EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
DELHI THE HINDU 10 EDITORIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE A tragedy that was long in the making Illegal rathole mining in Meghalaya persists despite ruinous eff ects on the environment
possible to put things together to protect the community rights of Familial face assist the rescue mission. But des tribals from any form of exploita pite his initiative, things were de tion of their land and resources. Priyanka Gandhi can be a star campaigner, but layed. The distance of the mine, How can it now be used as an in the Congress still needs to fl esh out its vision for one, was a major hindrance. strument to protect an activity Then there are other issues that that is a private enterprise, that is n appointing his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a P atricia Mukhim need to be highlighted. The inhuman, and that violates Article general secretary of the party, Congress president trapped miners were being racial 21 of the Constitution? Why is the IRahul Gandhi probably calculated that the benefi ts he eff orts to reach the 15 ly profi led in the minds of the peo Sixth Schedule unable to protect outweighed the risks. While the BJP lost no time in de miners trapped in an illegal ple and the state. Of the 15 miners, the forests and rivers that are com crying the move as another instance of dynastic polit Tcoal mine in the East Jaintia only three were locals from the mon property resources? Acid ics, the highstakes manoeuvre could lift the profi le of hills of Meghalaya since December nearby village of Lumthari. The mine drainage has rendered even the Congress as a serious contender in the general elec 13 continue, but they began belat rest were Muslims from Garo Hills, agricultural land nonproductive. tion. In Uttar Pradesh, where it has been left high and edly and have faced many Meghalaya, and Bodoland, Assam. Mine owners do not care about en
problems. Their socioeconomic profi le also PTI vironmental degradation. dry in the seatsharing deal between the Samajwadi worked against them. They were Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, it sorely needs a Doomed from the beginning the poorest of the poor who took a ing of coal. One, why does the that coal mining provides liveli Abandoning responsibility dramatic turnaround in political fortunes. While her First, the Meghalaya government huge risk to enter a mine and dig state allow this archaic mining sys hoods for many, but at what cost? The cement giant, Lafarge, mines formal induction into politics may have been prompted has no idea what happens inside for coal without any safety gear. tem, which has complete disre limestone from Meghalaya’s East by a number of factors, including the illhealth of her these rathole mines, which are When a mine is fl ooded, the im gard for human life and safety? The fault-lines Khasi Hills district and transports mother, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the barely 2 ft wide, since mining is a mediate response, apart from And two, why is Meghalaya ex The tribes of Meghalaya are divid it to Chhatak in Bangladesh via charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh was surely meant as a private activity. Despite the Na pumping out the water, is to stop empted from national mining ed on the issue of rathole mining. conveyor belts. The Supreme tional Green Tribunal ban of April further fl ow of water into it. This laws? Rathole mining, which The faultlines are clear. Those Court placed a heavy penalty on signal to the SP and the BSP. Although her only previous 2014, mining continues in the requires a hydrologist to scientifi started with gusto in the 1980s, who care for the environment and Lafarge and asked it to strictly im formal role in politics was as the party’s campaign man State. Second, it was unfortunate cally map out the area from where has poisoned three rivers in the for a future for their children and plement environmental laws apart ager in Amethi and Rae Bareli, constituencies of her that the district administration as water entered the mine. Sudhir Jaintia hills: the Myntdu, Lunar grandchildren have been clamour from generating livelihoods for pe brother and mother, Ms. Vadra is high on charisma qu sumed the miners to be dead on Kumar, a hydrologist from the Na and Lukha. Scientists from the ing for an end to the practice of ople residing within 50 km of the otient, that intangible but nonetheless real quality that the very day of the tragedy. This tional Institute of Hydrology, Roor NorthEastern Hill University have rathole mining and reckless lim mining areas. In the case of coal saw crowds gather in the party’s pocket boroughs. The assumption was evident in the let kee, arrived only two weeks after found that these rivers have very estone mining. On the other hand, mine owners, there are no such NehruGandhi lineage aside, Ms. Vadra commands a ter written to the National Disaster the disaster. So did the divers from high acidic levels. Reports from the mining elite have mobilised strictures. They have left thou Response Force. It was only after a the