Let science lead the way

February 28 was designated National Science Day in 1987 in commemoration of the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C. V. Raman who was adjudged the winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics for the year 1930. Since 1999, every year the day is celebrated across the country with a specific theme attributed to it.

In 1976, the inculcation of scientific temper was enshrined in the Constitution of India as a duty for all citizens. Under clause (h) of Article 51A, the 42nd amendment cast upon every citizen a duty “to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform’. This year the theme of National Science Day is ‘Integrated Approach in Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future’.

Despite our lacklustre progress in eradicating antiquarian beliefs, superstitions, magic cures, ignorance and lack of awareness, there is no gainsaying that India has made substantial strides in use of science and technology in improving the quality of life of an average citizen. In the early 1980s the Green Revolution eliminated the risk of famines which caused starvation deaths. The White Revolution emanating from Anand in Gujarat ensured that infants were not deprived of their basic nutrition. Midday meals schemes guaranteed at least one single nutritious meal to every school-going kid. India stands on the threshold of the ‘Rainbow Revolution’ achieving sufficiency in horticultural crops. Mobility has been expanded, expedited and made affordable and accessible to all. The nation established its presence at Antarctica as early as 1975. Financial transactions have made a quantum leap during the Modi-era due to the fin-tech revolution. ISRO is a great success story in exploration of space. Renewable energy is fast replacing our dependence on fossil fuels, even though the nation’s date fixed for Net-Zero is a distant 2070. The next twenty years are likely to witness EVs dominating Indian roads. Success in containing the pandemic and development and manufacture of indigenous vaccines is yet another success story.

But for the emphasis on science and technology, India could not have accomplished all these. Yet it cannot be denied that in matters of mass inculcation of scientific temper, our record is less than glorious. India still does not figure among nations that top the list of scientific patents. No significant discovery has emerged from Indian universities, labs or institutes. Many of the scientists of Indian origin who won Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine owe their research to universities in the West, mainly in the United States. Much of our exceptional scientific talent found hospitable pastures and recognition only after migration to the West.

We Indians would do well to introspect on what leads to this brain drain and how to stem the outward flow and guarantee adequate rewards for domestic talent. This is where we need to probe if our schools and universities provide the ideal ground and environment for inquisitive minds, tolerance for those questioning shibboleths, promote the spirit of inquiry, objectivity and rational thought, liberate minds from prejudice and bias, and deliver to children an atmosphere where they could claim “I hear, I forget, I see, I remember, and I do, I learn’.