All India People’s Science Network
3rd EC Meeting on 21-22 January 2026, New Delhi
Agenda:
Welcome by Chairperson
Condolence Resolution
On Venezuela
Madhav Gadgil
K.K Theckadath
Gyan.Ranjan, Virendra Yadav
Vinod Kumar Shukla
Approval of the minutes of the last EC meeting
Activities undertaken after last EC - General Secretary
Reporting on Brainstorming workshop and follow up plan – Dinesh Abrol and
D.Raghunandan
All India Campaign: Future of India - D.Raghunandan & Asha Mishra
National Education Assembly 2026 and follow up plan
National Convention on Right to Health and follow up plan - Indranil & Richa
National Workshop on Climate impact on extreme rains and landslides in Dehradoon, March 2026: D.Raghunandan
Programme on Scientific Temper - Arunabha Mishra
Presentation of programme planned by Media desk : Kavita
Online Annual GC: General Secretary
Affiliation fees
Other matter with the permission of Chair
Concluding remarks by Chair
Agenda 1: Welcome by Chairperson
As President Satyajit Rath was unable to attend, Joint Secretary Satyajit Chakraborty chaired the meeting on the first day .He welcomed all the members to the 3rd EC meeting. . In his brief welcome remark, he talked about the changed situation in India and around the world. He communicated about the US administration's aggressive nature on Greenland, Venezuela, Iran social movement. He also highlighted about the new geopolitics with extremely elite rich hobnobbing with the states, reducing the ability of the states to intervene for poor, dismantling the framework for the states. In accordance to him, we all needed to recognize it, and short and long-term alternatives strategies would require.
Agenda 2: Condolence Resolutions and condemn statement
AIPSN condemns the US action on Venezuela
The abduction and arrest of Nicolas Maduro and his wife by the Donald Trump administration is a blatant act of war, a raw demonstration of imperial power and an illegal intervention in another country's internal affairs. The invasion of one sovereign nation to arrest its elected leader on unproven charges is a gross violation of international law and the United Nations charter. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez who took over charge after Maduro’s abduction has said “The war on drugs is a pretext, and the United States' true objective is regime change and control of the country's energy, mineral and natural resources “. It must be noted that Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, which the USA is attempting to expropriate. The right of self-determination of countries must be a non-negotiable in the modern world order.
The fake charges against the Venezuelan government echo the pretext of weapons of mass destruction used to invade Iraq. It is also very similar to the 1989 US invasion of Panama to capture Manuel Noriega. The accusation against Venezuela of a drug and weapons war against the United States is a fabricated narrative. There is no credible evidence emerging from any international agency, judicial body, or even official government data in the United States to prove so.
The AIPSN unequivocally condemns the unprovoked brazen military invasion and bombing of Venezuela which constitute war crimes. These criminal actions against Venezuela follow the criminal bombings against Iran and Gaza/Palestine by the imperialist USA and its allies in recent months. These actions of the USA dramatically increase the risk of worldwide escalation of war with unforeseen consequences for the whole world. We stand by and support the struggle of the people of Venezuela to defend their country, in the face of formidable odds, against this American imperialist intervention. The AIPSN calls upon its member organizations to organize public protests against the US attack on Venezuela.
Decision - EC approved the statement on consensus.
The people’s science movement has recently suffered a series of irreparable losses. These individuals, through their conviction, integrity, and lifelong commitment, helped shape democratic science engagement, grassroots action, and institutional care across regions. Their absence is deeply felt—not only personally, but also collectively within the movement.
Prof.Madhav Gadgil
Prof. Madhav Gadgil the famous environmentalist has expired on 7th January at the age of 83, at Pune, due to illness of a short span. He is survived by his son, Dr. Siddharth Gadgil, Professor of Mathematics at IISc. Bangalore and daughter Gauri, who is a journalist and Spanish teacher. Professor Gadgil’s wife Sulochana Gadgil, a famous mateorologist, expired last year. Professor Madhav Gadgil was awarded Padmashree in 1981 and Padma Bhushan in 2006 based on his contributions in the field of environment conservation. It was Prof Madhav Gadgil, who established the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) at the IISc in 1983 and he chaired this institution for many years. He received the prestegious UN Champion of the Earth Award in 2024. Prof. Godgil was a good friend of People’s Science Movements.
Prof. Madhav gadgil’s contributions in environment conservation has been well known. He was part of the Save Western Ghat Movement, who organised the Save Western Ghat Yatra for 100 days during November 1987 to February 1988. In 2010, Prof. Gadgil was appointed as Chairman of the famous Western Ghat Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) and was instrumental for the WGEEP report of 2011, often called as Gadgil’s Report, which proposed a practical methodology for conserving the 1600 km long Western Ghat area, passing through 6 western states of India. Even though the Government of India declined to accept this scientific report, it resulted in a legal battle and the national government was compelled to publish the report in the website. It's a fact that the Gadgil’s Report became a topic of discussion for many years and it is still continuing. Even though there is some disagreement , AIPSN expresses its deep regret on the death of Prof. Madhav Gadgil and would like to inform his family, our deep respect and condolence.
