पुस्तक-परिचय

चूहा सात पूँछों वाला (कहानी –संग्रह)
लेखक : गिजुभाई बधेका
अनुवाद , रूपान्तरण और चित्रांकन: आबिद सुरती
मूल्य:35 रुपये ,पृष्ठ :40 (आवरण पृष्ठ सहित)
प्रकाशक : नेशनल बुक ट्र्स्ट इण्डिया ,नेहरू भवन, 5 इंस्टीट्यूशनल एरिया वसन्तकुंज फेज़-2 ,नई दिल्ली-110070
गिजुभाई जी ने बरसों पहले कहानी के बारे में शिक्षकों से कहा था –“आप इन्हें रसीले ढंग से कहिए ,कहानी सुनाने के लहज़े में कहिए ।कहानी भी ऐसी चुनें ,जो बच्चों की उम्र से मेल खाती हो । भैया मेरे ,एक काम आप कभी न करना ।ये कहानियाँ आप बच्चों को रटाना नहीं।बल्कि ,पहले आप खुद अनुभव करें कि ये कहानियाँ जादू की छड़ी–सी हैं।…।पण्डित बनकर कभी कहानी नहीं सुनाना।कील की तरह बोध ठोंकने की कोशिश नहीं करना । कभी थोपना भी नहीं।”
इन पंक्तियों में कहानी सुनाने में जो उद्देश्य निहित है, वह स्पष्ट है-
1-कहानी पढ़ाने की चीज़ नहीं-कहने की चीज़ है।
2-कहानी कहने का ढंग रसीला होना चाहिए ।
3-कहानी आयु-वर्ग के अनुकूल हो ।
4- कहानी रटवाई न जाए ।
5- कहानी सुनाने में सहजता हो , पाण्डित्य प्रकट न हो ।
6- बोध कील की तरह न ठोंकना न थोपना । बोधगम्यता सहज और स्वाभाविक हो ।
बच्चों को भाषा सिखाने में कहानियों की भूमिका बहुत गहरी है । इस संग्रह में ये आठ कहानियाँ हैं ,जो अपने आप में रोचकता लिये हुए हैं –चूहा सात पूँछोंवाला,जो न बोले सो निहाल ,सौ के साठ ,चिरौटा चार सौ बीस ,किस्सा एक दाने का ,जोगी या भोगी ,फूफू बाबा ,करते हो सो कीजिए ।प्रत्येक कहानी का तेवर और स्वर अलग-अलग है ।
इन कहानियों का हिन्दी अनुवाद प्रसिद्ध कार्टूनिस्ट आबिद सुरती जी ने किया है । अनुवाद अत्यन्त सरल, सहज एवं ग्राह्य है । चित्रों के साथ लोककथाओं का रंग इन्हें और रोचक बना देता है । बच्चों तक अगर ये कहानियाँ पहुँचती हैं तो नि:सन्देह भाषा के प्रति और अधिक रुचि जाग्रत होगी ।
-रामेश्वर काम्बोज’हिमांशु’

WORLD BOOK DAY(23rd April,2009)

Science Communication amongst Children : Challenges and Prospects
Dr. Manoj Patairiya
Director (Scientist 'F')
National Council. for Science & Technology Communication
Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi 110016 (India)
Phone: +91-11-26537976, 26590238; Fax :26866675
Email : <mkp@nic.in> <manojpatairiya@yahoo.com>
Website : <www.dst.gov.in> <www.iscos.org>

          The World Science Report of UNESCO states, literacy understood as an everyday working knowledge of science, is as necessary as reading and writing (literacy in the commonly understood sense) for a satisfactory way of life in the modern world. Scientific literacy is necessary for there to be a capable workforce, for the economic and healthy well-being of the social fabric and every person, and for the exercise of participatory democracy. It also implies the ability to respond to the technical issues that pervade and influence our daily lives. It rather points out to the comprehension of what might be called the scientific approach, or the scientific way of conduct, or even the method of science. The major segment of these efforts is also focused upon children, as we need to them young to be able to change the country to be a nation of scientifically aware and attitudinally rational people.

          There has been a common belief more -recently that only things having commercial and economic viability will sustain in today fast advancing world that is governed and influenced by commercial and economic factors. The issue of increasing influence of commerce on scientific research and development and problems arising thereof has been the focus of the policy makers and media recently. A step ahead, the efforts directed towards science communication amongst children can someway influence the way we think and behave. Such efforts may also lead to enabling them to take informed and rational decisions in their day to day life without any bias or prejudice and that is the spirit of scientific temper.

          Most of the time, we have been debating on various aspects of communication. When a communicator tries to make it in most cases it turns out as As a contrast, when you try to make it it may turn up as or The real challenge lies in making a balance between both of them, so that it may become scientifically accurate at one hand and palatable to the children on other. Science communication may also be clearly understood in its broad perspective, technical communication and popular communication being sub-sets. More impetus is required to be on popular science communication to improve scientific literacy in the country, especially amongst young people.

         

          It emerged that technical science communication is directed towards dissemination of scientific research especially to the experts such as research papers, research journals, seminar proceedings, etc. Popular science communication has less well-defined goals. It serves the practical function of building the foundation of public awareness on which technical science communication is based but it fulfils other roles as well. It provides trustworthy knowledge about the world and out selves and it is a source of excitement. It helps us develop an attitude of critical rationality and it is a source of non-partisan expertise, a necessity in an age when governments and other organizations require scientific advice when taking many decisions. Popular science is public oriented, not proprietary. Some of its objects include, wealth creation, improving health, preserving the environment, and developing scientific attitude and so on. Society needs both kinds of science communication for its overall development.

