Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday called for simplifying science communication through a storytelling approach to make government initiatives more relatable and impactful for citizens.
Chairing a brainstorming session on “Effective Government Communication” with Secretaries and senior officials of the ministries and departments under his charge, Singh emphasized the need to make public communication authentic, transparent, and people-centric. The session saw participation from senior officials including Rachna Shah (DoPT), V. Srinivas (DARPG & DoPPW), Dr. Abhay Karandikar (DST), Dr. M. Ravichandran (Ministry of Earth Sciences), and Dr. N. Kalaiselvi (DSIR & CSIR), along with communication experts and senior media officials.
Singh urged all scientific institutions and laboratories to adopt storytelling as a tool to communicate science, saying that even the most complex achievements can be better appreciated when explained in simple, relatable narratives.
He directed the departments to identify and share at least two success stories each that highlight how their work directly benefits citizens. “Science communication must go beyond data and jargon – it should inspire curiosity and connect with people’s everyday lives,” he said.
The Minister also stressed the importance of a “whole-of-government” approach, ensuring that messages across ministries are aligned and reinforce broader national goals. He said effective communication should not be limited to dissemination but must build trust, awareness, and participation.
Singh further encouraged collaboration beyond government circles, advocating for a “whole-of-society” approach that brings together government bodies, civil society, academia, and the private sector in communicating public policy and national missions.
Highlighting the growing role of digital communication, Dr. Singh said the government would leverage new media platforms and MyGov to foster broader citizen participation in policymaking.
B. Narayanan, Director General of the New Media Wing, said digital platforms have transformed citizen engagement by enabling faster, more inclusive outreach. He cited examples of short-form videos, interactive graphics, and multilingual content that have improved message accessibility.
Nand Kumarum, CEO of MyGov, shared how the platform has evolved into a two-way communication bridge, connecting citizens and government through idea submissions, feedback, and creative collaborations. Plans are underway to expand MyGov’s outreach in regional languages to deepen grassroots engagement.
Dhirendra Ojha, Principal Director General, emphasized that credibility remains the cornerstone of effective communication, especially in an age of misinformation. He noted that communication must go beyond press releases to include proactive engagement, transparency, and consistency in messaging.
Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, added that effective messaging requires partnerships with community organizations, academia, and influencers to strengthen understanding of government initiatives.
In her welcome address, Rachna Shah, Secretary DoPT, outlined the importance of coordinated outreach, while V. Srinivas, Secretary DARPG, presented examples of successful departmental campaigns that have improved citizen awareness of reforms.
The session concluded with a shared commitment among ministries to make communication an integral part of governance, focusing on storytelling, collaboration, and digital engagement to bridge the gap between policy and the people.
Singh summed up the discussion, stating that the government’s efforts in science, technology, and administrative reforms must reach citizens in a language they understand and a format they relate to, ensuring that communication serves as a bridge between innovation and public trust.