Sir,
This is in reference to article titled "Remarks that shocked Indian science congress" by Khurshid Ahmad Tariq [Daily Excelsior,dated January 12,2019.The article is very relevant and thought provoking in the backdrop of unscientific and irrational claims made at recently concluded 106th Indian science congress .Majority segment of society is deeply shocked and disturbed that false claims based on mythological stories from Hindu scriptures were presented and glorified as ancient divine scientific wisdom that too in the 106th Indian science congress.It is beyond any comprehension or logic to allow any pseudo claim to be presented as scientific one-which cannot be scrutinized under established scientific parameters and analogy. The learned author has rightly pointed out,"the irony is that these speakers made the mythological remarks before the house of children. What type of impact that is going to have on the minds and thoughts of these budding scientists?Do they want to push them back to the myths of Ramayana and Mahabharata and deprive them from developing the passion and zeal of science at a time when science and technology has already revolutionised the living on this planet?".Such deliberations not only tarnish the image of Indian scientists globally but also undermine the credibility of the genuine contributions of the great science personalities of yore like Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, Sir Ramnath Chopra and Professor P Parija.Just imagine, a vice-chancellor claiming that the 100 Kauravas were test tube babies,ancient Indians had guided missile technology, Ravana had 24 types of aircraft, Brahma knew about dinosaurs,west took the concept of dinosaurs from the vedas,origin of the word dinosaur was from Sanskrit and above all a 'scientist' dismissing Einstein's relativity, Newton's gravity and Hawking's theory of black holes with the claim that his own theory would soon take over with brand new nomenclature "MODI WAVES".The fact of the matter is that today significant number of scientists and academicians though best beneficiaries of modern science and technology, are following the policy of sycophancy and appeasement of present ruling polity for their vested interests and ulterior motives. It will be very pertinent to point out here that present ruling polity is patronizing and working in complete contradistinction of the constitutional clause 51 A[h] on fundamental duties which reads,"it shall be duty of every citizen of India to develop the scientific temper,humanism,and the spirit of inquiry and reform".
yours sincerely
Dr H N Patwari.
