U.P. Scientific Literacy Programme
When we say "informatics services" we seldom realize how vast a scope we cover in a multi-dimension canvas such as India. Only when the User utilizes our services fruitfully and expresses his satisfaction are we able to gauge just where and how we stand. The work done by the Uttar Pradesh State Unit of NIC in monitoring the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Jatha - 92 elicited appreciative response.
Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BJGVJ-92) was launched as a Mass Action for National Regeneration (MANAR) in order to alleviate the basic problems in General and Scientific Literacy among the people of the Country. With the involvement of millions of individuals from voluntary agencies, schools, colleges, research laboratories, artists and thinkers, an attempt was made to inculcate a scientific approach in the people to solve their basic problems. The National Informatics Centre was entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring this massive programme. Mr Harish Chandra, Secretary, Science and Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh, elaborates on why exactly NIC was chosen for the task:
"Since there exists a lot of information associated with each activity (of the Programme); it was decided to use modern "Information Technology", available with National Informatics Centre, for the development and implementation of MIS for the creation of databases of Science and Technology and inventory of persons along with details of resource material and associated institutes."
The Bharat Gyan Vigyan Jatha - 92, with 50,000 Local Organizing Councils (LOCs), 500 District Organizing Councils (DOCs), State Organizing Councils (SOCs) for all the states and union territories and a National Organizing Council (NOC) at the apex, touched the largest number of habitation in the history of the Jathas. NIC undertook the task of maintaining all information flow between all the Councils of the Jatha. How it was done is best said in the words of Mr Harish Chandra:
"In this regard, the nationwide satellite-based computer-communication Network NICNET, was extensively used to monitor the whole programme, and a lot of data has been communicated through this network, from districts of U.P. and vice versa."
The hard work put in by NIC did win the deserved appreciation. In an expressive note, Mr Harish Chandra lets us know that we have delivered once again:
"I express my heartiest congratulations and appreciation (to all NIC personnel involved in the Programme) ... for providing very useful support during the execution of this programme...
We hope that we will get similar support and co-operation in the future for the MIS development and implementation of S&T Programme in U.P. using services of NICNET."
But for the help and support from Mr Harish Chandra and all the other officials of the State Administration, the National Informatics Center could hardly have hoped to achieve what it did. That we bear in mind.