Discover Science in Tamil

HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, Science and Medicine... subjects that would have most school children running in the opposite direction. But all that changed quite a bit when in 1985, American John Hendricks founded the Discovery Channel, then called Cable Education Network.

Since then, learning has been fun, for both children and adults. Children now have the opportunity to actually watch a open heart surgery, see for themselves the devastating effects of a tornado or an earthquake, learn about underwater diving or catch a glimpse of the habitat where a platypus or a sea lion thrives. All these are definitely more interesting propositions than actually reading about them in books. In fact, children absorb much more through the visual medium, according to some studies.

The Discovery Channel has moved one step ahead in its efforts to reach out to more people. It has tied up with the regional Vijay TV, to telecast programmes in Tamil. This is the second Indian language the channel is available in, the first being Hindi.

Starting October 17, 2000, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the channel will air as a block on Vijay TV, three shows - Medical Detectives, Ultrascience and The Ultimate Guide. (The timings: Medical Detectives on Tuesdays at 5-30 p.m. and Saturdays at 3-00 p.m.; Ultrascience on Tuesdays at 6-00 p.m. and Saturdays, 3-30 p.m.; Ultimate Guide on Thursdays 5-30 p.m. and Saturdays at 4-00 p.m.)

The channel hopes to bring to its Tamil audience more such shows over a period of time.

In today's world where competition is severe and children are overburdened at school, these programmes are an alternative to acquiring knowledge and also getting acquainted with the world we live in.

SAVITHA PADMANABHAN

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Section  : Features
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