Indian Navy and the 100 HP other agencies suggest that pH of forces to demonise environmental sands of abandoned mines as hu stage presence, helped no doubt by a resemblance to Delhibased lawyer, Aditya N. Pra water pumps from Kirloskar the water and sulphate and iron activists. A community of just over man graves. The State does not in her grandmother Indira Gandhi. Whether she will take sad, represented by senior Su Brothers. The remotely operated concentrations indicate signifi cant a million is now fragmented. To sist that they reclaim and aff orest her mother’s place in Rae Bareli is not clear as yet, but preme Court advocate Anand underwater vehicle (ROV) from deterioration of the rivers. Acid add to these woes, cement compa those mines. In 40 years of mining this is a suggestion that there could be a longterm role. Grover and his team of human Planys in Chennai came three mine drainage from abandoned nies also release their effl uents in and profi teering, the mine owners In many ways, the nomination is an admission of the rights lawyers presented their sug weeks later. So did the geologists mines was a major cause for water to the rivers. So we now have a have till date not constructed a sin party’s overreliance on the family, but to the credit of gestions to the court that the from Hyderabad. All these delays pollution in the areas investigated, deadly cocktail of pollutants being gle hospital or even a school. Mr. Gandhi, he has been engaging in wider consulta Meghalaya government got diff e happened because there was no the reports added. released into the environment. There is complete disregard for rent actors to the accident site. Mr. one person or agency to coordi The coal mine owners have The scale of the problem is clear in corporate social responsibility be tions within the party on important decisions. The Con Prasad has never visited Megha nate the rescue mission. This been hiring the best legal brains to this one fact: there are 3,923 coal cause the mines are privately gress is still a centralised party, and Mr. Gandhi is rou laya. When asked why he is the pe shows the kind of disaster prepa argue for them in the highest court mines in one district with a geo owned by the tribals. How long tinely authorised to take the fi nal call on all matters big titioner on behalf of the miners, he redness we have in our country. of the land. They say that rathole graphical area of 2126 sq. km. can the Central government and and small; but, equally, he has also shown the ability to simply said: “They are fellow In One shudders to think what the mining should continue because The other troubling factor is the highest court of the land allow step back in a spirit of accommodation in dealings with dians and my brethren.” That so response would be if there was a no other form of mining is viable that coal mine owners are insisting this to carry on in one part of the allied parties. That he did not declare himself as a meone based in Delhi should have massive earthquake in the North (which means that their profi t that since Meghalaya is a State un country when strict laws are ap prime ministerial candidate of the Opposition was born the empathy lacking in the people east, which is listed as Zone 5 on margins would reduce if other der the Sixth Schedule of the Con plied elsewhere? and the government shows that the seismic scale. forms of mining were to take stitution, national mining laws of tactical necessity; even so, he has shown a fair humanity is a dying virtue. There are many questions that place). They argue that the NGT should be exempted here. The P atricia Mukhim is Editor, The Shillong amount of maturity in dealing with a wide array of al Mr. Prasad has done everything arise with respect to rathole min ban should be lifted. They claim Sixth Schedule was enacted to Times lies. During the Manmohan Singh years, the Congress was able to counter, to an extent at least, the perception that it revolved around the dynasty. And the BJP may not fi nd much political purchase in linking Ms. Vadra’s The ground beneath our feet has moved to the right appointment to dynastic politics; there will be no sur prise, however, if it starts harping on her husband’s al legedly murky land dealings, which had cropped up Hate has become mainstream. This can only change when democracy is no longer equated with majoritarianism during the 2014 election campaign. What should en gage the Congress is not what the BJP may say about Ms. public sphere. But this normalisa of caste, class and gender oppres hate speech on its platform:
#70929 Vadra, but what she can say and do for it. The party tion of hate is not just verbal. Ac sions is postponed. The real benef “When you have politicians going needs much more than a star campaigner; it needs cording to Hate Crime Watch, a iciaries are not the most op on TV and saying these things ev multiorganisation eff ort steered pressed Hindus and Muslims, but ery night, [we] can’t start limiting leaders that can revitalise the organisation by present by FactChecker.in, last year saw only the demagogues, the “fi shers people’s freedom of speech… We ing it as an alternative to the BJP. For that, it will have to N issim Mannathukkaren the highest number of religiously for eels” that Aristophanes recog can’t take a call on what is hateful come up with a truly inclusive, egalitarian vision that motivated hate crimes in a decade, nised 2,500 years ago. When ma or not.” Social media can rejuve privileges allround development above all else. and in 75% of those incidents, the ny distressed farmers and a sec nate democracy by giving a voice t a public rally on January victims were minorities. tion of the urban unemployed vote to the voiceless, but that space for 22, BJP president Amit Shah The Congress’s recent victories for the Congress or secular par debate has been hijacked by IT GETTY IMAGES/ ISTOCK PHOTO Season’s worst Aclaimed that the Opposi cannot be read as a triumph of sec ties, it is not that they do not share cells of political parties and the tion’s mahagathbandhan rally in ularism over communalism, or of the same ideological universe as masses following them. A concerted public health push is required to Kolkata did not have slogans of economic issues like rural distress Hanuman cannot any more be a the rightwing. The socalled victo tackle periodic outbreaks of infl uenza “Vande Mataram” or “Bharat Mata and urban middle class angst gentle devotee of Lord Ram. And if ries of secularism will still be on a Eliminating hate ki Jai.” The implication was that about development. This is be U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Aditya ground ploughed by the cancer of It is diffi cult to roll back something easonal infl uenza poses a signifi cant public health the Opposition is antinational. cause the ground beneath our feet nath uses religiously infl ammatory hate and mountain of fake news. It that acquires normalcy. “Unin challenge for India every year. The spurt in infec But the only hitch was that Mr. has almost irrevocably shifted to words like “Congress can keep Ali, is no surprise then that the Con stalling” hate from social media tions during the fi rst two weeks of 2019 cries out Shah’s claim was fake. The bugle accommodate the extreme right Bajrangbali is enough for us” with gress too puts out fake news, albeit platforms and the larger public S for the general election has been wing agenda of virulent masculini of a noncommunal kind. sphere cannot be achieved for an eff ective plan to contain it. Rajasthan, which had impunity in campaign speeches, it sounded. ty, antiminority and antiDalit is because his hate speeches have India is not unique in this res through mere electoral victories, a big case load last year, is the worstaff ected State in hate. For instance, the state res pect. Hateful messages on social or stronger laws, even if they are the current season, with 768 cases and 31 deaths as of become commonplace. Mainstreaming hate ponse to the brutal killing of a pol Muslims bear the brunt of this media propelled the farright can important. While electoral allianc January 13. There have been peaks in the country over Since the Congress’s victory in De iceman by a mob in Bulandshahr new normal (witness the BJP’s didate Jair Bolsonaro to victory in es, like that of the Bahujan Samaj the past six years, with the number of cases recorded cember in three Assembly elec in Uttar Pradesh was to make vil dangerous antiMuslim rhetoric on Brazil, they were used by the Party and Samajwadi Party, can by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme tions, there has been a fl urry of lages take a pledge against cow the Citizenship Amendment Bill), Myanmar military against the Roh dent Hindutvafuelled hate, they soaring to 42,592 and the death toll touching 2,990 in communally laced fake news from slaughter! Further, the National for hate further marginalises the ingya, and they led to violence cannot eliminate it. This can hap the Sangh Parivar on social media. Security Act was invoked against against immigrants in the U.K. and pen only through a multifaceted 2015. With better understanding of the nature of active already politically marginalised. One claim was that Muslims in Ra the alleged cow slaughterers, but This is also facilitated by Muslim the refugees in Germany. Transfor cultural and political struggle to viruses and the availability of a quadrivalent vaccine, jasthan carried Pakistani fl ags as not the killers. Even the language mational democratic solidarities realise that democracy is not ma State governments have no excuse for failing to sharply leaders themselves. For example, they celebrated the Congress’s we use has changed. Prime Minis All India MajliseIttehadul Musli can scarcely emerge out of a toxic joritarianism; rather, its core te reduce the spread. Last year, the Union Ministry of win. Another was that Congress ter Narendra Modi, in a December meen leader Akbaruddin Owaisi public sphere and social media. In nets are equality, liberty and fra Health and Family Welfare deputed teams to assist Ra president Rahul Gandhi praised Is election campaign speech, said: responded to Mr. Adityanath’s ve India, the vastly disproportionate ternity, all of which jasthan in containing the