Prof. Kishore K Theckedath
Prof. Kishore K Theckedath passed away on December 20th 2025, after several months of illness. Prof. Theckedath was an outstanding intellectual and trade union leader in the country. He laid the foundation of the organization of college and university teachers in Mumbai, Maharashtra and at the national level. During the emergency he was jailed for 17 months as a leader of MFUCTO. He was a pillar of the TUJAC (Trade Union Joint Action Committee) of Maharashtra for several decades and continued to play a leading role in the Kamgar Karmachari Sangathana Samyukta Kruti Samiti (Maharashtra) till he was incapacitated by ill health in March 2025. He was elected as the founder General Secretary of the Bombay University College and University Teachers Union (BUCTU) in 1966, and later became its President. In 1975 he was elected as the founder General Secretary of the Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers Organizations (MFUCTO), and later became its President. He was also elected as the President of the All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organizations (AIFUCTO) in 1987. He was also a founder leader of the CCTOB, which brought all teacher organizations from KG to PG and organizations of non-teaching staff under a single banner, and conducted many struggles for improvements of service conditions for those working in the education sector. His father was a textile worker. After obtaining his BSc in Mathematics and Physics he did his MSc in both pure and applied mathematics. Later in 1987 he completed his PhD with a thesis titled “Dialectical Materialism and Modern Science, with a special reference to the Theories of Relativity and Quantum Maechanics”. He first taught in various schools in Mumbai and from 1965 he taught Mathematics at the Wilson College for 30 years until he took voluntary retirement in 1994. As a college teacher he was more than just a gifted teacher of mathematics. He inspired many batches of students to study beyond the syllabus, engage with the wider world of democratic issues, and to read, study and discuss current affairs, economics, history and politics. He conducted classes in Marxist economics and philosophy not only for college students but also for workers. He lectured with lucidity, with the ability to express complex ideas in simple words without oversimplification. He was an accomplished intellectual who deeply studied the classic works of Marx, Engels, Lenin and was an authority on the subject of dialectical materialism, which he considered as the science of both nature and society. While he expressed his agreement with Engels, who had said that there is no question of building the laws of dialectics into nature, nevertheless he considered that dialectical materialism was - “the broadest generalization of the forms of motion of matter, society and thought”, and the foundation of a modern scientific world view. His scholarly articles on science, philosophy, economics and politics were published in many issues of Social Scientist, the Marxist and other journals.He authored several books and pamphlets. Some are listed here:1988- ‘Change of Heart’ (poems), 1999- Dialectics, Relativity and Quantum (based on his PhD Thesis) (available on Internet Archive), 1999 -The Importance of Value, 1999- Education at the Turn of the Century, 2002- A First Course in Marxist Economic Theory, 2005- Frederick Engels and Modern Science: A Relook at the History of Time, 2017- Which Way Lies the Future, 2023- Dialectics: Quantum Theory, Relativity and Nobel Prize for Black Holes. Among his other writings is a booklet exposing the Indo-US Nuclear Deal. His many faceted activities included a leading and seminal role in the All India Peace and Solidarity Organization at the state and national level. He was an articulate and resolute opponent of communal ideology and politics, exposing in his speeches and lectures the machinations of communal outfits like the RSS. Despite his age he played an active and leading role in solidarity actions opposing US Imperialism and in support of the Palestinian struggle. With his passing the left, secular, democratic and scientific movement in India has suffered a huge loss. AIPSN takes inspiration from his life of commitment, scholarship and activism, and pledges to take his ideals and work forward. AIPSN offers deep condolences to his family members.
Gyanranjan
Gyanranjan, a highly acclaimed short story writer of the 1970s and editor of the magazine 'Pahal', passed away on Wednesday night, January 7th, in a hospital in Jabalpur. He was 89 years old. Gyanranjan was born on November 21, 1936, in Akola district of Maharashtra. His early life was spent in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. He received his higher education from Allahabad University. In 2013, he was awarded an honorary 'Doctor of Literature' degree (Honorary D.Litt.) by Jabalpur University. He served as a Professor of Hindi at G.S. College, affiliated with Jabalpur University, and retired in 1996 after thirty-four years of service. Among the storytellers of his time, Gyanranjan was unique and distinctive. His stories like 'Ghanta', 'Bahirgaman', and 'Pita' made him immortal. Through his stories, he also gave a unique character to the prose of that era. He powerfully expressed the new generation of the middle class in his stories. The loneliness of the youth was a major theme of that period. The protagonists of Gyanranjan's stories are also lonely and feel isolated. In fact, Gyanranjan also addresses the crisis of identity in his stories. His stories reveal many of the distortions of contemporary society. The critic Vijay Mohan Singh called him the "storyteller of relationships." The small-town middle class that Gyanranjan depicts in his stories is at the center of the entire system. He also exposed the intellectual opportunism of that era in his stories. Gyanranjan was a storyteller who recognized the differentiation within the social system. He believed it was essential for the forces fighting against this differentiation to become strong. His unique prose writings, compiled in a book called 'Kabadkhana', became very popular. His stories are taught in higher education courses in many universities in India and abroad. A collection of his stories was translated into Bengali and published from Shantiniketan. Stories published in English, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Persian, and German languages. Gyanranjan was a professor of Hindi at GS College, affiliated with Jabalpur University, and retired in 1996 after 34 years of service. He was also a founding member of the national theatre organization 'Vivechana' along with Harishankar Parsai. His stories have been translated into various languages, and he received several awards. His stories are included in the curricula of many universities. In addition to short stories, Gyanranjan also wrote in other literary genres. The literary magazine 'Pahal', under Gyanranjan's editorship, gained widespread respect in the literary world. The continuous publication of 90 issues reflects his tireless work and dedication. After a break, he also edited another 35 issues. Gyanranjan will always be remembered as a distinguished short story writer and a successful editor in Hindi literature. The All India People's Science Network remembers Gyanranjan and offers its heartfelt tribute.
We express deepest condolences on the demise of Vinod Kumar Shukla, a prominent Indian Hindi writer known for his writing style that often bordered on magical realism. His works included the novels Naukar ki Kameez (Servant's shirt) and Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rehti Thi (A window lived in a wall). The latter won the Sahitya Akademi Award for the best Hindi work in 1999.This novel has been made into a stage play by theatre director Mohan Maharishi.
Vinod Kumar Shukla
He was born on 1 January 1937 in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. He completed his post-graduation as M.Sc. in Agriculture from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV) in Jabalpur whereafter he joined the Agriculture College, Raipur as a lecturer. He was inspired considerably by the poet Muktibodh who was then a lecturer in Hindi at Digvijay College, Rajnandgaon, and was a colleague of Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi. Baldev Mishra, an eminent Hindi literature personality in his own right was also at Rajnandgaon during the same period.
Shukla's writing career spanned an astonishing 55-years, and in this half-a-century career, he was given numerous awards and accolades for his contribution to Hindi Literature, and the adaption of a new lens that preferred reflective simplicity over flagrant and ornate language.
Shukla was the first Indian author to receive the PEN/NabokovAward for Achievement in International Literature.
In March 2025, he was announced as the 59th Jnanpeeth Awardee, India's highest literary honour, for his exceptional and poetic work. He also received The PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature, the Shikhar Samman, the Rashtriya Hindi Gaurav Samman, the Maithilisharan Gupt Samman are but some of the other awards in a long list of accolades he got for his influential writing work.
What he couldn't express in spoken language, he more than made up for it in written language.
His first collection of poems "Lagbhag Jai Hind" was published in 1971. "Vah Aadmi Chala Gaya Naya Garam Coat Pehankar Vichar Ki Tarah" was his second collection of poems, published in 1981.
"Naukar Ki Kameez"was his first novel, published in 1979 and was made into the film of the same name by Mani Kaul. "Ped Par Kamra" (Room on the Tree), a collection of short stories, was brought out in 1988, and another collection of poems in 1992, titled "Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega."
