Science for Society: Formative Years of Some Science Organizations in Independent India – A Preliminary Probe Sukalyan Gain Ph.D. Research Scholar of History, University of Kalyani Abstract: The basic meaning of science is 'special knowledge'. The specialty of this particular knowledge is to understand everything by reasoning and through accurate observation. Movement means to organized protests to achieve a goal. After independence, several science organizations were formed in India, whose main aim was to popularize science, to develop scientific temper, and to promote science and technology to improve the living standard of all people. Along with that, some organizations feel that the state is not able to priorities the needs of the common people and they try to determine the priority of the people. They even play the role of pressure groups to the government so that it implements its science policy for the society. These science organizations had played a significant role in the expansion of science consciousness among the people. Key-Words: Science organizations, Science for Society, Science Movement, Popularize of Science, Science Magazines After independence, several organizations were established in India, which had taken several steps to expand the concept of science for society. To discuss that history, it is necessary to clarify the concept of science for society at the very outset. Undoubtedly, science and technological growth can bring a major shift in human attitudes towards life and society. It is not only limited to attitude; science and technology can be used for the welfare of the common people. Thus to trace the history of the welfare of the common people, it is necessary to understand how science and society interact. This interaction deserves attention as far as the role of the welfare state is concerned. In a welfare state like India, the state has a responsibility to cater to the needs of the people. For that purpose science and technology are required to be utilized by the state. Along with the state, some science organizations also try to do some work for the betterment of life through using science and technology. These complementary efforts have been referred to as Science Movement. In addition to developing science in the mother language and formation of rational society, many organizations were involved in the movement to save the environment. In the sixties of the twentieth century, when environmental degradation had become a serious issue, several science organizations of different states in India had tried to save the earth in their ways. The development of vernacular science education in India can be traced back to the nineteenth century. In 1818 the first Bengali monthly magazine Digdarshana was published by the Serampore Missionaries. Marshman was the editor of that magazine. Science articles were published in Digdarshana. The first Bengali science book was written by William Carey’s son Felix Carey in 1819. The main theme of that volume was anatomy. In the very next year, Vidyaharabali , a sixteen volume book was published by the School Book Society. Later, many science articles were published in Bijnansebadhi (1832), Bijnan Sar Sangraha (1833). Akshay Kumar Datta was the pioneer of science books in the Bengali language. As editor of Tattwabodhini Patrika (1843-1855), he wrote numerous tracts on Physics, Astronomy, Geography and the social sciences, which were highly admired by the Bengali intelligentsia. 1 Vidyasagar tried his best during 1849-57 to inject scientific principles into Indian