outbreak. It is pertinent to ask lam as the source of Mahatma “The Congress has come up with a nomous speeches with the same culpability of Hindutva conjoined incontrovertibly stand against what preventive measures were put in place based on Gandhi’s nonviolence. And yet ‘fatwa’ that I should not begin my religious rabblerousing, chanting with state power is clear. Accord hate and demagoguery. And that another was that Mr. Gandhi rallies with ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.” It ing to a BBC study, calls for nation there can be no democracy if there the experience. Largescale vaccination covering high NaaraeTakbeers in political gath prayed for a Muslim kingdom in says a lot that the Prime Minister’s erings completely populated by building are trumping truth and is no sanctity of speech, and no in risk groups such as health workers, people with lung, India at a dargah. All these claims pitting of a muchdemonised term there is an “overlap of fake news tention to speak the truth. kidney, liver and heart disease, diabetics and the elder men. were exposed by Alt News. from Islamic jurisprudence In this thrall of a hatefi lled false sources on Twitter and support ly could reduce the impact of the viruses in States such While there is a gradual main against ‘Bharat Mata’ does not binary of a monolithic Hindu ver networks for the ruling party”. N issim Mannathukkaren is Chair, as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and the streaming of hatred, elections es shock us. If there are images of an sus a monolithic Muslim, the Social media portal ShareChat, International Development Studies National Capital Region, all of which had a large num pecially push the envelope regard angry Hanuman everywhere, it is building of solidarities on the basis used in 14 Indian languages, said Department, Dalhousie University, ber of cases three years ago. A universal preventive pro ing what can be uttered in the because there is a miasma of hate; very presciently about increasing Canada and tweets @nmannathukkaren gramme should be considered at least for the future. Last year, the Union Health Ministry put out an advi sory on the right vaccine to protect against a known set LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. of viruses, such as Infl uenza A H1N1, H3N2 and Infl uen za B. Yet, most public health programmes are not pre P riyanka in politics Ms. Vadra’s career to an Priyanka Gandhi provides mean she deserves to be defeats and want to return heart attack but stops bus pared for a mass adoption of the vaccine. Nonavailabil The Congress is hoping that extent. an additional blow to the general secretary? As usual to paper ballot indicates safely”, Jan. 24). What is ity of suffi cient doses of quadrivalent vaccine as well as Priyanka Gandhi’s S.V. Venkatakrishnan, BJP, which already seems to the Congress has failed to that they intend to play shocking is that there were profi teering on the demand have not been addressed. If resemblance to former Bengaluru be rather jittery. That so recognise party leaders mischief to gain electoral no duty doctors at the a vaccine has proven effi cacy in reducing the burden of Prime Minister Indira many BJP leaders, including who have worked hard and victory. hospital! What kind of a seasonal infl uenza, it must be made part of the public Gandhi and the goodwill It is unfortunate that the the Prime Minister, have who have experience. One V.S. Ganeshan, hospital is this that doesn’t that the Gandhi family Congress used its dynastic commented on her entry can only hope that Robert Benagluru have doctors? What are health system. An umbrella scheme such as Ayushman enjoys in parts of Uttar card to change the course proves this. Vadra too isn’t given some people expected to do in Bharat can easily provide it to everyone using public Pradesh will translate into of the political game in U.P. Tharcius S. Fernando, important role. Poor state of hospitals emergencies? The and private institutions. Campaigns to educate the pu votes (“Rahul appoints That it does not mind Chennai Sirat Sapra, It is admirable that the bus government must ensure blic through mass media ahead of the season, especially Priyanka as Congress splitting the antiBJP vote in Fazilka driver stopped the vehicle that government hospitals on respiratory etiquette and risk reduction, can help general secretary”, Jan. 24). order to salvage its prestige Priyanka Gandhi’s after suff ering a heart have infrastructure and cut transmission. At the same time, upgrading existing Ms. Vadra’s campaign can speaks about its delusions appointment is a shot in the Let EVMs stay attack. It is also admirable staff who are as good as vaccines requires a consistent eff ort to track viral muta be expected to make some about being the nation’s arm for the Congress, but it The article, “An electoral that the doctor in the bus those in private hospitals. impact on the women vote natural choice for forming might diminish the aura intervention that has gave him fi rstaid and the B.J.S. Christopher, tions that take place periodically, and communicate the bank. However, her government. But