During his stint as a guest littérateur at the Nirala Srijanpeeth in Agra from 1994 to 1996, he wrote two novels 'Khilega To Dekhenge' and 'Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rehti Thi'. He won the Sahitya Akademi Award for the latter.
He was presented with an artists' residency by Ektara - Takshila's Centre for Children's Literature & Art where he produced a novel for Young Adults called "Ek Chuppi Jagah". His works have been translated into several languages since.
He passed away on 23 December 2025 at the age of 88, shortly before his 89th birthday.
Virendra Yadav
A humble tribute to critic Virendra Yadav from the All India People's Science Network
Virendra Yadav passed away due to cardiac arrest on January 16, 2026, in Lucknow. Born on March 5, 1950, in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh, Virendra Yadav received his higher education from Lucknow University. While working at LIC, he remained active in the Progressive Writers' Association (PWA) and stayed associated with it throughout his life. He performed his dual roles with great excellence.
Virendra Yadav was known for his commitment to the cause of the common people. In today's times, there was a profound need for an individual enriched with the ideals of secularism, progressiveness, and scientific temperament; his sudden departure is deeply painful. In the world of literary criticism, he was identified as an outstanding critic of the novel genre. The perspective through which he viewed the novel among his contemporary critics was rare. His book 'Upanyas aur Des' reveals his critical insight into several Hindi and English novels. He also wrote about various fiction critics and examined the novel within the frameworks of its trends and nature. By writing 'Des' instead of 'Desh' in the book's title, he made his viewpoint clear. He remained in favor of broadening the horizons of the Hindi world.
The centrality of the common man found in his work is self-evident from this very title.
His various interventionist articles can also be read in the book 'Vivad Nahin Hastakshep'. He held candid opinions on the prominent issues of his time. In the book 'Vimars aur Vyaktitva', he also provided a clear demonstration of his critical vision.
He was honored with the Devishankar Awasthi Award in 2001 for an article published in the magazine 'Tadbhava'. 'Upanyas aur Varchasva ki Satta' was his first well-known book. He also edited the magazine 'Prayojan' for some time.
In essence, Virendra Yadav was a public intellectual as defined by Gramsci. He had a strong grasp of Premchand's works. He also made a discursive intervention on the 1857 War of Independence. He was a writer who presented a scientific understanding of history and grappled with the challenges of his time. He had the courage to call wrong 'wrong' and right 'right'. He openly expressed his views on various social and political issues. Uncovering the hidden layers of meaning in different strata of a stratified society was his favorite subject. He was a writer who broke traditional orthodoxies. He never compromised with Marxism. Wherever necessary, he did not hesitate to clash with his senior and contemporary writers. He was a writer who asked questions and questioned the disparities of the system. His sudden passing is shocking and tragic.
The All India People's Science Network expresses its condolences on his demise and respectfully salutes his memory.
The Executive Committee expresses its deep sorrow at the passing away of Vinod Kumar Shukla. His contribution and association will be remembered with respect.
K.K. Dath was a pioneer of the people’s science movement. His contributions laid early foundations for linking science with social responsibility and public engagement. While there were disagreements with him on several issues, these differences were part of a larger tradition of ideological debate that strengthened the movement rather than weakened it. His role as a thinker and practitioner remains significant in the historical journey of people’s science in India.
Murari Goswami, an activist from Rajasthan, passed away at the young age of 45. His untimely death is a reminder of how much committed grassroots work often goes unrecognized beyond immediate circles. He was actively involved in social and activist causes, contributing his energy and time with the PSM.
Sujay Pratihar devoted 22 years of his life working with BGVS. Known for his sincerity and quiet dedication, he was someone the organization could rely on without hesitation. His long association reflects a deep commitment not just to an institution, but to the values it stands for. His loss leaves a void in both institutional memory and daily functioning.
P.B. Jayan passed away suddenly after suffering a stroke on January 8. His death was unexpected and deeply shocking to colleagues and friends. He worked for 20 years in National Centre of BGVS
Deepak, the caretaker of the BGVS Guesthouse, succumbed to advanced-stage cancer on September 9. Often working behind the scenes, his role was essential in maintaining a welcoming and functional space for visitors, activists, and colleagues. His contribution reminds us that movements are sustained not only by visible leaders but also by those who quietly ensure everyday continuity.
Manoj Saharia from Assam passed away on January 17. He was involved with SRC Assam and contributed to strengthening regional engagement and coordination. His work reflected a strong commitment to the people’s science ethos in the Northeast, and his passing is a significant loss to the Assam chapter and beyond.
Together, these losses mark a painful period for the people’s science movement. Each individual contributed in their own way—through leadership, activism, long-term institutional service, or everyday care. Remembering them is not only an act of mourning but also a reaffirmation of the values they upheld: commitment, integrity, debate, service, and solidarity.
Decision - EC approved the condolence resolution on consensus.
Agenda 3. Approval of the minutes of the last EC meeting
Decision - EC approved the minutes of the last EC meeting
Agenda 4: Activities undertaken after last EC - General Secretary
General Secretary stated that the period August 2025 to January 2026 was marked by high-intensity national campaigns, policy interventions, and movement-building efforts by the All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN). Building upon the resolutions and perspectives of the 18th All India People’s Science Congress (AIPSC), AIPSN translated its ideological commitments into decentralised public actions, statements, and educational initiatives across the country.
8th National Scientific Temper Day (NSTD) Campaign
AIPSN organised the 8th National Scientific Temper Day (NSTD) campaign from 1 August to September 2025, centred on the theme “Ask Why?”. The campaign sought to nurture curiosity and critical thinking, combat superstition and pseudo-science, and counter misinformation and communal misuse of science.
Key objectives included: - Upholding Article 51A(h) of the Indian Constitution on scientific temper - Renewing demands for anti-superstition laws - Honouring the legacy of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar
Major Activities
Nationwide signature and endorsement drive (1 August–5 September)
Rallies, public lectures, debates, and panel discussions
Street plays, cultural performances, exhibitions, and science demonstrations
Digital outreach through short videos and social media platforms
Localised observances across states, including major programmes in West Bengal on 20 August 2025
Scientists, teachers, students, health professionals, and citizens actively participated, making NSTD one of AIPSN’s most visible national interventions during this period.
AIPSN Webinar on ‘Women in Science Day – 2025’
On the occasion of Women in Science Day – November 7, 2025, the All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN) organised a national-level webinar focusing on women’s contributions to science and the continuing challenges of gender inequality within the scientific community. The programme brought together scientists, academics, students, and activists from across the country and generated thoughtful discussion on historical, social, and institutional dimensions of gender in science.
