A problem of science at the Padma awards

Source– The post is based on the article “A problem of science at the Padma awards” published in The Hindu on 31st January 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- Indian culture

Relevance– Awards and recognitions

News– The article explains the issues raised by recent conferring of Padma awards under science and engineering category to plant breeders. It also tells about general perception oif science.

What is the general perception of science?

Science is distinguished in practice by following the scientific method and the rituals of academic publishing. It is an activity that only a highly and specifically trained group of people is allowed to practise.

Its findings are presumed to be implicitly superior to knowledge that isn’t uncovered and organised by the same rules.

Why the recent Padma awards to plant breeders under the category of science raises doubts?

Successful plant breeders defy the above-mentioned perceptions of science. So, perhaps they should be rewarded under a category called ‘agriculture and seeds.

Cheruvayal K. Raman was awarded the Padma Shri for having conserved more than 50 rice varieties on a modest farm in Wayanad. He wasn’t formally trained as a botanist or scientist.

He has not published scientific papers.

Over the years, agricultural scientists have understood the scientific basis of the work of those like Mr. Raman. However, such a basis alone doesn’t make something science.

Mr. Dudekula was also awarded with Padma Shri in the ‘science and engineering’ category. He has been credited with popularizing the dietary benefits of millets.

But his prescriptions also include scientifically dubious elements such as homoeopathy; consuming millets to “prevent” or cure various cancers, diabetes; and avoiding the consumption of milk, eggs, and non-vegetarian food.

Mr. Dudekula doesn’t appear to have published any scientific papers demonstrating the efficacy of these claims.

What is the way forward?

We shouldn’t celebrate alternative systems that compromise trust in scientifically tested medicine in the midst of a pandemic and several epidemics.

Increasing access to and consumption of millets could help India reduce its frightening prevalence of anemia. But, claims of therapeutic effects against cancer is a big leap and certainly requires scrutiny.

Before conferring any Padma award in the ‘science and engineering’ category, the Indian government must ensure that a claim has been scientifically validated. It should encourage the systematic validation of all such claims before they are lauded.