the arrival reserved for Rahul Gandhi clicked” (Jan. 24), was passengers and conductor H yderabad information to researchers through open access data appointment has given yet of Priyanka Gandhi will in the party. The party can heartening to read given tried to get him help more letters online: bases. There are 41 Virus Research Diagnostic Laborato another opportunity to the neither change the SPBSP’s benefi t from this, however, the vehement pleas for a (“Telangana driver suff ers www.hindu.com/opinion/letters/ ries in India and they can study the nature of infections BJP to allege that the stand nor will it enthuse the if dual power centres are return to the paper ballot to provide genetic insights to peer scientists. This can Congress promotes voters who have no successfully avoided. system. The Election corrections & clarifications: The weight of MicrosatR is 740 kg and not 130 kgas reported in the text or 100 kg as mentioned help develop vaccines and remedies. When it comes to dynastic politics. She also emotional connect with a Ayyasseri Raveendranath, Commission has been Aranmula in the graphic of the report, “ISRO to launch military satellite to treatment, the availability of antiviral drugs such as carries with her the politician who appears sincerely trying to improve night” ( January 24, 2019). baggage of Robert Vadra, before them once in fi ve the EVMs to avoid glitches Oseltamivir in the public health system should be en who is facing corruption years. This is a clear example of and malfunctions. Political It is the policy of The Hindu to correct signifi cant errors as soon as possible. Please specify sured. Seasonal infl uenza will, according to the WHO, the edition (place of publication), date and page. The Readers’ Editor’s office can be charges. The U.P. polls will V.N. Mukundarajan, nepotism. Priyanka Gandhi parties know the problems contacted by Telephone: +91-44-28418297/28576300 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to continue to resurface. India must prepare for it with a determine not only the T hiruvananthapuram may have taken decisions with the paper ballot Friday); Fax: +91-44-28552963; Email:[email protected]; Mail: Readers’ Editor, The Hindu, Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860 Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002, India. comprehensive programme that covers all the States. party’s prospects this for the party in the past, system; that they continue All communication must carry the full postal address and telephone number. No personal general election but also The appointment of but that surely does not to blame EVMs for their visits. The Terms of Reference for the Readers’ Editor are on www.thehindu.com CM A ND-NDE YK THE HINDU DELHI FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 OPED 11 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
YES, NO, IT’S COMPLICATED Are we undermining our scientifi c temper? YES S cience funding is inadequate and science scientifi c temper would British to a people united should have been laughed at by It is hard to know how to reverse result in a questioning of in the pursuit of know those at the kindergarten level. this deterioration in scientifi c tem management is problematic their rule and preferred ledge and a search that It is now not only acceptable but per. While the Chinese are on the to keep their subjects would bring prosperity fashionable for public fi gures to ut far side of the moon, Indians are There was much angst early this learning, not to mention research, subservient. It was only in its wake. ter scientifi c nonsense. For in busy treating cancer with cow month about the disgraceful re and the ISC is the only venue where after Independence that stance, the Vice Chancellor of And urine and looking to the past for marks that have been over the last scientists meet their peers and get the need for scientifi c Superstitions hold hra University, who represents the modern fi ghter jets. few years at the Indian Science affi rmation of their work. It is truly temper was considered Unfortunately, the vision academics of not just his university Congress (ISC) meetings, to the a shame that a handful have to be important. It was even felt of the giants of our freedom strug but the country, feels no shame in Changing facts point where even the organisers brought disrepute to the entire In that scientifi c temper should be gle foundered in a morass of medio talking about test tube babies in In Funding for science is inadequate, Jayant Murthy felt the need to take a stand. This is dian science community, particu protected as a fundamental duty. crity. Even those educated in the dia’s ancient history at the ISC. This the management of science is pro is a senior professor at unfortunate because the ISC has larly to those at less favoured insti For Jawaharlal Nehru, scientifi c best institutes in the country never man holds important roles in the blematic, and the university system the Indian Institute of traditionally been a forum for tutes who, if nothing else, spread temper did not mean that everyone lost their superstitions. They stu