‘Mihimandala’ video series which covers 12 scientific topics, produced by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2005/06 has won an international award, “Manthan Award South Asia 2011”, at the award ceremony held at Habitat Centre, organized by Digital Empowerment Foundation, New Delhi, India on 1&2 December 2011. It was also won e-Swabhimani 2011 Special Merit Award instituted by the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Sri Lanka.
The Manthan Award South Asia is first of its kind initiative in India recognizes and felicitates emerging and best practices in e-content for education and development across the South Asia. There are 12 categories of this award, and ‘Mihimandala’ won one of the first places (out of two; the other one was won by Bangladesh) under the e-Science category. Therefore, Mihimandala video series has been recognized by the Manthan Award as the best ICT project in the South Asia.The meaning of the term ‘Manthan’ is ‘churning’ (this comes from ‘Samudra manthan’ of the ‘Mahabharath’). According to Mr Osama Mansar, the Founder Director, Digital Empowerment Foundation, the winning products of the competition are like ‘Amrith’ after churning the ocean of ICT.
Mihimandala video series was created, coordinated and monitored by the Advisory Board to the
Science Popularization Division under the directions provided by late Prof. M.T.M. Jiffry, then Chairman of the Committee, and Prof. Sirimali Fernando, Chairperson of the NSF. Young Asia Television (YATV) was the production house selected by the NSF to produce the video series. This video series was produced in all three languages (Sinhala, Tamil, and English) with the objective of creating a knowledge based society – a society that would understand the basis of science and technology, and how it would impact on their lives; how it can be utilized to improve their daily activities. Mihimandala video series was telecast over three national channels; Sinhala version via ITN, and TNL, Tamil and English versions over Channel Eye of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.
Science Popularization Division under the directions provided by late Prof. M.T.M. Jiffry, then Chairman of the Committee, and Prof. Sirimali Fernando, Chairperson of the NSF. Young Asia Television (YATV) was the production house selected by the NSF to produce the video series. This video series was produced in all three languages (Sinhala, Tamil, and English) with the objective of creating a knowledge based society – a society that would understand the basis of science and technology, and how it would impact on their lives; how it can be utilized to improve their daily activities. Mihimandala video series was telecast over three national channels; Sinhala version via ITN, and TNL, Tamil and English versions over Channel Eye of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.Dr Jayantha Wattavidanage, Chairman of the NSF National Committee on Science Popularization, and Mr K.G. Janaka Karunasena, Scientific Officer of the Science Popularization Division, who coordinated production of the video series, received the Award on behalf of the NSF. Dr Wattavidanage made a presentation on Mihimandala video series at the e-Science Session of the Manthan Award Conference.
A Special Merit Award also won by the Mihimandala under e-Science and Technology category of e-Swabhimani 2011 organized by the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Sri Lanka. The Award Ceremony was held at Water’s Edge on 22 November 2011.
Following scientists contributed their knowledge and valuable time to make “Mihimandala” a successful project.
- Landslides - Mr. R.M.S. Bandara (National Building Research Organization)
- Floods and Drought - Dr B.R.S.B.Basnayake (Meteorology Department)
- Lightning and Thunder - Mr. K.R. Abhayasingha (Meteorology Department)
- Cyclone and Tornadoes - Mr. S. H. Kariyawasam (Meteorology Department)
- Tsunami - Dr W. Kehelpannala (Institute of Fundamental Studies)
- First Aids - Dr. Sarath M. Samarage (St. John Ambulance Sri Lanka)
- Organic Farming - Mr. Ranjith Silva (Gemi Seva Sevana)
- Pesticides - Dr G. K. Manuweera (Pesticides Registrar’s Office)
- Rain Water Harvesting - Dr P. B. Dharmasena (Field Crop Research Institute)
- Post harvest Loss of - Dr. K.H. Sarananda (Horticultural Research Institute) Fruits and Vegetables
- Careers in Science - Prof. M. J. S. Wijeratne (University of Kelaniya)
- Nanotechnology - Prof. S. Ravi P. De Silva (University of Surrey, UK)
Read More about "Mihimadala" Manthan Award
Read More about "e-Swabhimani 2011" special Merit Award
Read More about "Mihimadala" TV series.
For more details please contact : Mr. K.G. Janaka Karunasena, Scientific Officer cum NSF Media Coordinator
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