Latest news with #RoyalInstitution
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
A great ambassador for science: Jayant Narlikar's efforts to popularise science in India
Jayant V Narlikar did more than perhaps any other scientist to take science to the masses. He acted out of a deep conviction of its necessity, and of a lifetime of seeing the benefits of a scientific education and temper. Here are two examples. Lectures series: from England to India The lectures that Jayant V Narlikar attended at the Royal Institution (RI) during his time as an undergraduate student at Cambridge University had a powerful impact on the young researcher. He particularly recalled attending Nobel laureate Sir Lawrence Bragg's RI lecture on the importance of science popularisation and the various programs by RI to bring science to the masses. Narlikar's mentor and PhD guide, Fred Hoyle, had a great influence on his outlook towards science popularisation. Subsequently, Narlikar would use every opportunity that came his way to tell science stories in a manner that both children and grown-ups would like. His narrations in Marathi and Hindi found as many takers as those in English. His science popularisation efforts also made him popular, Narlikar recalled in one of his blogs. Following the publication of the Hoyle-Narlikar theory in the early 1960s, Discovery magazine reached out to Narlikar, then a research student, for a popular science article. Narlikar was initially hesitant, but Hoyle encouraged him. The article, titled 'Gravitational Collapse', was well received, and there were follow-up questions, new ideas, and mounting demand for copies of the article. On June 18, 1964, Hoyle and Narlikar got an opportunity to present their theory at the Proceedings of the Royal Society, a memorable day in his life, as Narlikar would recall later. That presentation fuelled more interest in the press and among the public about their work, which was compared with the work of Issac Newton and Albert Einstein. All this, Narlikar said, caught the attention of Indian diplomats, who urged him to plan a series of lectures in India. Narlikar was open to the idea of giving lectures in universities, colleges and research institutions, but he remained unimpressed by 'publicity'. Bharat Darshan: taking science to the masses To popularise science in the country, Narlikar took part in a 'Bharat Darshan' tour in February-March 1965. The tour, organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), covered Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bombay, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Madras, Calcutta, Banaras and Agra. The tour was a great success, and Narlikar met with President S Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Education Minister M C Chagla. After the Bharat Darshan tour concluded, Narlikar went on a private visit to Pune, during which he visited the famous Singhagad fort accompanied by the Pune District Collector and local dignitaries. By then, Narlikar's popularity had grown so much that local villagers requested that his car be briefly stopped so that they could catch a glimpse of the brilliant scholar, whom they described as a modern-day Sant Dnyaneshwar. Narlikar recounted that he was touched and humbled by these sentiments, a true appreciation of his idea of taking science to people. In Pune, the attendance for the 'Ask a Scientist' segment organised at 2 pm on every annual National Science Day (NSD) drew a full house at the Chandrashekhar auditorium of the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). Narlikar was a star, with students and parents patiently waiting to get a photo clicked with him. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the Science Day celebrations went online, Jayant Narlikar and his wife Mangala continued to be part of the celebrations. Mangala read out the questions, and Jayant engaged online with students for about an hour. IUCAA's science popularisation today has borne fruit from the seed that Narlikar had sown three decades ago.
Bloomberg
08-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
UK House Sales Gauge Hits Lowest Since 2023, Estate Agents Say
A closely watched indicator of the UK housing market plunged to the lowest level in almost two years after a property tax increase and Donald Trump's trade war sent buyers into hiding. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said its gauge of agreed sales dropped to minus 31 in April, meaning estate agents reporting a decline outnumbered significantly those seeing an increase. The reading was last weaker in August 2023.
Wall Street Journal
28-04-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
It Could Be a $250 Billion Market, But Almost No One Is Interested
On an overcast spring morning this year, a group of bankers, investors and officials from some of the world's largest companies gathered at the Royal Institution in London to discuss technologies they hope can save the world from the effects of climate change. Despite their optimism about advances in how carbon can be removed from the atmosphere, they reached a dispiriting conclusion as they sat around a table in a centuries-old building that has witnessed scientific breakthroughs going back to the Victorian era: The market that could drive carbon removal doesn't exist in any meaningful way and trying to scale it at the moment is a fruitless task.
Malay Mail
28-04-2025
- Malay Mail
MCMC investigates influencer for allegedly spreading false claims about royal institution
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is conducting an investigation against a social media influencer over the alleged dissemination of false information involving the Royal Institution. According to MCMC, two sessions of recording statements and further investigation involving the individual were carried out at MCMC's headquarters in Cyberjaya on Friday and today, following public complaints received under the provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998. 'Initial investigations found that the content linked to the influencer involved the dissemination of false information linking the Royal Institution with baseless allegations. 'There were also attempts to disclose personal information without consent, with the intent to annoy, harass, threaten, or disturb any person,' the statement read. The statement further noted that such actions could potentially cause public unrest, incite slander, pose threats to the safety of the individuals involved, and violate communication laws and personal data protection. MCMC stressed that all complaints would be investigated in accordance with the law, regardless of an individual's status, popularity or influence. 'Every investigation is conducted professionally, based on fair procedures and in accordance with the legal provisions under the CMA 1998, and serves as an initial step to gather related information,' MCMC said. At the same time, the public was reminded that any dissemination of content touching on 3R issues (Religion, Race, and Royalty) that is threatening, harassing, or intrusive of individual privacy is a serious offence and can result in action under the existing provisions. — Bernama
Daily Express
28-04-2025
- Daily Express
MCMC probes influencer over alleged spread of false information on royal institution
Published on: Monday, April 28, 2025 Published on: Mon, Apr 28, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is conducting an investigation against a social media influencer over the alleged dissemination of false information involving the Royal Institution. According to MCMC, two sessions of recording statements and further investigation involving the individual were carried out at MCMC's headquarters in Cyberjaya on Friday and today, following public complaints received under the provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998. "Initial investigations found that the content linked to the influencer involved the dissemination of false information linking the Royal Institution with baseless allegations. "There were also attempts to disclose personal information without consent, with the intent to annoy, harass, threaten, or disturb any person," the statement read. The statement further noted that such actions could potentially cause public unrest, incite slander, pose threats to the safety of the individuals involved, and violate communication laws and personal data protection. MCMC stressed that all complaints would be investigated in accordance with the law, regardless of an individual's status, popularity or influence. "Every investigation is conducted professionally, based on fair procedures and in accordance with the legal provisions under the CMA 1998, and serves as an initial step to gather related information," MCMC said. At the same time, the public was reminded that any dissemination of content touching on 3R issues (Religion, Race, and Royalty) that is threatening, harassing, or intrusive of individual privacy is a serious offence and can result in action under the existing provisions. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