The first lecture, titled “Women’s History of Science”, was delivered by Meera Nanda, former faculty member of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune. In her Anna Mani Lecture, she highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of women scientists in India and globally, examined the social and cultural barriers that historically restricted women’s participation in scientific research, and reflected on the need to critically document and reclaim women’s scientific legacy. She also offered additional reflections linking historical exclusion with contemporary structural challenges faced by women in science.
The second presentation, “Gender Sensitisation in Indian Science”, was delivered by Prajwal Shastri, former Professor at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru. His lecture focused on the present-day realities of gender bias in scientific institutions, including issues related to workplace culture, career progression, leadership representation, and policy gaps. He emphasised the importance of institutional reforms, gender-sensitive practices, and conscious efforts to create inclusive and equitable scientific environments.
The webinar was coordinated by S. Krishnaswamy, former Senior Professor, Madurai Kamaraj University, who steered the session smoothly and facilitated interaction between the speakers and participants. The discussion session witnessed active participation, with questions and comments reflecting strong interest in issues of gender justice, representation, and policy reform in science education and research.
The webinar successfully met its objective of commemorating Women in Science Day by combining historical insight with contemporary analysis. It reinforced AIPSN’s commitment to promoting scientific temper, gender equity, and inclusive science, and underscored the need for sustained dialogue and action to address systemic gender disparities in Indian science.
National Brainstorming Session (25–27 October 2025)
AIPSN organised a three-day National Brainstorming Session from 25–27 October 2025 in Bhopal involving representatives of member organisations, subject experts, and activists. The session was conceived as a mid-term collective reflection to review ongoing campaigns and to sharpen the political and scientific directions of the people’s science movement in the current context.The workshop was focussed to make the perspectives of 5 different themes like Gender, Social Justice, Media and Communication , Culture and Youth. , secondly to discuss in details on the campaign future of India and thirdly on the organisation
The 5 differents themes had a key note presentation along with ⅔.respondants followed by group discussions .It was very effective and many more suggestions came in the group discussions and finally presented in the plenary by different group
The next session was on the Year-long campaign on future of India .The session was chaired by Satyajit Rath, President AIPSN.D.Raghunandan presented the overall perspective , themes and the content of the campaign.Asha Mishra , spoke about the campaign modality, activity and schedule .There was a open discussions and the delegates added their inputs on the campaign.The session was splitted into 5 different groups like campaign elements , Material Development ,Capacity building ,Campaign Schedule and what should be the name of the campaign
There was an interactive session with the cultural groups of MP especially on the modes and themes of the campaign.The eminent cultural persons like Rajesh Joshi, Ramprakash Tripathi Manoj Kulkarni, Badal Saroj, Arti, Anil Karmele, Maya had given their inputs.
The third agenda was on the organisation, it was decided that this will be discussed in the next EC because of the time constraints.
One specially Interactory session with Digvijay Singh, the chairman of the parliamentary standing commiittee on the National Education Policy
Prof Rajamanickam, Dinesh Abrol, Prajwal Shashtri, C.Ramakrishnan, Kashinath Chatterjee and Anup Sircar presented on Higher Education, Research, School Education, Literacy and Continuing Education..
Digvijay Singh gave his remarks on all the 5 sectors of education
The workshop was well organised and very effective
The brainstorming session played a critical role in aligning organisational priorities ahead of the 18th All India People’s Science Congress and subsequent national initiatives.Around 122 participants from all the states except Telengana attended the 3 days’ workshop.
National Statements and Policy Interventions
Hiroshima–Nagasaki: 80 Years
In August 2025, AIPSN issued a national statement on the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,: - Condemning nuclear weapons and their catastrophic humanitarian and ecological impacts - Calling for total global nuclear disarmament - Emphasising the urgency of rebuilding a people’s peace movement rooted in scientific understanding
Education Policy Interventions
AIPSN actively intervened in national debates on education through: - A critique of the Draft UGC Regulations–2025, highlighting threats to academic autonomy, federalism, and democratic governance - Continued opposition to NEP 2020, focusing on issues of equity, access, language diversity, privatisation, and public funding
These interventions strengthened coordination with teachers’, students’, and education-rights organisations.
Other Statements
Observations on waste management policies, linking environmental sustainability with social equity and scientific planning
National Convention on Right to Health 11th -12 December 2025
National Convention on Health Rights was held on 11-12 December 2025 at Delhi.Around 600 participants from 23 states joined the programme .The convention gave a strong call for a justifiable right to Health and an immediate halt to privatisation and public health services and significant expansion of quality public health care across the country. The convention had right parralal session on strengthening public health system and the right to health,health financing and insurance , opposing privatisation and PPP’s, Gender & Social Justice in health, access to medicine , rights of health workers ,regulation of private sectors,and social determinants of health
The cultural performance was held by BGVS , Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Delhi Young Artist Forum,( DYAF).
Screening of the the trailer of an web series “ The White Truth” directed and produced by team of young creative cultural activists from Himachal Pradesh fighting against drug abuse enthusiased the participants
In the concluding session, Global Health Watch 7 was released.along with the adoption of People’s Resolution
AIPSN and its member organisations and BGVS, played an important role in mobilizing funds, organising convention and mobilising the people from various states
The states are to organise the state level convention on the eve of the 25 years of JSA
Education Campaigns and Assemblies
National Education Assembly – Chennai
AIPSN, along with Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS), organised the Second National Education Assembly on 27–28 December 2025 in Chennai under the banner #SaveEducationSaveTheNation.
The Assembly: - Reviewed the impact of NEP 2020 on school and higher education - Reiterated the demand for a people-centric alternative education policy - Discussed strategies for intensified resistance and grassroots mobilisation - Strengthened alliances among teachers’, students’, women’s, and people’s science organisations
The Assembly built upon the First National Education Assembly held in New Delhi in April 2023 and reaffirmed education as a central concern of the people’s science movement.
National Workshop on Continuing Education
A two-day National Workshop on Continuing Education was jointly organised by Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS) and the Department of Continuing Education and Extension, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
Key Features
Participation of around 35 delegates from seven states: Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Haryana
Inauguration by Prof. Nayima Khatoon, Vice-Chancellor, AMU
Engagement of academics and activists on:
Continuing and extension education
University–community linkages
Democratization of knowledge and lifelong learning
The workshop strengthened collaboration between academic institutions and the people’s science movement.
