labs in women universities.
Aim: To encourage AI innovations and to prepare skilled manpower for future AI-based jobs.
Recent Related News:
i.On June 9 , 2020 ,Vijay Rupani Gujarat Chief Minister , announced the phase 2 and phase 3 of the Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI ) scheme to fill Saurashtra’s 115 dams with Narmada water by August 15,2020 and March ,2021 in GandhiNagar,Gujarat. The SAUNI yojana is a multipurpose project designed to provide irrigation and drinking water in the Saurashtra regions.
ii.On October 14, 2020 Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan virtually launched the Second Phase of “Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana” from Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi. It will benefit underprivileged patients.
About Ministry of Science & Technology(MoST):
Union Minister– Dr. Harsh Vardhan(Constituencies- Chandni Chowk,New Delhi)
Departments– Department of Science & Technology (DST),Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR)/Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
