CHAMARAJPET: Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha has brought out Vignana Siri, a collection of 25 popular science articles by women science communicators.
Sangha President Dr Vasundhara Bhupathi is the editor-in-chief of this volume and the editors are G V Nirmala and Gayatri Murthy, both senior writers. The book contains articles on fundamental science, medicine, agriculture, technology and other disciplines.
“This is our first contribution to science literature. It is a moment of pride for all of us at the Lekhakiyara Sangha as, though many women write on science in Kannada, this is perhaps the first time in India that a book like this has been compiled — a book that popularises science through the work of women writers,” Dr Vasundhara says.
The association has already published Lekha-Loka, an informative volume based on literary works by women writers, an anthology of poems and a collection of plays.
“Vignana Siri throws light on scientific developments, from stem cells to Higgs Boson. We have also written about the most common health problems over the past three decades,” says Vasundhara, who has recently been re-elected president of the Sangha.
Veteran writer Dr Leeladevi Devadas has written on stem cells (Aakara Koshagalu) beautifully while All India Radio programme executive Sumangala S Mummigatti’s article gives details about the National Science Day (celebrated on February 28).
Well-known science writer Srimathi Hariprasad’s article on food processing and nutrients (Aahara Samskarane and Poshakamshagalu) explains the different nutritional elements in our food.
Dr B S Shailaja, director of Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bengaluru, writes about the human eye (Hosa Kannugalu -- Hosa Notagalu) and gives a brief account of the world of telescopes and their functions in space exploration.
Vasundhara offers tips to improve one’s lifestyle to lead a good life. Dr N S Leela’s ‘Thale Shoole-Enidara Rahasya?’ (Headache-What’s Behind It?) elucidates causes of and cures for headache. Dr H Girijamma’s article on tumours among women, Gayatri Murthy’s ‘Sadgunagala Aagara Neeru’, Dr K S Chaitra’s ‘Aaha...Hallugalu’ (on dental health) and G V Nirmala’s article on e-waste are worth reading too.
Dr Y C Kamala’s ‘Higgs Boson Mattu Satyendranath Bose’ is informative while HAL Deputy General Manager Nemichandra’s write-up talks about the effects of mobile phone radiation. Dr Veena Bhat writes on delivery of children, Dr Asha Benakappa on light-emitting diodes and Savitha Srinivas on forensic sciences.
The focus shifts to mental health with Dr K S Pavitra’s piece on depression and its cure and Dr Vijayalakshmi Balekundri’s on laughing.Vignana Siri, priced at `200,
is available at Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha, #206, Second Floor, Vijaya Mansion, Second Cross, Second Main, Chamarajpet.