Gender and Social Justice
Programs held in emphasizing the role of science in combating superstition and promoting gender justice. Organizations were highlighting the importance of scientific temper and evidence-based reasoning as tools to challenge societal norms that perpetuate gender discrimination.
Campaign on Climate Change
A campaign on heat waves and other impact on climate changes was held on 2025. The discussion and the planning of the campaign initiated in the three activist camp organised by AIPSN in Delhi, Guwahati and Chennai. A special pre Congress on climate change organised in November at Hyderabad to make the detailed plan of it and finally presented a plan in our 18th AIPSC in Kolkata. On February 6, an online meeting of the organisations held on the nationwide campaign on extreme heat & other climate impacts with around 83 participants from 23 organisations and 19 states were participating apart from desk members of Environment desk and some of the EC members. The campaign was started in Southern part of the country by February end and in the other parts started after March, 2025. Organisations presented the campaign plan of their organisations. As the summer heat intensifies, a proactive approach was being taken to safeguard the well-being of vulnerable populations, including agricultural laborers, the elderly, infants, young children, and outdoor workers. These groups were more susceptible to heat-related illnesses due to their age, occupation, or health conditions. Meetings on heat waves were organised by member organisations in MP, Odisha, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Kerala, AP, Telengana, WB, Assam, Rajasthan, Delhi. The participants were mainly college, university students along with civil societies, trade union workers, women's, organisations etc.
Two sets of Posters (English and Hindi) on Extreme Heat were prepared. One Poster talked about Heat and Climate Change, the second talked about Symptoms of Heat-related ailments, precautions and advisories.
Other Activities
Issued a statement condemning state-led harassment of Dr. Ali Khan Mahmudabad (Ashoka University) and urging the courts to uphold free speech.
Regarding Solid waste management rules, provided commentary and recommendations on household segregation, waste picker inclusion, and decentralization.
On health campaign, some member organizations held programmes on hazards of healthcare privatization and emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to quality public health services.
National Seminar on ‘Drug policy before & after Hathi Committee: Its present relevance’ was organized jointly by PRC, PBVM, AIPSN, AHSD & WBMSRU on 5th July 2025 on the occasion of 50 years of Hathi Committee Report and commemorating 67th birth anniversary of Dr. Amit Sengupta.
DSF has set up a Research Group focusing on Climate Change and Urban Issues in Delhi. Work on Heat Waves is already under way since last year, so it is not being covered here. The Group consists mainly of young activists/ researchers along with senior activists/scholars who would act as mentors. The following areas being taken up for Study towards an action plan: (1) Extreme Rainfall and Urban Flooding; (2) Solid Waste Management; (3) Air Pollution; (4) Ecological Destruction of Aravallis. Since we began, more activists are being added to these Groups. The first objective is to prepare a Background Paper on each of these Issues laying out our understanding of these issues and proposed solutions to the problems associated with each. It is hoped to complete this task in the next 4 weeks (2 weeks to prepare a first Draft and 2 more weeks to finalize). It is then proposed to hold Workshops on each of these issues with a view to forming coalitions with Experts and Civil Society Groups towards action plans. Draft on the Geology of the Aravallis is ready and a Note on Air Pollution has already been prepared and widely circulated as outreach.
Regional Meetings
Regional meetings were held in online mode with members participated in the meeting from member organizations.
In the meeting followings were discussed,
State level organizations will take best effort for campaign for Heat wave- Climate, NEP 2020, Scientific Temper, Right to health.
Good sharing of experience of programme (Scientific Temper, NEP-2020, Enviornment, Health etc.) taken by organisations.
Science Congress Follow-up and Preparations
During late 2025, AIPSN actively contributed to thematic workshops and consultations related to the 18th All India People’s Science Congress, focusing on:
Climate change and heatwave impacts
Public health and health rights
Education justice and NEP 2020
Agro-ecology and sustainable livelihoods
These engagements laid the foundation for coordinated national campaigns and grassroots actions planned for 2026.
Between August 2025 and January 2026, AIPSN demonstrated its capacity to combine ideological clarity with decentralised action. Through nationwide campaigns on scientific temper, peace and disarmament, education rights, and knowledge democratization, the Network reaffirmed its commitment to science as a tool for social transformation.
The initiatives of this period provide a strong base for intensified campaigns on climate resilience, education, health as a public good, and defence of constitutional values in the coming year.
40 years of PBVM was observed as a major milestone, reaffirming the slogan “Science in Every Household”. The anniversary year witnessed a wide range of decentralised activities, including a major rally in Kolkata on 22 November and seven thematic workshops on 29 November, culminating in a state-level science festival on 29 November 2026. From 1–31 January, district science movement programmes were organised, involving nearly 2000 meetings with peasants and 1000 meetings with community and slum dwellers, along with district-level science festivals and discussions on rural and urban development issues in West Bengal.
In Andhra Pradesh, activities included the Chukmukhi Festival, along with regional meetings held between June and August. Desk-level and regional meetings were also conducted in online mode, ensuring continuity of coordination. The JSA National Convention held on 10–11 December and several state-level conferences during the year strengthened inter-movement dialogue.
A strong youth and social intervention focus was visible. In Himachal Pradesh, the campaign to save youth from drugs was taken up with the perspective of developing it as a regional issue. Programmes with young people and researchers in Delhi addressed critical urban-environmental concerns such as air pollution, urban flooding, the Aravalli ecosystem, and municipal solid waste incineration plants.
On education and learning, 173 learning centres of BSPS continued functioning in West Bengal, accompanied by an assessment of learning centres. Discussions on community learning centres and citizens’ centres were held during the Aligarh workshop, strengthening the link between universities and communities. Additionally, a survey on deprivation of elementary education in Haryana and programmes on agriculture in Haryana highlighted rural distress and policy gaps.
