By Pervez bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: The three-day All India Science Conference got underway here on Friday with a call to tap resources skillfully to ensure their continuity and discourage its unwarranted use for the betterment of humanity at large.
Resources and nature should be utilised scientifically, intelligently and skillfully in such a way that they are not totally exhausted. Therefore, while using the resources entire universe should be realised as one unit. Resources are meant for all and must continue even while being used. Traditional wisdom must be married with the modern knowledge to pave the path of humanity’s development. Use of Hindi and other Indian languages must be increased and problems must be addressed at local levels.
These conclusions were drawn at ‘Manthan’, the first technical session of the Indian Science Conference at the conference hall of ‘Aryabhattapuram’ on the premises of Ravindra Bhawan. Chief guest of the inaugural session was Indian Planning Commission member V L Chopra while Vigyan Bharti chairman Prof. K I Basu presided. Those who delivered thought-provoking and informative lectures on the subject ‘Integrated scientific management of natural resources for sustainable development’ included noted biotechnologist Mrs. Manju Sharma, architect of super computer Vijay Bhatkar, Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology Director General Mahesh Sharma and Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalay vice-chancellor Prof. PB Sharma.
Addressing the session as chief guest, Chopra said that soil, bio-diversity, water and human resources should be preserved and tapped through skillful management so that their balance is not disturbed. Agriculture is the integral part of India’s life and economy and all these four resources form basis of it. These four components are precious for other sectors also, he added.
Chopra lamented that proper attention is not being given to the health of India’s soil. Wanton use of unwanted and harmful chemicals has attacked its health very adversely which has undermined the soil’s fertility in a deadly way. Therefore, India’s planners, intellectuals, farmers, scientists and all concerned must give top priority to maintain the health of soil, Chopra added.
About water Chopra was of the opinion that it is being used by every section of society unmindfully and is also being overly wasted. The need for water and population are increasing day by day especially use of water in agriculture, industry and other sectors has gone up unprecedented. This has put both ground as well underground water levels under tremendous pressure, he said adding that in the coming time best use of water and its proper management would become one of the biggest requirements of humanity.
Similarly, safeguarding bio-diversity and balancing it is also a big challenge. This diversity is decreasing by the day. Chopra said that in organised farming every kind of crops should be sown instead of one single crop. He observed that Madhya Pradesh has rich bio-diversity and vast forest area which can form basis of the state’s prosperity. Adequate attention should also be paid for human resource development which we have failed to use for advances of science and technology for the benefit of human resource development. He said that the meaning of sustainable development is to increase production in such a way that production processes are not adversely affected.
According to Chopra it is vital to use indigenous methods to solve the problems arising in India. Global methods can be used provided they are adapted to Indian conditions. He praised the Madhya Pradesh Government for raising allocation for science five times and hoped that this amount would be utilised in the best way. He exhorted the youths to adopt science as career.
Inventor of Super Computer and famous scientists Vijay Bhatkar said that resources can be conserved in spite of their utilisation if we consider the entire universe as a single unit. The path for humanity’s progress would be laid only through coordination of self-knowledge and scientific knowledge. It would be suicidal to lay entire emphasis on worldly knowledge setting aside spiritualism, he added.
He said that it is also vital to have a unified perception of nature and earth. Its unity in diversity must be understood. He said that presence or absence of even a butterfly can greatly impact the nature. He termed as most important and vital the coordination between traditional and modern knowledge for progress and development. According to him, computers must be used in every language and use of Indian languages in science communication must be increased. He hoped that this conference would prove to be a new chapter in the history of science.
Famous bio-technologist Prof. Mrs. Manju Sharma said that bio-technology can greatly help in the development of Madhya Pradesh and India in 21st century. Science and technology have brought about sea change in life but so far the developing countries have failed to avail their full benefits. She said that bio-technology is one of the most powerful tools for social and economic development. There are a lot of job opportunities in this sector. IT (Information Technology) is called India’s Today, BT (Bio-Technology) is the Bharat Tomorrow, she observed. Bio-technology has ushered in a new era of science, she said adding that Madhya Pradesh has vast possibilities vis-a-vis biotechnology. She said that the state government should give more attention towards it. Networking of all the organisations concerned and voluntary bodies would be helpful in this direction. She also urged the youths to adopt science as career.
Vigyan Bharti chairman Prof. K I Basu while throwing light on the background of inception of Vigyan Bharti, said that the objectives of the organisation are to make coordination between spiritualism and science, to promote Indian methods of science and encourage use of Indian languages in science. He said that India is a country with ancient and rich scientific traditions. Enumerating the great discoveries and works of ancient Indian scientists, he said that the young generation must be made aware of ancient Indian scientists and scholars’ achievements in Vaastu, chemistry, mathematics, astrology, Yoga, Dhyan, town planning and several other fields. He said that all the Indian languages including Sanskrit are based on scientific principles and their effective use in scientific studies must be ensured.
Throwing light on the objects of the science conference, the Director General of Madhya Pradesh Council for Science and Technology (MAPCOST) Mahesh Sharma said that the conclusions drawn here can form the basis of India’s Science Policy. He said that wanton and indiscriminate use of nature has caused several dangerous conditions and challenges. Now the need is being felt for changing the lifestyle in big way. In this connection Mahatma Gandhi, Jai Prakash Narain, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Ram Monohar Lohia have shown us the path through their thoughts and actions. Therefore, the scientists must change their thinking and direct their researches and experiments in the light of the thought laid down by the great visionaries of India.
RGPV vice-chancellor Prof. PB Sharma said that the purpose of the conference is to give Indian direction and orientation to science in the best interest of people, nature and the universe while conserving nature. He said that a scientist is not bound by a particular thinking of Ism but is a person whose heart is free and joyful. He said that nature should be tapped in such a way that even the Nature itself and the God are pleased. ([email protected])