66 SOCIAL SCIENTIST forums was the prompt answer. Initially about hundred science forums were organized in selected villages. The intention was to gradually transform the forums into village planning bodies., where the villagers could sit together and chalk out effective and scientific solutions., to their problems, in order to give a workable form to the concept of planning at grass root levels. Activities of the science forums may vary depending on the particular needs and circumstances of the area, ranging from regular literacy campaigns and classes to providing public amenities and organizing small-scale eottage industries. A central committee headed by a convenor co-ordinates the activities of the affiliated forums. The central committee formulates common programmes and schemes, leaving it to each forum to independently select its own activities. The parishad's aim is to establish one science forum in every panchayat by the end of 1977. THROUGH THE PRINTED WORD The parishad brings out a wide range of publications—periodicals^ books, bulletins and concise encyclopaedias. All these invariably aim at nurturing a genuine scientific culture, the essential prerequisite for social change. There are three monthly magazines. Sasthragathy is a popular science journal mainly for university readership while Sasthrakeralam caters to secondary school pupils or those of equivalent standard. Sasthrakeralam commands a circulation of about 25,000. It is one of the largest selling popular science monthlies in an Indian language. Eureka ' has the privilege of being the one and only science periodical in an Indian language published solely for children. It also has a circulation of 25,000. All the three magazines are members of the Bhartiya Vigyan Pathrika Samithi. Besides, the central committee for rural science forums brings out a monthly Gramasasthra Samithi Bulletin. In 1977, the parishad entered the book-publishing field. The children's science books series captured the attention of the public for the quality of its production and content. More than 8,000 copies were sold on a pre-publication basis. Second editions are already in the press. The parishad has planned a Monthly Book Club for bringing out several interesting popular science books. Every year, one major publication on a serious and relevant scientific topic comes out in connection with the annual conference. Last year's topic was ^Man and his environment". This year the topic chosen for discussion is "Appropriate technology.'5 A symposium on this topic will form part of the annual conference to be held in February 1978. In addition, the publication committee brings out books to meet the needs of the rural science forums and the School for Technicians and Artisans (START).