Nishikant Khajuria
-Excelsior/Rakesh
JAMMU, Feb 7: The five-day Indian Science Congress in Jammu University concluded amid a call from Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari to the Scientists and Technologists to use their knowledge for greater public good while remaining rooted to the social and moral imperatives of society.
“Science has to be cognizant of the social and ethical imperatives, which are integral to our being human and the basis of our civilization,” he said while delivering valedictory address on conclusion of the 101st Indian Science Congress, here today in the presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Governor N N Vohra, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah and others.
Expressing his concern over social and ethical implications of modern science, the Vice-President reminded that scientific advances are never in themselves a guarantee of social gain and hence science has to be fully integrated with broader needs of society.
“Modern scientific research and development in areas of genetics, biotechnology, nuclear physics, space technology etc have transformed our world as never before but at the same time also carry with them considerable social and ethical implications, which must be addressed,” he said adding that impact of social media networks and other threats emanating from new developments in Information and Communication Technology also requires serious examination.
Stressing that Scientists also have to guard against the phenomenon of rampant commercialization that has affected society in epidemic proportion, the Vice-President said the assumption that gaining of scientific knowledge must lead automatically to commercial exploitation of that knowledge for profit is morally dubious.
Terming the weapons of mass destruction as threat to very existence of mankind, the Vice President opined that the Scientists, who contributed to bringing about this situation, have a responsibility as citizens to help societies make a changeover from an obsession with economic growth at any cost to achievement of a sustainable environment and an ever growing economic system.
“Excessive commercialization also runs a risk that the benefit of scientific research and technologies innovation will be exploited in an unequal manner, mainly by the well-to-do, with little or no benefit accruing to the poor and needy,” he said and corroborated the views of Mahatma Gandhi that science without humanity is one of seven deadly sins.
Asking the scientists to distinguish between socially beneficial and socially harmful applications of their research and innovation, Mr Ansari said that such introspection was essential in order to undertake an objective cost-benefit analysis of their scientific output so that the outcome of their work is a balanced, sustainable, ‘win-win’ proposition for society.
He also asked the scientists to get more involved with the public, civil society and the policy-makers to find and implement solutions to issues of public need and interest. “They could also take into account important questions such as reconciling the profit motive with the common good; providing for contributions from and benefits to deprived and marginalized segments of society ; justifying current costs to prevent costs or damages to future generations; reconciling social and ethical imperatives to purely scientific pursuits and short term benefits,” he suggested.
Terming Science and Technology as indispensable for addressing major contemporary challenges of economic growth and social transformation of societies, the Vice-President said that health of a nation now depends, more and more on, among other factors, the health of the state of its Science and Technology.
Earlier, Governor N N Vohra, in his address, expressed his satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the mega event, which was first of its kind in history of Jammu University. He hoped that the discussions and deliberations in the Congress would have generated new ideas and approaches among the young scientists.
Observing that theme of 101st session of Indian Science Congress was rightly chosen as ‘Innovations in Science and Technology for Inclusive Development’, Mr Vohra said that scientific innovations would go a long way in contributing to socio economic development of the country.
“We need to focus sharply in every area of innovation and join hands together for achieving our common goal of sustainable development,” he said adding that Science and Technology can play extremely important role in overall development of the society.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also addressed the gathering, stressed the need of utilizing science, technology and innovations for the benefit to ‘Aam Aadmi’ (common man) and identified agriculture, horticulture and bio-mass energy generation as the areas in Jammu and Kashmir requiring intervention of science for inclusive and comprehensive growth.
“In Jammu and Kashmir about 70 percent population is rural and agriculture is their mainstay. Horticulture and related activities are also of pivotal importance in the State’s economy, which needs intervention of scientific innovations and technological advancement in these fields for overall development and growth of the State,” he said.
Stating that J&K has greater scope of generating energy from the abundantly available bio-mass in the shape of weeds in Dal and other lakes, Mr Omar invited scientific intervention in converting these weeds into the energy for the economic welfare of the State and the people.
The Chief Minister also sought scientific intervention in the inclusive development and management of agricultural and horticultural practices in high altitudes areas like Leh and Kargil. He said that most of the Kandi areas in the State are rain fed and require technological support to undertake agricultural activities that would enable the farmers to earn remunerative income and help significant increase in productivity and production.
Congratulating the participants and the organizers of the Indian Science Congress, he suggested that the recommendations finalized in the Congress for utilization of scientific innovations for inclusive growth should be sent to all the State Governments besides the Government of India.
In his speech, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah described organizing of Indian Science Congress in Jammu and Kashmir as an historic event and said that it has provided great opportunity for creating scientific temper in the State among the students and research scholars.
Earlier, the JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohan Pal Singh Ishar listed main features of 101st Indian Science Congress and hoped that the deliberations during technical sessions of the five-day event would greatly help the participating delegates.
He also expressed his gratitudes to the Governor, Chief Minister and State Government for their assistance in successful conduct of the mega event.
General President of Indian Science Congress delivered welcome address.
Pertinent to mention here that the 101st Indian Science Congress was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh here on February 3.
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