A day to embody the true spirit of science

News: Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate (means science & technology is revered all over) was organised by government as a science week between 22^nd to 28^th feb. It was organised as a prelude to National Science Day on February 28 that commemorates Sir C.V. Raman’s discovery on light scattering.

As per the author, this program should have been designed for promoting critical thinking in our academic centres and removing all types of intellectual curtailments.

What should be the universal attitude towards science?

A prominent physicist, Freeman Dyson in his book, The Scientist as Rebel, explains the elements of soul of science. Following are a few takeaways from it.

First, Science is universal, like music, dance or poetry. It cannot be contained by restrictions imposed by the locally prevailing cultures, western or eastern, Arabs and Indians and Japanese and Chinese. Science has been nurtured by exchanges of ideas through ancient trade routes.

Second, evidence-based modern science is an intellectual rebellion against social constraints. It is evident from European renaissance of science of the Middle Ages, or the reawakening in India around the 19th century.

This rebellious spirit led to a resurgence of science in India in the pre-Independence days. Sir C.V. Raman’s discovery cannot be seen independent of the social reformism of those days.

Third, science is an inherently subversive act. It threatens establishment of all kinds, like, upending a long-standing scientific idea, or questioning the received political wisdom or irrationality.

What are the cultural challenges in India that can be reformed?

The Indian family system is authoritarian and patriarchal. Children from the beginning are sensitized to a collective self, leading to a loss of self