In Assam, a wide range of science popularisation, environmental awareness, and climate action initiatives across the state was conducted. National Scientific Temper Day (20 August 2025) was observed extensively, with EVM covering around 20 districts, BGVS organising programmes in select districts, CRU conducting events at two locations, and the Coordination Committee preparing and widely distributing Assamese leaflets for grassroots outreach. During Diwali (October 2025), EVM led a campaign against air and noise pollution. Two representatives from Assam participated in the AIPSN Brainstorming Workshop at Bhopal (25–27 October 2025) and disseminated the outcomes among state units. On 10 December 2025, a programme on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants was organised in Guwahati in collaboration with FOCUS Global South, alongside the statewide observance of Hemchandra Barua’s birth anniversary as Anti-Superstition and Anti-Blind Faith Day by EVM branches. Concurrently, AIPSN Assam played an active role in the Nationwide Awareness Campaign on Climate Change (May–December 2025), conducting programmes in about 19 districts focusing on heatwaves, floods, erosion, droughts, and disaster preparedness, including targeted outreach to students, workers, pensioners, senior citizens, and trade unions, supported by 3,000 IEC leaflets. The Coordination Committee prepared and submitted a draft Heatwave Action Plan and SOPs to ASDMA, actively participated in multiple ASDMA and UNICEF-led consultations, workshops, and meetings, and contributed policy inputs at state and regional levels, including the North East Parliamentary Forum meeting at Kohima. Media engagement remained strong through regular coverage and a dedicated television talk show. The campaign concluded with a review meeting on 10 December 2025 in collaboration with FOCUS Global South, resolving to continue sustained climate action in coordination with ASDMA and the Assam Climate Change Management Society for effective implementation of SAPCC-2.
Health and social care initiatives included the continued running of recovery shelters in Patna and Jaipur, and the convening of the People’s Health Platform on 11 January. A seminar on Gender, along with the compilation of a survey report, reflected BSPS’s engagement with gender justice and science.
On science, peace, and rationality, Anti-War Day was observed nationally, supported by a webinar against war, and a webinar on Women in Science Day was organised. Programmes marking 100 years of quantum science were held in colleges with students and the science community, linking frontier science with public understanding.
Social issues were also foregrounded. Programmes and discussions addressed child marriage in West Bengal, situating it within the broader context of withdrawal of the state from social responsibilities; a separate detailed note on child marriage has been proposed. Issues of urban governance, environment, and waste management were consistently integrated into movement discourse.
Decision - A detailed report will be circulated to the EC within one week.
Agenda 5. Reporting on Brainstorming workshop and follow up plan – Dinesh Abrol and
D.Raghunandan
The National Brainstorming Session held from 25–27 October 2025 in Bhopal was an important collective exercise of the All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN). Representatives of member organisations, subject experts, desk members, and activists participated in large numbers, reflecting a strong interest across the movement in deeper political and scientific reflection at the current conjuncture.
The session was conceived as a space to review ongoing national campaigns, critically assess emerging challenges, and sharpen the political and ideological direction of the people’s science movement in the run-up to the 18th All India People’s Science Congress (AIPSC).
Participation and Nature of Discussions
Participation in the workshop was good and diverse, cutting across regions, thematic desks, and generations. The discussions were intensive, frank, and participatory, with members openly sharing experiences from the field as well as concerns regarding organisational follow-up and effectiveness.
The deliberations went beyond routine reporting and enabled participants to reflect on:
changing social and political conditions,
increasing challenges posed by misinformation and communal misuse of science,
the need for sharper intervention strategies combining scientific critique with mass mobilisation.
There was a broad appreciation that more such brainstorming workshops are required, especially at national and regional levels, to strengthen collective thinking and political clarity within the movement.
Key Focus Areas
The workshop focused on the following major themes:
Review of the 8th National Scientific Temper Day (NSTD) campaign, including identification of best practices, innovative forms of outreach, and gaps in coordination and messaging.
Challenges posed by misinformation, pseudo-science, and communal narratives, particularly in digital spaces and popular media.
Education-related concerns, with strategic discussions on NEP 2020, the Draft UGC Regulations–2025, and their implications for equity, public funding, federalism, and democratic functioning of educational institutions.
Emerging environmental and public health concerns, including climate change, extreme heat, environmental degradation, and their disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.
Strengthening coordination between national desks, state units, and fraternal movements to avoid fragmentation and duplication of efforts.
Outcomes and Collective Understanding
The session led to several important collective conclusions:
A broad consensus emerged on the need for issue-based national campaigns that integrate scientific analysis with sustained grassroots mobilisation.
Priority themes for 2026 were identified, notably climate resilience, education justice, public health, and defence of constitutional values.
There were concrete recommendations to enhance youth engagement, expand cultural interventions, and improve the movement’s digital communication strategies.
The brainstorming session played a critical role in aligning organisational priorities and helped lay the conceptual groundwork for campaigns and initiatives to be taken forward after the 18th AIPSC.
Gaps and Need for Stronger Follow-up
Despite the richness of discussions and the significant time and effort invested by participants, some limitations were noted:
Reports emerging from group discussions and thematic sessions reached late, reducing their immediate utility for planning and intervention.
The follow-up on recommendations has not been commensurate with the depth of deliberations held during the workshop.
Given the seriousness of the issues discussed, there is a felt need for more systematic and time-bound follow-up mechanisms.
Way Forward
Participants strongly felt that:
Follow-up must be more serious and structured, with clear responsibility assigned to desks or working groups.
Online meetings should be organised periodically to track progress on the key recommendations emerging from the brainstorming session.
Similar brainstorming workshops should be institutionalised, both nationally and regionally, to nurture collective thinking and timely course correction.
The National Brainstorming Session of October 2025 was a valuable and necessary exercise, demonstrating the movement’s capacity for self-reflection and strategic thinking. Strengthening post-workshop follow-up and continuity will be essential to fully realise the potential of such collective efforts and to translate discussions into effective action.
Decision - Detailed perspective notes prepared for all the 5 themes during the deliberations are to be enriched and improved with the feedback from 3-4 EC members and then these perspective notes will be submitted to the next EC for approval. Teams for all the 5 themes are provided below,
Youth – Biplab, Richa and D.Raghunadan
Social Justice – Mohana, Kamala Menon, Pramod Gauri, G.Muralidhar, Pradeep Mahapatra
Culture – Naresh, dinesh Abrol, Asha Mishra।RS Dahiya
Gender – Sumitra Chandel, Prajwal, Sundaraman, Indranil, Komal Shrivastava
Social Media – Kavita, anita Rampal, SK, OP Bureita, Srinivas
This perspective note to be finalized within 15 days and to be shared with the EC.
Agenda 6. All India Campaign: Future of India - D.Raghunandan & Asha Mishra
D.Raghunandan presented one broadline on the Future of India campaign. He said, we need to look at the future campaigns from the perspective of how we perceive things. He also said that there have been some preliminary discussion earlier on the idea of organising a new All India Campaign name Future of India carrying forward the earlier campaign on 75 years of Independence of India. The current social, economic, and political situation demands that the people’s science movement sharpen its focus on core “bread and butter” issues that directly affect the daily lives of the majority. Addressing these issues through scientific analysis, democratic engagement, and cultural intervention remains central to strengthening public consciousness and collective action.
