Most of the people are concerned to their health and recent COVID pandemic has motivated laymen to know about the nitty-gritty of health and scientific research. Science communication brings behavioural changes and the popular science magazines like Vigyan Pragati and Science Reporter play a very effective role in this direction. Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General, Indian Council of Medical research (ICMR) was sharing his thoughts on 10 April 2023 at ICMR Headquarter during the release function of Health Special issues of CSIR popular science magazines called ‘Vigyan Pragati’ & ‘Science Reporter’.

Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR said on the occasion that these two magazines of CSIR carry a legacy of seven decades and serve the great responsibility to inculcate scientific temper in the society through the dissemination of authentic S&T knowledge.

The special issues comprise of several health-related articles such as mental health, epidemiology, lifestyle diseases, maternal & oral health, health consequences of child marriage. The authors of the issues are the working scientists of ICMR labs who came together in a workshop at CSIR-NIScPR on 16 Nov. 2022 and this is a tangible outcome of that workshop.

Hasan Jawaid Khan, Editor of Science Reporter and Dr. Manish Mohan Gore, Editor, Vigyan Pragati also shared their views during the program. Dr. Rajeev, Sr. Financial Advisor, DHR; Dr. Rajni Kant, Director, RMRC, Gorakhpur; Head of Departments at ICMR; Dr. Enna Dogra, Scientist, ICMR, Sonali Nagar, Sr. Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR & Shubhada Kapil, Assistant Editor, Vigyan Pragati;  Pallav Bagla, Science Journalist also joined the event.