Dr Monika Koul
Open newspapers or TV sets and there is hue and cry about various issues that are challenging the youth and nation both. People across the board are talking about nation and nationalism. But how many of us, especially, youngsters are talking about a very important day for us- the day to celebrate love and spirit of science? Science news hardly takes a minute or so of prime time television viewing. Even our newspapers hardly give any adequate attention to science. Why do we need to talk about science and the pursuit of scientific enquiry? The answer is that it is science and only science that is rescuer and elevator for our country and we got to celebrate its every essence of this important discipline. We have to tell our youth that science can solve many problems that people are encountering these days and tackle the challenges of unemployment. .
Science and scientific discoveries are influencing each and every aspect of human life. Science is helping to reveal so many mysteries on Earth. It is broadening our horizon and leading to newer insights to explore space beyond earth. Man has landed on the moon and is trying to explore the possibilities of settling colonies on Mars. Several satellites are orbiting around the earth. Man has in fact become a tourist in space. Great strides have been made in the fields of medicine, physics and chemistry. Agriculture is witnessing several new developments. Crops are tailor made and engineered to have desired genes. Genetically modified crops that produce higher yield are growing in farms. Through the application of method of science, human problems have been understood and solved. Scientific discoveries and inventions are leading to technological innovations. Computers have resulted in revolution in information and communication technology. Therefore, these aspects also need to be celebrated. Celebrated with more passion and affection as these concern entire society and social set up of which all of us are important components. India is all set to be at the centre stage yet again with the discovery of Gravitational Waves. Indian scientists are doing great science by joining mega research projects and have signed many international collaborative research projects this year.
We are celebrating National Science Day, yet again to commemorate the scientific contribution made by well-known Indian Physicist Dr. C. V. Raman. In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) asked the Government of India to designate 28 February as National Science Dayto mark the discovery of Raman Effect by the great Indian Scientist Sir CV Raman. For this discovery Nobel Prize was conferred upon him. Since then National Science Day is celebrated across India with great fervor and passion.
Every year National Science day is celebrated around a focal theme to mark some important aspect that deals with the progress of science in general and society in particular. For the Year 2015 the theme selected wascelebrating the “Science for Nation Building.”Science affects every aspect of human endeavour from ethics to politics andeconomics and is essential for ensuring human survival and progress. India is today at crossroads on social front and it is imperative we pay attention to our science policies and implementation. We as a country should work on developing technologies that can revolutionize agriculture. We need better road transport facilities. We need connectivity all across for that information technology has to go a long way. The first Prime Minister PanditJawahar Lal Nehru once said, “The future belongs to science and those who make friends with science”.Science is the only thing that can create a conducive and better atmosphere in a nation where superstition, religion, rumor, myth and innumerable beliefs dissuade people from following the path of enquiry and experimentation. This years theme, National Science Day 28th Feb, 2016 is public appreciation on scientific issues for the development of nation. Awareness has to be raised by reaching the masses through print media, through electronic media and by one to one campaigning. Newspapers in education are playing a crucial role in making science popular among school children and it is perceived that the present generation is scientifically motivated. Greater coverage of science and technology news and reporting is necessary if the citizens are to think critically about science policy and public policy issues and participate in the S&T public policy issues and decision making process.Academia has to play a proactive role in making science progressive and use the applications of science in all walks of life.
All this is necessary, not merely for the application of science but for life itself and the solution of its many problems.The famous Indian poet Shri RabindarNath Tagore wrote few lines decades back to tell countrymen that the only thing that is going to take us forward is to come out of older clutches of superstition and to follow and love science from the core of heart. It is time for all of us to understand that all other things can wait but science. Let us all pledge that 28th February will not go unnoticed and science will be a discourse across and people will engage in debates and discussions on science in nation building, science will become an anthem and scientific discoveries will be talked at every nook and corner. We have to aspire for much more than what is targeted. Science has to spread its roots in hearts and minds of every Indian. Then only we can aim to be the best in the world. Scientific discoveries should be highlighted and scientists should become celebrities.
(The author is Assistant Professor, Hans Raj College, University of Delhi)
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