science hierarchy and yet no one in has failed. Teaching has become a Astrophysics scientists from all parts of the coun scientifi c temper through their own had to study science; rather, it was died modern science, used modern authority fi nds the necessity to political game in schools, with facts try to present their work. It is a fo actions to the broader community. a way of thinking, a way to break devices, achieved material prosper comment on this, let alone punish changing according to the govern rum where research that is ground the hold of superstitions by apply ity and yet held the most regressive him. Even the science academies ment of the day. A few brave organ ed in rationality has always been Nehru and scientifi c temper ing rationality and thought. Educa views. ‘Godmen’ catering to the are silent. One may easily conclude isations, such as the Breakthrough given a hearing, even if it did not The broader question to be an tional structures in ondependent educated middle class have used that scientifi c temper is not impor Science Society (of which I am a make it to peerreviewed journals. swered here is whether the nation India were to spearhead the transi the power of the media and social tant to the government and, per part), are trying to break the chains The vast majority of Indian educa is undermining its scientifi c tem tion of the nation from a people sti media to spread their superstitions haps even more tellingly, to of superstition, but they are lonely tional institutes actively discourage per. The British understood that fl ed by the medieval darkness of the and broadcast messages that scientists. voices in the wilderness.
NO A ll of India’s Prime Ministers have been strong ment brought science to dreams of 1.3 billion peo Both have their own destinies and At the 106th Indian Science Con the centre of national ple, which can only be realms to fulfi l. Aryabhata invented gress, instead of focusing on the re protagonists of science and technology discourse. Keeping up realised through science. his astronomical theorems without search fi ndings of the three Nobel the legacy, Mr. Modi has Both Apara Vidya, or the help of any modern instru laureates, Avram Henshko, F. Dun From Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan (hail also given extraordinary knowledge of the intel ments 1,500 years ago, which scien can M. Haldane, and Thomas Chris Modi, India’s Prime Ministers have the soldier, hail the farmer)” after support to science and lect, and Para Vidya, or tists were able to unravel with ad tian Südhof, the media focussed on been strong protagonists of science the war with Pakistan in 1965 to en technology by further higher knowledge, are in vanced equipment only in recent unimportant issues. The space for and technology and have believed thuse farmers and soldiers for the adding “Jai Anusandhan separably embedded in times. reporting their promising and posi that the wellbeing of the common great task ahead, thus underlining (hail research)” to the slogan. the Indian psyche. India’s greatest slogan, Vasud- tive thoughts was consumed by re man is vested in scientifi c temper. the two core pillars of the nation. India is among the top 10 coun haiva Kudumbakam (the world is ports on the Kauravas and their A. Jayakumar When India successfully tested tries for scientifi c research, accord Science is for humanity one family), which is engraved in “connection with stem cells” and is the secretary general Protagonists of science the nuclear bombs at Pokhran, ing to data released by Elsevier, a Science has always been universal the central hall of Parliament, calls the “missile technology of Lord of Vijnana Bharati Nehru said: “Lots of people may Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee publisher of scientifi c articles and and neutral . Pseudointellectuals for acceptance and respectful coex Vishnu”. not know, why such an emphasis is declared India a fullfl edged nu journals. There have been many in and people with unscientifi c beliefs istence. Keeping up with our tradi India will defi nitely march ahead being put on science... this may not clear state. In his address, he enun digenous programmes in scientifi c masquerade as scientists to under tions, the Indian scientifi c com with scientifi c vigour, indomitable show immediate results, but will fi ciated his priorities for the nation research. In space missions, India is mine Indian science. My opinion is munity should declare that science courage and technology in the nally result in the upliftment of the by adding “ Jai Vigyan (hail counted among the top six in the that we should never burden our is for humanity, and should avoid years to come. The legacy of country.” India’s second Prime Mi science)” to “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”. world. puranas and religious stories with looking at science through the science and scientifi c temper can nister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, coined In this manner, the Indian govern India cannot undermine the India’s scientifi c achievements. prism of religion and beliefs. never be undermined in India.
