Page 2 - DREAM_E_Oct_2021

Editor-in-Chief
Nakul Parashar
Editor
Nimish Kapoor
Production
Pradeep Kumar Ganesh D. Kalghuge Bipro Kumar Sen
Language Editor
Sumita Mukherjee
Nakul Parashar
Mahatma and Science
passage mentions about his thoughts on industrialism.
The theme of sustainable development that Gandhiji was a great proponent of has evolved with the evolution of human civilization. In his Collected Works during 1888 to 1948, there are a number of places where Gandhiji certainly sought to humanize science & technology and make it more applicable to the poor.
Today, after so many years of his death, his vision to use science for the betterment of humanity and nature has become more relevant, more so, during the past two years since COVID-19 struck the world. Maintaining personal and public hygiene had always been high on Mahatma’s agenda throughout his life. Thus, it would be quite appropriate that we shall remember the Mahatma by pledging to ensure that we would do our bit by aligning our daily actions with the national mission like Swachh Bharat.
In our previous issues we had mentioned about our year-long initiatives with regards to the contribution of scientists, science communicators and teacher during the Indian independence. In this regard, we would like to remind you that during 20-21 October, we are planning to hold a mega conference of science communicators in hybrid mode (partly offline and mostly online) at New Delhi. Keeping in the view of the importance of the theme, we also plan to hold yet another conference of science teachers on the same theme during 17-18 November in the same format. So, please do not forget to register for it at www.swavigyan75.in. By the way, you could also access a lot more through this site.
WishingyouahappyGandhiJayanti, Dussehra and Durga Puja!
Email: nakul.parashar@vigyanprasar.gov.in
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Published by Dr Nakul Parashar on behalf of Vigyan Prasar, A-50, Institutional Area, Sector-62, Noida-201 309, U.P. India.
Cover Design & Illustrations By: BIPRO KUMAR SEN 2 dream2047/october2021
we have
stepped into the 75th year of Indian independence. Festivities have commenced. Through year-long programmes, we rem- ember the contribution of our freedom fighters. We also remember those who contributed greatly through their work in Science & Technology during the inde- pendence movement. Amidst these, comes in October, and the festive mood doubles up. Starting with remembering the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi on October 2nd, series of festivals follows one after the other.
Mahatma Gandhi and Science—a lot has been said and written on it. Despite his concerns over the impact of industrial revolution on society and environment, Mahatma is seen as one of the those social leaders who have always been an innovator and an inventor. In 1929, through a competition, he invited entries to design lightweight spinning wheel that could give him thread from raw cotton. In 1925, while addressing a crowd of students in Thiruvananthapuram, Mahatma said that “we cannot live without science”. He further said, “Unfortunately, we, who learn in colleges, forget that India lives in her villages and not in her towns. How will you infect the people of the villages with your scientific knowledge?” Gandhiji further emphasised that he lauded the need that led scientists & technocrats to do fundamental research, and do all of this as ‘science for the sake of science’.
Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography ‘The Story of My Experiments with Truth’ reflects that he was a keen student of experimentation. He did not rest till his queries were answered on the basis of scientific rationale. He supported the theme of sustainable development. In one of his papers published in 1928, a small