Science and Technology in Hindi
Science writing in Hindi appears to have began in 1818 (Patariya, 2000) with the publication of a magazine named “Hindi Digdarshan,” copies of which were circulated to many schools in West Bengal. ‘Digdarshan' regularly incorporated materials on science, a trend that was not in vogue at that time even in contemporary reputed Hindi publication 'Udant martand' (1928) credited to be the first Hindi newspaper. Patairiya (2000) further narrates that a questionnaire related to chemistry way published in Hindi, named, "Rasayan Prakash Prashnottar' in 1847 by Agra School Book Society. The trend was followed with subsequent publications of 'Saral Vigyan Vitap' (1860), Sulabh Beej ganit” (1875) and ‘Gati Vigyan’ (1885) from various academic institutions. Efforts were also made to translate notable works of English scientific publications into Hindi language during that period.
The Beginning
Science writer Shiv Gopal Mishra (2001) considers the period of 1840-1914 as the 'Emergence period of Hindi science writing. This early beginning was followed by a prolonged period of Hindi science writing characterized by the sporadic writings and publications of Hindi science articles in different publications by many science enthusiasts and writers like Pandit Sudhkar Dwivedi , Pandit Laxmi Shankar Dwivedi, Pandit Laxmi Shankar Mishra and Shri Mahesh Charan Sinha. Such prolonged period of Hindi science writing in fact paved the way for establishment of some full fledged organizations devoted solely to science writing, prominent among them being “Vigyan Parishad Prayag' established on 10 March 1913. The 100th anniversary celebrations of this august body devoted to science writing began on the 13th March 2012 and were inaugurated by our esteemed Ex. President A P J Abdul Kalam. Vigyan Parishat initiated the publication of a monthly magazine 'Vigyan' in 1915 which is being ceaselessly published since then. The magazine Vigyan has attracted the attention of so many budding
The Beginning
Science writer Shiv Gopal Mishra (2001) considers the period of 1840-1914 as the 'Emergence period of Hindi science writing. This early beginning was followed by a prolonged period of Hindi science writing characterized by the sporadic writings and publications of Hindi science articles in different publications by many science enthusiasts and writers like Pandit Sudhkar Dwivedi , Pandit Laxmi Shankar Dwivedi, Pandit Laxmi Shankar Mishra and Shri Mahesh Charan Sinha. Such prolonged period of Hindi science writing in fact paved the way for establishment of some full fledged organizations devoted solely to science writing, prominent among them being “Vigyan Parishad Prayag' established on 10 March 1913. The 100th anniversary celebrations of this august body devoted to science writing began on the 13th March 2012 and were inaugurated by our esteemed Ex. President A P J Abdul Kalam. Vigyan Parishat initiated the publication of a monthly magazine 'Vigyan' in 1915 which is being ceaselessly published since then. The magazine Vigyan has attracted the attention of so many budding
References: :- 1. Mishra, Shiv Gopal (2001), “Hindi Men Vigyan Lekhan ke Sau Varsh (100 years of science writing in Hindi) Vol 1, Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi. 2. Mishra, Sihv Gopal, (2001), Hindi men Vigyan Lekhan ke Sau Varsh (100 years of science writing in Hindi) Val II, Vigyan Prasar, 2001, New Delhi. 3. Mishra, Shiv Gopal and Vishnudatt Sharma (2002), Swastantrata Parvarti Hindi Vigyan Lekhan 'Hindi science writing after independence (part 1), 1950-1970, Bhartiya Prakasham Sansthan, Dariyagant, New Delhi. 4. Patariya Manoj (2000), Hindi Vigyan Patrakarita (Hindi Science Journalism), Takshshila Prakashan, Dariyaganj, New Delhi. 5. Lal Darshan, Indu Arora, Arvind Mishra & Zakir Ali. 'Rajnish ' (2012), Role of science blogs in developing scientific temper through digital media, pre-proceedings, Internaterial conference in Science Communication for scientific temper , 10-12 January 2012, New Delhi (NISCAIR, CSIR, Vigyan Prasar & NCSTS’s joint venture). PS: Paper was presented by the second author in "First Vigyan Sahitya Sammelan" i.e. First Science Literature Conference organised by Marathi Vigyan Parishad ,Solapur Vibhag (chapter) held in Solapur,Maharashtra on 17-18 March ,2002.