Scientific Solutions

On December 27, 2008 former President APJ Abdul Kalam inaugurated the 16th National Children Science Congress at Dimapur, Nagaland. It may be mentioned that a few years ago, the country observed the Year of Scientific Awareness, wherein the Governor and Chief Minister’s Jatha Teams toured all the districts of Nagaland. The series of tours then conducted under the aegis of the State government was aimed at creating awareness and also to highlight how peoples’ lives are constantly being affected by science. The Children’s Science Congress now underway presents another opportunity for young minds to be inculcated with scientific temper and to cultivate interest in areas of science and technology. In fact there is immense scope for development to take place in Nagaland by applying science and technology. One can cite the examples of hydrogers, solar lightings, telemedicine, connectivity, and cane and bamboo technology in Nagaland as benefits accruing from the application of scientific knowledge. However more needs to be done to improve the present technology so as to ensure maximum benefits for people. But this can be brought about only if we have the human resources at our disposal to harness scientific technology. As such the National Children Science Congress is a welcome initiative to encourage the younger generation to explore the wide avenues available in the areas of science and human development. 

The Nagaland school curriculum must continue to give importance to the subject in a way that young minds are both able and interested to imbibe a spirit of scientific temper, which will only benefit the State and society in the long run. Science as a curriculum in education has come to be widely accepted as essential for a more complete and holistic view of life. When we speak of scientific temper, it does not only mean chemistry or physics. Science is also about applying one’s reasoning power, of looking at solutions and applying common sense to solving many of our problems. Even peace making or negotiation can be successful if only there is more common sense and less political sense. While, Nagas aversion to studying science subject in school and colleges is well known, yet the study of science is useful for the growth and development of the human mind. In societies where science is ignored and neglected, the minds of the people remain stunted and dwarfed and the reasoning faculties remain dormant. The material progress and indeed well being of a society depends on striving towards scientific activity and therefore it is imperative to make students and citizens scientific-minded. Even for democracy to thrive, it is essential fro citizen’s to raise questions on matters of national importance. And for this, citizens must have an inquisitive mind. Scientific education has another advantage in that it is not based on human emotions. In science there is no prejudice, no bias, no exaggeration, no distortion and no partiality. Science enables us to see things in their own perspective. To ignore science is to encourage falsehood, hypocrisy and superstition which have been the retarding forces in the history of mankind.

Source: morungexpress