The movement must prioritise issues that are immediate, material, and widely experienced by people across regions:
Education: Access, equity, quality, and public funding of education at all levels, along with opposition to privatisation and exclusionary policies.
Health: Strengthening public health systems, affordable and accessible healthcare, and resisting the commodification of health services.
Employment and Livelihood: Unemployment, informalisation of work, agrarian distress, and the need for dignified, secure livelihoods.
Self-Reliance: Promoting people-centred self-reliance rooted in local knowledge, sustainable production, and democratic control over resources.
Environment: Climate change, extreme heat, pollution, ecological degradation, and their disproportionate impact on the poor and marginalised.
Scientific Temper: Combating superstition, pseudo-science, misinformation, and communal misuse of science through critical inquiry and public education.
Food Insecurity: Hunger, malnutrition, weakening of public distribution systems, and threats to food sovereignty.
These interconnected issues must be addressed not in isolation but as part of a broader struggle for social justice, constitutional values, and people-centred development.
Diversity and Plurality
India’s diversity and plurality—linguistic, cultural, regional, gendered, and social—are sources of strength, not weakness. The movement must consistently defend pluralism and inclusivity, recognising that democratic science and social progress can only flourish in an environment that respects difference, dialogue, and dissent. Campaigns and messaging should consciously reflect this diversity in both content and participation.
Forms of Outreach and Communication
To reach wider sections of society, the movement needs to adopt multiple and complementary modes of communication:
Print and digital material such as leaflets, posters, short explanatory booklets, and fact sheets in local languages.
Audio-visual outreach through videos, reels, podcasts, and social media platforms to engage youth and urban audiences.
Active and coordinated use of social media, ensuring regular, issue-based content that is scientifically sound and accessible.
At the same time, digital outreach must be complemented by direct community engagement, particularly in rural and marginalised urban areas.
Cultural Interventions and Kalajatha
Cultural forms have historically played a crucial role in the people’s science movement. There is a strong need to:
Organise Kalajathas and cultural programmes that creatively communicate scientific ideas, social issues, and constitutional values.
Develop innovative Kalajathas, experimenting with new formats, narratives, music, and local cultural expressions to connect with contemporary audiences.
Integrate theatre, songs, street performances, and visual art with scientific and social messaging, making complex issues relatable and emotionally resonant.
Such interventions should not be occasional but planned as sustained campaigns linked to priority issues.
Assessing Ground Reality: People’s Reports and Public Hearings
To ensure that campaigns are rooted in lived realities, systematic efforts are required to assess ground conditions:
Preparation of People’s Reports based on field-level data, surveys, case studies, and community experiences on issues such as education, health, employment, environment, and food security.
Organisation of public hearings at local, district, or regional levels, providing platforms for people to voice their experiences, grievances, and demands.
Using these reports and hearings as tools for advocacy, awareness, and policy intervention.
This process will help bridge the gap between abstract policy critique and everyday struggles of the people.
The way forward lies in combining scientific analysis, cultural creativity, grassroots mobilisation, and democratic participation. By focusing on bread-and-butter issues, celebrating diversity, strengthening communication strategies, and grounding interventions in people’s lived experiences, the people’s science movement can enhance its relevance, visibility, and impact.
Such an integrated approach will help build informed public opinion, nurture scientific temper, and strengthen collective resistance against injustice, exclusion, and irrationality—thereby reinforcing the movement’s foundational commitment to science as a tool for social transformation.
Decision
The context, rationale, and core issues of the campaign have already been placed before the Executive Committee (EC) and approved. The present note focuses exclusively on the operationalisation of the campaign, translating agreed perspectives into a concrete, time-bound, and decentralised plan of action.
The campaign will be a broad-based national mobilisation rooted in people’s everyday concerns, combining scientific temper, equality, and social justice as its unifying spirit.
The campaign will focus on the following interlinked priority issues:
Education
Health
Livelihood
Food Security
Environment
Self-Reliance
These issues will be approached not as isolated sectors but as structural questions affecting people’s dignity, survival, and democratic rights.
Spirit and Broad Theme of the Campaign
The spirit of the campaign shall be Scientific Temper, emphasising rational thinking, evidence-based understanding, and resistance to superstition, misinformation, and communal misuse of science.
Equality shall be the overarching theme cutting across all issues, with a clear focus on gender justice and social justice.
Special attention will be paid to the experiences and rights of:
Women and third gender persons
Children
Persons with disabilities
Sanitation workers
Dalits and Adivasis
Religious minorities
Organisational Structure
Broad-Based Campaign Framework
The campaign will consciously involve and engage:
Youth organisations
Women’s and gender collectives
Children and student groups
Organisations of persons with disabilities
Sanitation workers’ collectives
Dalit, Adivasi, and minority organisations
Cultural groups, writers, artists, and performers
This inclusive structure aims to ensure wide social participation and ownership.
State-Level
States will decide their own strategies based on local conditions, priorities, and capacities.
States will form state-level organising committees, incorporating other like-minded organisations and movements wherever possible.
National Steering Committee
A National Steering Committee will be constituted for day-to-day functioning and coordination of the campaign.
A meeting of the Steering Committee will be held on 9 February to develop a detailed plan of action.
The finalised plan will be placed before the General Council (GC) on 16 February.
Immediate Action Points
Curtain Raiser of the Campaign:
To be organised on 28 February.
Campaign Note / Folder:
A comprehensive note/folder detailing the objectives, need, and framework of the campaign will be prepared by 30 January.
Campaign Schedule:
To be finalised by the National Steering Committee.
Formal Launch of the Campaign:
Scheduled for 1 May.
Campaign Strategies
Preparation Phase
Development of issue-based booklets (maximum 8 pages each) on:
Education
Health
Livelihood
Food Security
Environment
Self-Reliance
Booklets will be scientifically grounded, people-friendly, and adaptable to local languages.
State-Level Mobilisation
Meetings with state member organisations to:
Build campaign plans suited to state-specific realities.
Constitute state organising committees involving other like-minded organisations.
Cultural Interventions (Kalajatha)
Script development and material production for Kalajatha.
Identification of villages, blocks, and districts by state units.
Formation of district, block, and local-level organising committees.
Tools for Engagement
Development of:
Assessment tools for ground-level situation analysis.
Village-level guidebook for dialogue and Jan Samvad.
These tools will facilitate structured interaction with communities.
Sub-Committees
Separate sub-committees will be constituted for:
Kalajatha (Cultural Desk)
Assessment and Village Dialogue
Exhibitions
Documentation
Social Media Campaign
Mode of Campaign
The campaign will adopt multiple and mutually reinforcing modes:
Assessment of ground realities on identified issues.
