The 102nd session of Indian Science Congress being organized in association with the University of Mumbai has become a platform to glorify the knowledge and achievements of ancient Indian sages and scientists. First it was Dr. Harshvardhan who raised eyebrows by making a controversial claim that Algebra was an invention of ancient Indian rishis and then Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change says that ancient India’s reservoir of knowledge and expertise can be exploited by modern entrepreneurs to develop applications based upon them.
Other speakers have also talked about ancient Indian science as a treasure house
Dr. Harshvardhan, while speaking at the 102nd session of the Indian Science Congress in Mumbai said that Indians have always been gracious and they shared their knowledge with the rest of the world selflessly. He said that Pythagoras theorem was developed by scientists in India even though ancient Greeks are credited with its development. Similarly, Algebra was discovered by ancient Indian mathematicians and it was called Beej ganit in India but Arabs took it away and gave it the name Algebra. Earlier, a speaker called Captain Anand Bodas had claimed that ancient Indians had air planes much more sophisticated than modern air planes as planes could halt mid air and move in any direction they desired.
Prakash Javadekar addressed the gathering at a symposium called Ancient Indian Sciences through Sanskrit. He said, “Knowledge is supreme, those who want to pursue the path of knowledge don’t see what the source is, or how old it is, everything that is old may not be gold, but all that is old is also not a waste”. He was obviously making a reference to the treasure of knowledge that exists as part of ancient Indian Scriptures on various treatises.
Germans have made use of concepts of ancient Indian science
The Union Minister feels that though ancient Indian scientists lacked modern tools and techniques, they developed amazing devices and gadgets solely with the help of observation and logic. Talking about the important and relevance of Sanskrit as a modern language, Javadekar said,“Germans were the first to recognize Sanskrit as the language of science and scientific expression and this is one thing that modern Germany acknowledges about India.”
Urged scientists to delve deeper into Sanskrit texts
The Minister urged the scientific community search for precious material in ancient texts written in Sanskrit as this material can inspire them to innovate and come up with gadgets and appliances for use in modern times. He said that when Germans can make use of Sanskrit to find ways to manufacture modern appliances, surely Indians would find it easier to do so as they would be more comfortable with the language.
Education system needs change to promote merit
Javadekar lamented the poor condition of research and innovation in India and held the education system responsible for it. “Our education system from primary level itself does not promote questioning the fundamentals. This system of rote learning hinders reasoning and inquisitiveness,”he said. He stressed the importance of encouraging virtues like innovation and inquisitiveness in kids to help them develop onto high quality scientists. It is these kids who will bear the burden of working for the welfare of the nation in future.
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About Sanjay Tandon
Sanjay Tandon is a graduate engineer from IIT Varanasi. He has been writing as a freelancer for many years. He loves to write on various niches. He is passionate about politics and economy and spends his free time watching news channels. He is also an expert on relationships.