          Developmental change emerges within specific economic, social, and ideological contexts, and in turn reshapes the thinking and working of institutions as well as individuals. Awareness and more precisely, the scientific and technological awareness can bring about these positive changes in an appropriate manner. The last two decades have been characterized by the rapid development of new scientific and technological advancements across a wide range of fields. Access to these advancements is distributed very unevenly within the country. Even people in far flung areas often lack access not only to leading edge technologies, but also modern scientific knowledge. Overcoming problems of access to these technologies and knowledge is important for economic and social growth.

          Basic sciences are attracting little talent nowadays for pursuing research and higher studies. It is a matter of grave concern that many of the science departments at undergraduate level are left with substantial number of vacant seats for lack of interest by the younger generation in science. This may lead to a crisis in the area of science and technology and so as in the area of science communication. Induction of a good quantum of talent in science and technology may explicitly or implicitly lead to enhanced scientific awareness. Incidentally, the Department of Science and Technology has recently introduced a number of fellowship schemes to attract young brilliant minds towards basic sciences, such as INSPIRE.

          Some of other challenges that come to the fore are : to arrive at a consensus over quantum of minimum science, ways and means for linking scientific awareness with education campaigns, to cope up with stereotype science education, to develop a science fun learning culture, resolving the gap! conflict between scientists and communicators, forging connecting links between scientific information and development, etc. A fine blend of scientific knowledge and a scientific bent of mind holds the key to develop a problem solving approach and create a conducive environment for the overall child development.

- Manoj Patairiya

 

The Blessing of Children

The Blessing of Children

 

Of all blessings we know of none greater than
the begetting of children endowed with intelligence.

 

Those who bear children of blameless character
will be untouched by evil for seven births.

 

It is said that children are a man's real wealth,
and that this wealth is determined by his deeds.

 

Far sweeter than divine nectar is simple boiled rice
stirred by the small hands of one's own child.

 

The touch of one's children is a delight to the body,
and listening to them chatter is a joy to the ear.

 

"Sweet are the sounds of the flute and the lute," say those
who have not heard the prattle of their own children.

 

A father benefits his son best by preparing him
to sit at the forefront of learned councils.

 

What pleasure it is to human beings everywhere
when their children possess knowledge surpassing their own!

 

When a mother hears her son heralded as a good and learned man,
her joy exceeds that of his joyous birth.

 

The son's duty to his father is to make the world ask,
"By what great austerities did he merit such a son?"

Presented By :Devendra Singh

The best investment

I have always believed that the best investment one can and should make is in his/her own children. This investment,if made wisely,will continue to pay dividends to parents throughout their lives. Money in the bank,career development,social status and recognition,are all useless if our children cannot fulfill missions for which God has sent them here. The wisdom pointers below immensely make sense to me.

Devendra Singh

बस्ते से बाहर कॉपी –पेंसिल

बस्ते से बाहर कॉपी –पेंसिल

लेखक :श्री पंकज चतुर्वेदी

चित्रांकन :श्री मेहुल

मूल्य : 40 रुपये , पृष्ठ : 16 (कवर सहित)

प्रकाशक : रूम टू रीड इंडिया पब्लिकेशंस

ई-18 ए ईस्ट ऑफ़ कैलाश नई दिल्ली ११००६५

'बस्ते से बाहर कॉपी –पेंसिल' पुस्तक नई कल्पना को सँजोकर लिखी है । जो आम तौर पर बाल साहित्य लिखा जा रहा है , यह पुस्तक पुस्तक उससे हटकर है ।बस्ते में बन्द कॉपी और पेंसिल में विवाद होता है । बस्ता परेशान हो उठा ।उसने दोनों को बस्ते से बाहर निकलकर दौड़ लगाने के लिए कहा । जो सबसे तेज़ दौड़ेगा , वही अव्वल माना जाएगा। दोनों का अपना-अपना अहंकार है ।दोनों बस्ते से बाहर निकल कर दौड़ पड़ते हैं और आँधी में फँस जाते हैं। कॉपी जब उड़ने लगी तो पेंसिल उस पर सवार होकर उसे बचा लेती है। साथ ही चाँदनी रात का मज़ा भी लेती है । जान बचाने पर कॉपी पेंसिल को धन्यवाद देती है।

परोक्ष रूप में साथ-साथ रहने एवं सामंजस्य का निर्वाह करने को महत्त्व प्रदान किया गया है ।बाल-मन की उड़ान को पंकज जी ने कथा–सूत्र में बाँधकर प्रस्तुत किया है ।लेखक इस कार्य में सफल हुआ है कि बच्चों के परिवेश की कहानी उनसे सर्वाधिक निकट होती है ।यह पुस्तक प्रकाशन के –'शिक्षा वह माध्यम है जिसका उपयोग वे जीवन भर करते हैं।' उद्देश्य को एवं स्वस्थ चिन्तन को विकसित करने में सक्षम है । चित्रांकन कहानी के अनुरूप एवं प्रभावशाली है ।

रामेश्वर काम्बोज 'हिमांशु'