IT'S Public rationality has to be ethical include all scientists in then it is not so easy to tifi c temper in our public discourse. tics of public rationality. If some COMPLICATED all their interactions undermine it because its It is important to realise that public scientists mistakenly want to call it and humanitarian with their family, col nature is such that it will rationality — the ways by which we scientifi c temper, thereby negating leagues and society? not be easily swayed. can discuss and dispute public mat other infl uences on this attitude, The answer is complicated because engineering sciences are quite dif The third ambiguous Human truths cannot ters in a public manner — needs then they are using this term in an the terms in the question are them ferent. The scientifi c attitude in the term is the word ‘under be reduced to matters of some codes of conduct. For exam ideological manner. selves ambiguous. ‘social sciences’ also has diff erent mining’. What exactly is evidence and arguments ple, using anger to infl uence a posi The reason I resist the reduction characteristics from the scientifi c being undermined? If all alone. For example, even tion, or holding on to a view inde of these characteristics to scientifi c Three ambiguous terms attitude in the physical and mathe the citizens had some notion of if all tests show a child to be lacking pendent of what others say, or what temper is that a scientifi c attitude The fi rst ambiguous term is ‘scien matical sciences. So which of these scientifi c temper, then we can un in some cognitive skills, it would the evidence points to are some ex has an intrinsic problem with ethi Sundar Sarukkai tifi c temper’. While much has been types of scientifi c temper are being derstand whether it is getting un not be correct to call the child an amples of what we should not do. cal and humanitarian values. Public teaches philosophy at made of it, there is no clear defi ni undermined today? dermined today for various rea ‘idiot’. Human and cultural truths To be dispassionate about argu rationality is one that has to be eth the National Institute tion of what scientifi c temper is . It The second ambiguous term is sons. But we do not even know who need mediation of ethical values ments that might be critical of one’s ical and humanitarian since it is of Advanced Studies may broadly refer to a scientifi c dis ‘we’. Who is this ‘we’? If it includes has scientifi c temper, nor do we such as compassion and respect. position or privilege is necessary. about decisions and relationship position (a way of knowing someth all the citizens of the country, then know how it manifests in their inte The lack of these in scientifi c tem Being dispassionate, taking into ac with other humans. We need this ing), but that is a problem since we could ask: why should all citi ractions. So what is really getting per is what undermines it fi rstly. count insights and information larger public rationality, which #70929 ways of knowing in diff erent scienc zens possess scientifi c temper? And undermined? And if people do pos from diff erent sources, and follow draws on some ideas of scientifi c at es are quite diff erent. For instance, who are the people who actually sess scientifi c temper, is it so easy to What is public rationality? ing an argument to its end even titude as well as those derived from the methods in physics, chemistry, possess scientifi c temper? It could undermine it? One could argue that On the other hand, it is important though its conclusions may not be the practices of philosophy, litera biology, the medical sciences and be scientists but surely it does not if one possesses scientifi c temper, to have something similar to scien pleasing to one are all characteris ture, social studies and the arts.
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FIFTY YEARS AGO JANUARY 25, 1969 Checks and balances Controversy over Kerala land bill resolved Granting more power to the States The controversy between the Centre and Kerala over the Ker and limiting those of the Centre ala Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill and the Kerala Stay of Ev iction Proceedings (Amendment) Bill has been resolved. This could threaten the unity of India was announced today [Jan. 24] by Mrs. K.R. Gowri, Kerala Re Uday Balakrishnan venue Minister, after her meeting with the Union Home Minis ter, Mr. Y.B. Chavan, in New Delhi. The Centre’s concurrence to the Stay of Eviction Proceedings Bill is already on its way to As Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra the State Government. In the case of the Land Reforms Bill, Modi often complained that the Cen the concurrence would be sent to the Kerala Government in tral government was sitting too heavi two or three days. In the case of the Land Reforms Bill, Mrs. ly on the States. Recently, West Bengal Gowri said the Centre had given up its demand for reservation Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee al of 20 per cent of the plantation area for further expansion.
