A writer, M. Ashraf Shah, has enumerated ways to promote the development of basic sciences in India, in his Op-ed article published by DailyExcelsior, a scientific blog.
Ahead of the official flag-off of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development, IYBSSD2022, few some months ahead, an opinion editorial (Op-ed) article has outlined ways to promote the development of basic sciences in India.
The article, authored by a writer, M. Ashraf Shah, explained that basic science provides the essential means to meet crucial challenges such as universal access to food, water, energy, health and communication technologies.
Physics, chemistry, biology…
It said that the scientific disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, which are regarded as basic sciences, provide a fundamental understanding of natural phenomena and the processes by which natural resources are transformed.
The Op-ed write-up, published on the website of DailyExcelsior, an online blog, observes that science is not just about inventions and technological advancements; but about the spirit of rational inquiry that can guide human lives.
Supporting basic sciences in India
On ways to promote, and support the development of basic sciences in India, Shah recommends: “We need to create the right ecosystem for the youngsters to become future leaders in science and lead our nation into the 21st century, as envisaged in NEP 2020.
“We have a scientific social responsibility (SSR), akin to corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“We need to move beyond the class rooms for better science communication in regional languages to reach out to students in their mother tongue and to inculcate a scientific temper and the spirit of inquiry.
What Indian govt must do
“Simultaneously, government must take steps to popularize science through books, documentary and broadcasts.
“We need to celebrate the role of our scientists, science communicators, science teachers, policymakers and institutions that have contributed in giving relief to humanity.
“We also must recount inspirational stories of our great scientists to our youngsters and encourage them to take up careers in science.
Increased investments in R&D
“We must increase public and private investments in Research & Development, nurture research scholars to do high-quality research, resolve bottlenecks in patenting regime and nurture promising ideas that find wide applications.
“I believe that support to the basic sciences indeed contributes to poverty reduction and hopeful that humanity lovers will keep on supporting basic science like the businessman and innovator Alfred Nobel, who dedicated whole of his wealth for sciences and instituted a prize (Nobel Prize) for those who do good to humanity.”
The op-ed article by M. Ashraf Shah can be found here.
