Meet the Team
Dr. Arvind C Ranade (PhD, MSc)
Scientist ‘F’ at Vigyan Prasar
(An autonomous organization under Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India)
rac@vigyanprasar.gov.in
Dr Arvind C. Ranade is the National Coordinator of the Vigyan Prasar network of Science Clubs 'VIPNET'. He has been associated with Vigyan Prasar since 2004. He is the architect of the new framework of VIPNET project who sets and evolves the strategic direction for the VIPNET clubs. He aspires to have a scientifically literate nation. He intended to empower every Vipnetian to be more informed, creative and productive by delivering exceptional experiences, knowledge products and resource material.
Highest Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)-Pune University
Stream: Astronomical Spectroscopy
Alma Mater: Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune
- More than 100 popular scientific articles and columns in print and electronic media.
- Honoured with Lilabai Pitkar Award for the first rank in the Department of Space Sciences of University of Pune in year 2000
- Awarded with “Aacharya Shree” by Vipin Joshi Foundation of Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh in September 2013 and “ERADA Vigyan Puraskar” by Educational Research and Development Academy of Latur, Maharashtra in December 2017.
- Represented India in the International Conferences in Poland, Columbia and Qatar.
- Life member of Astronomical Society of India, Meteorological Society of India and Indian Science Congress Association.
- Conceptualized, designed and produced numerous audio and video programme on astronomy in Vigyan Prasar.
- Delivered numerous popular talks on Astronomy and Space Science in national & International levels.
- Conducted more than 250 teachers training programmes, workshops and conferences for developing scientific attitude among the general public.
Shri. Sachin C. Narwadiya (M.Sc , PGDMLT, PGJMC)
Scientist ‘D’ at Vigyan Prasar
(An autonomous organization under Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India)
sachin@vigyanprasar.gov.in
Shri. Sachin C. Narwadiya is coordinating the digital platforms of the Vigyan Prasar network of Science Clubs’ VIPNET’. He has been associated with Vigyan Prasar since 2011. He was part of teachers, training workshops, popular lectures through VIPNET. He is looking after the Social Media Visibility of VIPNET Clubs.
- Produced Science News for RSTV titled as Science Monitor and Gyan Vigyan during 2011 to 2018.
- Second merit award for best individual presentation during 11th DST foundation Programme at IIPA, New Delhi
- Achievements as Scientist in Vigyan Prasar :-
- As Quiz Master conducted Quiz competitions among all North-East states students. In 2017 there were 6000 students participated while in 2018 about 9000 students participated. This is first time Quiz on basis of Film content at such mass scale executed.
- Published 20 Research Papers in peer reviewed journals, 12 Oral presentations in conferences.
- Undergone training of R.N.T.C.P at State TB Center, Nagpur, from 1st Nov.2002 to 10th Nov.2002.
- Undergone training on Basic DNA Techniques at Hi Media Laboratories Pvt Ltd from 01/04/2008 to 05/04/2008.
- Quantitative Analysis for Empirical Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre, Nagpur from 21st to 23 January 2009.
- Twelve week Foundation Training for Scientists and Technologists in Administration Sponsored by DST at Indian Institute Public Administration, New Delhi.( 14th November 2011 to 03 rd February 2012).
- AusAID-DFAT Workshop on Safe Water at National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR) and Indian Institute for Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow Date: 23-27 March, 2015
- Training course on demographic data analysis for health personnel, Department of Statistics and Demography, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Munirka, New Delhi-110067 date: 4 - 8 January, 2016
Dr. Nidhi Shrivastava (PhD, MSc)
Project Scientist at Vigyan Prasar
(An autonomous organization under Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India)
nidhishrivastava@vigyanprasar.gov.in
Nidhi, is the Project Scientist, working for VIPNET project of Vigyan Prasar. She recently joined Vigyan Prasar and aims to spread her passion for science through translating science for the general public and raise scientific awareness among them. She now manages the entire VIPNET clubs- right from registration to recognition of VIPNET Clubs, VIPNET website, VIPNET newsletter etc with her team.
Highest Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR)
Stream: Biological Sciences
Alma Mater: CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow
- DHR Women Scientist (Oct’ 2016- April’ 2019)
Project Title: Purpose PD: Drug repurposing strategies to identify approved drugs capable of abrogating α-synuclein fibrils to check Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies - SERB National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (July’2016)
Project Title: Metagenome-guided endotoxin free bioplastics production from waste - Eight peer reviewed scientific papers in international journals
- Identified and Submitted sequence of novel HCH dehydrochlorinase, linA gene to GenBank having accession numbers KF534794, KF534795, KF534796, KF534797 & KF534798, respectively (2014).
- Qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) Dec’2008 as CSIR-Junior Research Fellow
- State level topper of Science Olympiad, 2000
Mr. Vipin Singh Rawat (PGDM, B.Tech)
Technical Assistant at Vigyan Prasar
(An autonomous organization under Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India)
vipin@vigyanprasar.gov.in
Vipin Singh Rawat, is the Technical Assistant, working for Astronomy and VIPNET Project of Vigyan Prasar. He has joined Vigyan Prasar in September, 2013 and since then working for VIPNET and astronomy popularization. He is actively organizing astronomy awareness and telescope making workshops for VIPNET Science Clubs, Schools, teachers and amateur astronomers and general public. He is involved in designing and development of Resource Material for Astronomy training programmes and also delivering popular talks on astronomy and telescope making.
Highest Qualification: Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)
Stream: Operations Research and Marketing Management (Dual Specialization)
Alma Mater: Institute of Management & Technology (IMT-CDL), Ghaziabad
- Developed more than 600 telescopes through different telescope making workshops all across the country.
- Conducted various teacher’s training, orientation programmes, workshops etc. on state as well as national level.
- Certificate of recognition for being the organizing committee member of Guinness Book of world record for ‘Largest Practical Science Lesson’ organized on 7th December 2015 at IIT Delhi during India International Science Festival 2015.
- Certificate course on fabrication of 'Night Sky Photometer' at Inter University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pune.
- One week ‘Astronomy training programme’ at Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital.
- Summer training for one month in Bharat Electronics Limited, a govt. of India (Ministry of Defense) Enterprise Bharat Nagar, Ghaziabad on Study of Radar Transmitter.
Pavan Bhati (MA, BA)
Data Entry Operator at Vigyan Prasar
(An autonomous organization under Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India)
vipnet@vigyanprasar.gov.in
Pavan, is the youngest member of the team who believes that science educations is the best tool to empower people. He is the backbone of the project and solely responsible for managing and storing of all the data of the VIPNET club members, their activity reports etc. He is also the prime contact person for any query regarding VIPNET clubs registration, up gradation, activity report submission etc.
Highest Qualification: Masters of Arts
Stream: Political Science
Alma Mater: Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Uttar Pradesh
- Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application from Cambridge Institute, Sikandrabad
- Organizing member of various state and national level programmes.
