Commoners too can subscribe to ‘Vijnana Loka’ now

HUBBALLI: While many government-sponsored newsletters are struggling for survival, ‘Vijnana Loka’, a bi-monthly published by Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA), is all set to reach out to the masses from April.
The magazine, which is in publication since 2007, was restricted for government and private colleges, university libraries and science organisations. Now, anybody can subscribe to it, and science writers and enthusiasts term this move as a boost to spread scientific temper among the public.
Editor-in-chief P S Shanker told TOI that many science journals have been stopped due to poor response from readers.“Publishing a science journal, that too a in regional language, is a challenging job. However, KSTA has been successfully publishing the journal for the past 15 years. Till now, it is being sent to government and aided PU colleges, public and universities libraries and science centres. However, there was a request from educational institutions, non-government organisations, highschools and individuals too for copies,” he explained.
Nagesh Hegde, science and environment communicator and a member of KSTA, said that science journals are always devoid of thrill and glamour. “But Vijnana Loka is creating curiosity of learning among readers. Currently, senior scientists and writers are contributing to it. More young writers too must utilise this platform,” he observed.
Science writer Kalgundi Naveen said that the printing quality of the journal is on a par with any other mainstream journal. “Many times, science journals fail because of the language-specific jargon used in articles. But this journal has been attracting readers because of its simple language. Many scientists and science writers are contributing articles on various issues and researches. That is why it’s been running successfully for 15 years, which itself is an achievement,” he said.
A M Ramesh, chief executive officer, KSTA, said that the price of single copy is Rs 50 and Rs 300 for an annual subscription. “Once the interested pay the subscription fee, copy will be despatched to their address,” he added.