NEW DELHI, March 21 : Addressing the book launch event at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh called for standard publications and high quality scientific literature in Indian languages which can attract the world to India and its potential in the field of Science & Technology.
JNU’s newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Prof Santhishree Pandit and other faculty members were present on the occasion.
Speaking as Guest of Honour while formally releasing the book titled “A Brief History of Science in India”, written by Sabareesh, a JNU scholar, the Minister said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, science has not only entered every sphere of human life but has also become a tool for bringing ease of living.
Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that India is an imperishable idea which has a great potential to create and generate sub-ideas. He said that India does not have to be educated about what Science is, as Indians have a natural scientific temper which exists even without having sufficient means and resources.
Noting that our resources are out of proportion to our potential, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that we have always provided research resources to the world. Even before the independence, western researchers, particularly medical researchers, were regularly coming to India looking for oriental subjects and some of the great discoveries were made here,
The Minister said that the mismatch between our resources and outcome is the colonial mindset which has drained us of the esteem to be a scientist. He thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that since he became the Prime Minister, the esteem seems to be getting restored.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that India is not only the oldest but the most surviving civilization. He said that as a human being, we are continuously enduring to discover the undiscovered.
The Minister maintained that today’s global development has been constructed on the foundations of science, technology and innovation and the resulting revolution has pushed us towards modernity. However, a deeper understanding of India’s scientific past reveals that the foundations of global philosophical and scientific magnanimity were laid on the Indian soil.
Emphasising on India’s StartUp movement, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Universities like JNU have a vital role to play in imparting esteem to the pursuit of science.