NEHRU :FIRST AND LAST SECULAR PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA;
"It is only through the scientific approach and method and the use of scientific knowledge that reasonable material and cultural amenities and service can be provided for every member of the community and it is out of a recognition of this possibility that the idea of a welfare state has grown."
~Scientific policy resolution,1958~
Nehru,remains hate figure number one to Hindu right wing saffron brigade,even after many decades of his death.Though phrase 'scientific temper' [first used in his discovery of India],has got hardly any meaning or relevance for present BJP led government,it was Nehru's spirit and vision for Indian society which found articulation in the scientific policy resolution of the country,was adopted as a constitutional obligation of every citizen through Article 51[h]-A of the constitution which says,"IT SHALL BE DUTY OF EVERY CITIZEN OF INDIA TO DEVELOP THE SCIENTIFIC TEMPER,HUMANISM AND THE SPIRIT OF INQUIRY AND REFORM."And India is the only country that has raised the notion of scientific temper to the level of a constitutional obligation.And yet,in all these years,India as a nation has failed enormously to inculcate and spread that spirit in society.In absence of any meaningful or purposeful fundamental social reform,Indian society has been culturally and historically steeped in religious dogmas,obscurantism,superstitions,religious bigotry and blind beliefs-all contrary to scientific temper.And today,in 21st century,we are witnessing a phenomenal growth of superstitious beliefs and obscurantism,under well orchestrated state patronage.More significantly,new facets of irrationalism,in particular a culture of anti science,is the latest mantra of the day.It was only Nehru,who had moral and political conviction to describe Bhakra Dam as modern day temple of India and who was genuinely rationalist in his practice and perception.
"It is only through the scientific approach and method and the use of scientific knowledge that reasonable material and cultural amenities and service can be provided for every member of the community and it is out of a recognition of this possibility that the idea of a welfare state has grown."
~Scientific policy resolution,1958~
Nehru,remains hate figure number one to Hindu right wing saffron brigade,even after many decades of his death.Though phrase 'scientific temper' [first used in his discovery of India],has got hardly any meaning or relevance for present BJP led government,it was Nehru's spirit and vision for Indian society which found articulation in the scientific policy resolution of the country,was adopted as a constitutional obligation of every citizen through Article 51[h]-A of the constitution which says,"IT SHALL BE DUTY OF EVERY CITIZEN OF INDIA TO DEVELOP THE SCIENTIFIC TEMPER,HUMANISM AND THE SPIRIT OF INQUIRY AND REFORM."And India is the only country that has raised the notion of scientific temper to the level of a constitutional obligation.And yet,in all these years,India as a nation has failed enormously to inculcate and spread that spirit in society.In absence of any meaningful or purposeful fundamental social reform,Indian society has been culturally and historically steeped in religious dogmas,obscurantism,superstitions,religious bigotry and blind beliefs-all contrary to scientific temper.And today,in 21st century,we are witnessing a phenomenal growth of superstitious beliefs and obscurantism,under well orchestrated state patronage.More significantly,new facets of irrationalism,in particular a culture of anti science,is the latest mantra of the day.It was only Nehru,who had moral and political conviction to describe Bhakra Dam as modern day temple of India and who was genuinely rationalist in his practice and perception.
No comments:
Post a Comment