AFP leged that “India’s federal structure is being bulldozed by the unilateral, ar bitrary action of the Centre.” A HUNDRED YEARS AGO JANUARY 25, 1919 Ms. Banerjee has often espoused the idea that the powers of the Central government should be limited to a few areas Women’s Education. like external aff airs and defence. Muhammad Ali Jinnah too had wanted it that way. It was something which the Con Presiding this evening [Jan. 24] at the prize distribution of the gress along with communal electorates, had quite rightly re United Free Church of Scotland Mission Girl Schools [in Cal jected, paving the way for Partition in 1947. CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC cutta], His Excellency Lord Ronaldshay said that the move Promoting the federal idea now, merely to counter Mr. ment in favour of women’s education was fast gathering Modi, will be disastrous. Any more power to the States DATA POINT strength. During the quinquennium ending with 191617 the would mean making Central authority weaker. It is in India number of public schools for girls increased in Bengal from holding itself together that its constituent parts have the 6957 to 9520 and the number of girl pupils under instruction most to gain — a big common market with the free move from 222,576 to 285,398. His Excellency pointed out that it ment of labour, for instance. Realising this, even large re must be perfectly obvious to every impartial observer that the gional parties like the DMK and the RJD, while not ready to curriculum which included such subjects as hygiene, nursing, cede power on home ground, have shown a strong prefe needlework, cookery and domestic work must be of far grea rence for a Congressled coalition to replace the Modiled ter practical value to Indian girls than a curriculum designed NDA. with a single eye upon Matriculation examination, but it must Constitutionally, India is a Union, not a federation, of be equally obvious to any moderately observant person that States with a Central government empowered to intervene Matriculation certifi cate in Bengal had acquired so extraordin in State aff airs in several ways and even split them. There is ary and so fi ctitious a value in the eyes of the people that it was an unstated bias in the Constitution for nationallevel parties diffi cult to persuade them to adopt what is obviously a more to run the Central government. NonCongress, nonBJP par rational course. ties have held power at the Centre for less than fi ve of the 71 years since Independence. The fi rst of these in 1977 lasted a CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC mere two years and 126 days; the others did not last even a year. It is obvious that the country could see off threats and CONCEPTUAL achieve signifi cant allround progress only under fi rm Cen tral control with parties having a panIndia appeal in power, U ncanny valley by themselves, or as the strongest constituents of coalitions Psychology at the Centre. The most dismal periods were when squab This refers to the feeling of revulsion that many human beings bling coalitions ran the Central government. feel when they interact with humanoid robots that are de Although India is not a federation, the country’s Constitu signed to closely resemble them. The feeling of unease is tion has, in the Rajya Sabha, ensured a strong forum for the linked to the unrealistic nature of such robots which fail to States. It is a tribute to this institution that the NDA, despite perfectly ape the physical and behavioural characteristics of having an overwhelming majority in the Lok Sabha, has not human beings. It is believed that the revulsion may be a natu been allowed to have its way all the time. Added to this, the ral reaction of the human brain in order to avoid unsuitable Constitution also created a powerful Supreme Court that mates. Robots that can look and behave perfectly like human checks the Central government from arbitrary exercise of its beings, however, may not cause unsettling feelings in human authority. This is about as far as India can go and yet expect beings that interact with them. The idea was proposed in a to stay together. 1970 article by Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori. As Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru most feared the “fi s siparous tendencies” that could break India. It was to safe CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC guard against such a possibility that he ensured the Consti tution stopped well short of casting India as a federation. M ORE ON THE WEB 3 Time has shown how right he was. Diary of a Little Woman | Thank god for gratitude The writer has taught public policy and contemporary history at IISc Bengaluru http://bit.ly/ShilpaThread
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