Dialogue with communities through structured interactions.
Jan Samvad at village and local levels.
Preparation of People’s Reports based on assessments and dialogues.
Presentation of People’s Reports at:
Village Parliaments
Block-level People’s Parliaments
District-level People’s Parliaments
State-level People’s Parliaments
Nationwide Kalajatha as a major cultural mobilisation.
Social media campaign using reels, short videos, and digital creatives.
Exhibitions at different levels to visually present issues and findings.
Proposed Schedule
Preparation Phase
21 January – 15 April
Launching of Campaign (Different Levels)
1 – 15 May
State-Level Orientation Workshops (2–3 days)
16 – 30 May
Block-Level Orientation
1 – 30 June
Village-Level Assessment and Dialogue
July – August
Analysis and Preparation of People’s Reports
September
Kalajatha Script Writing
August
National/State-Level Kalajatha Production Workshop
September
Finalisation of Kalajatha Routes
September
Kalajatha
2 October – 7/14 November
People’s Parliaments
2 October – 7/14 November
State-Level Culmination
14 November – 10 December
National Culmination
February 28
The operational framework aims to transform the approved campaign perspective into a structured, participatory, and time-bound national movement. By integrating scientific temper, equality, cultural mobilisation, and grassroots dialogue, the campaign seeks to build informed public opinion, strengthen democratic participation, and foreground people’s voices in shaping alternative development pathways.
The campaign plan will be executed in the Steering commiittee meeting to be held on 9th Feb at 5.00 pm
The revised note should be shared with the Steering commiittee before the meeting.GS is authorised to prepare the revised note
The plan also will be discussed with the states / Member organisations in the coming Annual GC
Agenda 7. National Education Assembly 2026 and follow up plan
The All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN) and Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS) jointly organised the National Education Assembly (NEA) 2025 on 27–28 December 2025 in Chennai, hosted by the Tamilnadu Science Forum (TNSF) at the Madras School of Social Work. This was the second National Education Assembly of the people’s science movement after the adoption of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the first having been held in New Delhi in April 2023. The Chennai Assembly coincided with five years of NEP 2020, and therefore focused on ground-level experiences, resistance, and alternative imaginations in response to the policy.
AIPSN General Secretary Asha Mishra outlined the objectives of NEA 2025, emphasising that many of the concerns raised by the people’s science movement earlier had now materialised in concrete ways. The Assembly aimed to assess these experiences and prepare for a more protracted struggle to save public education.
Prof. Anita Rampal highlighted the extreme centralisation introduced by NEP 2020, its adverse impact on teachers’ working conditions, dilution of the RTE, and erosion of curriculum autonomy. In the inaugural address, N. Ram, eminent journalist and Director of The Hindu Group, situated NEP 2020 within the broader political project of communalisation and centralisation, arguing that the policy undermined federalism and democratic control over education. V. Balasubramanyam, former MLC, Andhra Pradesh, spoke on shrinking public expenditure and rampant privatisation, citing evidence of the enormous financial burden borne by households. Mohammed Badusha, General Secretary, TNSF, proposed the vote of thanks.
The broader framing session, chaired by D. Raghunandan, identified NEP 2020 as the most serious threat to public education, stressing the need for ground-level monitoring, alliance-building, and sustained resistance. The perspectives of the three AIPSN education desks—Higher Education (Prof. P. Rajamanickam), School Education (Dr. C. Ramakrishnan), and Continuing Education (Dr. Kashinath Chatterjee)—highlighted attacks on universities, massive teacher vacancies, school closures, and the near-erasure of adult and continuing education.
Parallel sessions enabled detailed sharing of state experiences. The Higher Education session saw participation from 14 states, while the School and Continuing Education session included reports and case studies from 18 states. These sessions reflected the seriousness and depth of engagement of AIPSN member organisations across the country.
On the second day, thematic sessions further analysed NEP’s impact. Presentations addressed ANRF, education financing, curriculum restructuring, Indian Knowledge Systems, denial of access through school closures, early childhood education, community learning centres, and lifelong education.
In the valedictory session, Prof. Venkatesh Athreya linked NEP with neoliberal restructuring and erosion of social rights, drawing parallels with struggles like the repeal of anti-farmer laws. Representatives of teachers’, women’s, and democratic organisations expressed solidarity.
The concluding session also adopted the Chennai Declaration on Five Years of NEP, which categorically rejected NEP 2020, condemning its centralisation, privatisation, ideological imposition, and deepening of inequality. The declaration demanded scrapping NEP and allied mechanisms, 6% GDP investment in education, defence of federalism, and a people-centric alternative education policy.
Way Forward
The AIPSN General Secretary presented a detailed future action agenda, including preparation of a People’s Report on Five Years of NEP, formation of state desk teams, regional trainings, broad-based alliances, state and district education assemblies, community and citizen education centres, and a one-year nationwide campaign.
1.One of the objective of this Assembly is to initiate for making a People's, Report on the 5 Years of NEP 2020
So we will prepare the draft documents in one months and will share in both the desk and with the RP's for further consultation and finalisation.
The report will be consist on the status of NEP in the states with the resistance action have done by PSM in diffrent states
2.The states will use that documents in the state campaign
3.All the states have to make a team of 5 to 10 members from higher , School and Continuing Education, who will
continuously work and watch on NEP 2020 the states will help the state in the campaign.
4.The team will be get training regionally as what should be their role and how they work
5.We can fight against this NEP 2020 with a broad based network
This should be the fight with the democratic and progressive movements
So , we must form one broad based network involving the teachers community ,Civil Society , non teaching organisations like all India democratic women's organisation , Anganwadi workers union , College and school teachers union and all.Many states have already these platforms. but those states who have not formed yet ,will form joint platforms at the earliest.
6.The specific issues is the closure and merger of the schools which affects children and the issues of the access of the education of the children( Pushing of the numbers of children specially from marginalised community )
7.Teacher's vacancies in the the Education system
8.The role of PSM while working with the govt or against the government
9.Our assement in the state on the role of the different foundation working with the govt
10.Perspective is to be built up on Data, technology Education and AI
10.To expand address the issues of medical ,technical, Agricultural and teachers education
11.We have to strengthen regional and study groups at the state level
12.We have to explore the state specific issues deeper like skilling , enrolment , Privatisation,Infrastructure and teacher vacancies impact of NTA ,- NEET Research programme etc
13.The State and District Education Assemblies 2
