Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
India

'No Talk Of Mythology At Science Meet This Year'

IANS, 03 Jan, 2016 01:53 PM
    The once-bitten-twice-shy scientific community has decided to stick to the basic or applied science, keeping out mythology from their annual jamboree this time.
     
    "Only pure science is our real business this time. Last year, we had certain issues when mythology overshadowed science. We are away from it and concentrating on only science," Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) general secretary Arun Kumar told IANS at the 103rd annual event here, about 140 km from state capital Bengaluru.
     
    The 102nd session in Mumbai last year was marred by controversies as two scientists on January 4, 2015 jointly presented a paper, claiming that aircraft was invented in India during the Vedic age, dating back to 1500-500 BC.
     
    "We are totally avoiding those (mythology) type of things though they were allowed last time, maybe, due to some pressure from ministers and maybe from our own fraternity who wanted a session in the plenary on mythology," Kumar recalled.
     
    Two noted speakers -- Anand Bodas from Kerala and Ameya Jadhav from Mumbai -- demonstrated that aviation in the Vedic age was more advanced than in the modern versions through a paper on "Ancient Sciences through Sanskrit".
     
    In the absence of records or archives and lack of supporting evidence, the duo asserted that the ancient aircraft were huge and could even fly to other planets.
     
    Bodas, a principal at a pilot training school in Kerala, and Jadhav, a lecturer at the Swami Vivekananda International School and Junior College in Mumbai, lamented that owing to passage of time spanning hundreds of years, foreign rulers who looted the country and stole artefacts had denied benefit of doubt for its believers.
     
     
    "As per the theme, chosen carefully this time with the consent of all stake-holders, including the science and technology ministry and the Prime Minister's Office, we are focusing primarily on Make in India, Clean India and Digital India campaigns..." Kumar said.
     
    As last year's event took place seven months after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government took office and amid concerns over attempts to revive mythology at a mega science meet, the Kolkata-based association had not given a chance to its members to present any paper that is objectionable and stirs up a controversy.
     
    "It is not just a show, as right from Nobel laureates to a young scientist (they) have a certain tasks to share their achievements and experiences with everyone," said Kumar, who heads the Earth sciences department in the Manipur University. 
     
    He said the theme of the present session "on indigenous development" was selected keeping in view the government's priorities.
     
    The association's various bodies comprising advisories, councils and executive committees have also resolved to stick to core issues pertaining to core sciences.
     
    "Nothing controversial or objectionable will come out this time. Efforts are on to ensure the event is relevant and have solutions that will benefit all," Kumar added.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Gujarat Has Most Diabetics In India: Report

    Over a quarter of India's diabetics, which number at least 559,718 though data from several states was not available, are in the state of Gujarat which has the highest number at 161,578.

    Gujarat Has Most Diabetics In India: Report

    Delhi High Court Says Somnath Violent, Outrageous; Denies Anticipatory Bail

    Delhi High Court Says Somnath Violent, Outrageous; Denies Anticipatory Bail
    The judge was referring to two cases pertaining to the January 2014 Khirki Extension midnight campaign that Bharti carried out against some women African nationals when he was Delhi's law minister.

    Delhi High Court Says Somnath Violent, Outrageous; Denies Anticipatory Bail

    Modi To Leave For Day-long Visit To Ireland, Then On To US Tour

    Modi To Leave For Day-long Visit To Ireland, Then On To US Tour
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves on Wednesday for a day-long visit to Ireland during which he will hold discussions with Prime Minister Enda Kenny. Modi will depart for New York the same evening for the US leg of his tour.

    Modi To Leave For Day-long Visit To Ireland, Then On To US Tour

    Class 9 Student Gangraped In Car In West Delhi, 2 Detained

    Class 9 Student Gangraped In Car In West Delhi, 2 Detained
    The victim, a student of class 9 in a government school, was known to one of the accused identified as Sachin who lived in the same locality where she lived with her parents

    Class 9 Student Gangraped In Car In West Delhi, 2 Detained

    Narendra Modi To Visit Ireland, US From September 23-29

    Narendra Modi To Visit Ireland, US From September 23-29
    In posts on Facebook, Modi said he will be going to Ireland on September 23 - in the first visit by an Indian prime minister in almost 60 years - and hold talks with Taoiseach (prime minister) Enda Kenny. 

    Narendra Modi To Visit Ireland, US From September 23-29

    Narendra Modi's Canada Visit In April Cost Taxpayers Dearly

    Narendra Modi's Canada Visit In April Cost Taxpayers Dearly
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to Canada this year cost taxpayers more than 373,000 Canadian dollars ($283,100),

    Narendra Modi's Canada Visit In April Cost Taxpayers Dearly