A North Pole for Science and Technology

Mankind has been shaped by various ancient civilizations, examples being the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Greeks, Chinese, and the Indus Valley. These civilizations have evolved since humans first decided to abandon their nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyles in favor of settling in one place. It has been a long journey of many thousands of years until what we call modern civilization, with its common characteristics and aspirations throughout the world. The major feature of this journey is the accumulation of abundant knowledge and the pursuit of higher standards of living, driven by rapid advances in science and technology.

Not only that, a human being now called a ‘technical beast’ is always on the lookout for new tools that further his growing ambitions. This constant quest for a better life has given rise to some serious issues regarding the values, purpose, relevance and consequences of blindfolded application of science and technology. Who is the Guru? Science or people? Agenda-setting is the key issue.

issues on values, interests

Padma Shri recipient, eminent scientist, former Director of Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai and former Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr. Y. This is the centenary year of Nayudamma’s birth. His works, contributions and philosophy shed specific light on various issues related to science and technology. He had outlined a clear set of goals and objectives and the values ​​that guide his progress.

The main issues are: should science and technology be friendly to the people or should the people adapt to them; Should they emerge from the felt needs and concerns of the people or should they be driven from above; What are the values ​​that should guide and drive the pursuit of science and technology and their applications; How to control and control the undesirable consequences of indiscriminate application of these powerful tools, and whose interests these tools should serve.

Dr. Nayudamma’s work and contributions mirror these concerns and demonstrate how scientists and technologists can (and can) be effective agents of such change. Science adopted in an ivory tower cannot serve humanity by itself. It should be made accessible to the people in the form of effective technical means which every person can use to solve his problems. Science should be for the society and technology should be driven by the needs of the people.

Reshaping the Leather Industry

As a renowned leather scientist, Dr. Nayudamma has made pioneering contribution in changing the face and nature of tanning industry in the country. The profession of gathering dead animal hides and skins, which is followed by some traditional communities, was looked down upon due to factors such as the stench and the difficult nature of the work involved. He reflected on how science and technology can make a difference in making this profession more widely accepted. He succeeded in this by being able to remove the stench and improve the skills of the people involved in this job. He promoted leather products to improve the income of tannery workers. In the process, he proved that the application of science and technology could help increase the economic viability of the activity implementing these tools, in addition to promoting more gainful employment.

As a result, leather products and the leather industry have gained greater public acceptance. Indian leather products are in great demand in the international markets. Possession of quality leather products like shoes and handbags has become a part of one’s image. People from different communities have now joined the leather industry breaking the traditional barriers and prejudices. Thus, Dr. Nayudamma was clearly an agent of social change.

Values ​​guide the choice of technology. The focal values ​​guiding people across the world are ‘Materialism and Consumerism’. The unbridled pursuit of such goals does not help people who live at peace with them. Therefore, Indian philosophies and ideas emphasize the spiritual quest for inner peace to live in harmony with society and nature. Science and technology should enable such development which is in harmony with nature.

Programs and Formulas

I am amazed by Dr. Nayudamma’s approach as some of his views are now reflected in some of the major initiatives of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

Talking about the need for empowerment of all sections of the society, Dr. Nayudamma – in a special reference – said that if a woman has a bank account, she will be treated differently and respected in the family. This helps in his liberation. This is clearly at the core of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) under which around 50 crore bank accounts have been opened to enable financial inclusion and empowerment. PMJDY has been described as “A National Mission on Financial Inclusion”, which includes an integrated approach to bring about comprehensive financial inclusion to all households in the country.

Self-reliance was at the core of Dr. Nayudamma’s philosophy. He was of the view that our colonial past and Western training, orientation and education have made us look to the West for import of technology and solutions, and that Western remedies cannot solve India’s problems, which are isolated and context-specific. He strongly advocated self-reliance in science and technology. This is also the essence of the Prime Minister’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative (vision of self-reliance).

Referring to the provisions of the United Nations Charter, Dr. Nayudamma stressed upon the need to enable all to live with dignity, to have values, to equality of rights, to a better standard of living, to security, etc., with the participation of all in the national effort. Had given. This is the underlying principle of the philosophy of ‘Sab Ka Saath- Sab Ka Vikas – Sab Ka Prayas’.

A visionary and a visionary scientist like Dr. Nayudamma is rare. It is unfortunate that a plane crash claimed his life in June 1985 when he was only 63 years old. India misses this great visionary a lot.

Dr. Nayudamma was a link in the chain of great scientific heritage of India. Thousands of years ago, we had great scientists like Baudhayana, Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, Bhaskaracharya, Mahaviracharya, Varahamihira, Kanada, Sushruta, Charaka, Patanjali etc., who made pioneering contributions in various fields of knowledge. This tradition faded in the medieval period, which was marked by foreign invasions.

Now concerted efforts are being made to restore the glory of being a ‘Vishwaguru’ – which India had in the past. We all need to participate in this effort by streamlining our education system, science and research methods.

We are living in a time where knowledge is the real power. We need to empower everyone with the knowledge that is the best resource of every individual. We need to provide such knowledge which is capable of solving the problems of our nation collectively.

Dr. Nayudamma emphasized that education is not meant to provide relief and it should unleash the inner potential of all to make everyone self-reliant and self-confident. We need such systems of knowledge providers in every field.

Nationalism is a positive force

Dr. Nayudamma firmly believed that an individual can flourish and be at his best only in an atmosphere of community participation and collective effort. Such an ecosystem is best provided when we are guided by the spirit of nationalism. Nationalism, accordingly, is a positive force to ensure rapid progress of our nation by realizing the full potential of each individual. This is not a negative factor, as some are trying to propagate.

The development strategies adopted globally based on modern scientific and technological advances have resulted in rapid resource depletion, and ecological imbalances and inequalities. There is a need for an alternative development model to ensure sustainable and harmonious development. For Dr. Nayudamma, the environment was not a piece of real estate. It is a legacy for the generations to come and everyone has a serious responsibility.

In his birth centenary year, 1922, I pay tribute to all the scientists and technologists who are striving for the betterment of humanity with care, concern and responsibility.

M. Venkaiah Naidu is the Vice President of India