Latest news with #Aryabhatta
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Free speech, democracy, and the epidemic of hurt feelings
Muktabhimani mukto hibadho baddhabhimanyapi | Kivdanteeh satyeyamya matih sa gatirbhavet || (Freedom is the function of feeling free; the bondage of feeling bound.) It's rightly proclaimed that you are the product of what you think. Ashtavakra Gita, one of the founding texts of Indian philosophy, underscores the importance of freedom in these lines. Freedom manifests itself only when the subject believes in her ability to be free. Unfortunately, many recent events have negated this foundational idea of human endeavour. Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested for a social media post expressing his thoughts on the duplicitous attitudes surrounding the Operation Sindoor debate. The oral observations of the Supreme Court, while granting him bail, suggested that he indulged in 'politics' through this post, which contained some words that 'have double meaning'. It appears a little incongruent that an author is accused of indulging in politics when governments, past and present, have repeatedly proclaimed that not just indulging in politics but even critiquing and questioning the government is a sign of India's healthy democracy. How has politics suddenly become anathema? Politics, or the relationship between the governing and the governed, is the central point of Indian philosophy — classical to modern. In the realm of metaphysics, it is the negotiation between the nature of truth and those seeking it, of which the Ashtavakra Gita is an example. Politics exists in spiritual and mystical spaces as a dialogue between beliefs and believers. The Bhagavad Gita exemplifies this. In the physical space of the ordinariness of life, there is realpolitik, the interlocution of pragmatism and populism. Politics permeates every aspect of the living and the dead. Politics is the oxygen of academic life, irrespective of the discipline. It is a fallacy, a dangerous one at that, that only the social sciences indulge in politics. From Aryabhatta's exposition of the relativity of motion, which deals with perspective and illusion, to Albert Einstein's dilemma about the destructive potential of science, even the purest apolitical sciences are firmly ensconced in the political framework. The process of seeking and disseminating knowledge is dependent on the intersections of similar and contradictory ideas. An academic operates within and creates a space where multivalent thoughts find expression. The Socratic dialogues of Greece and the Shastraarth tradition of classical Indian pedagogy inform us about the necessity of a thought space where ideas are shared, discussed, and accepted or rejected. Therefore, if an academic will not indulge in politics, a stirring of the spirit of enquiry, who else will? But this is not about Mahmudabad or any one individual. The shutting of spaces that hold a carnival of ideas precedes a crisis of knowledge and progress. The snuffing of the flame of questioning can only herald dark times ahead. In societies where freedom of thought and expression comes with caveats, intellectual growth stunts. Those who take pride in our philosophical roots based on samgacchadhvam, samvadadhvam (coming together for a harmonious exchange of views) ought to feel uncomfortable with the rise in coercive action to silence those we disagree with. The legal aspects of the limits to freedom of speech aside, shouldn't there be a paradigm shift in assessing what speech is harmful enough to be gagged? If politics is dangerous per se, whither democracy? The government expects the youth to be part of India's growth story but is wary of exposing them to definitions of politics that differ from its own. What greatness has evolved in echo chambers? We can only raise prejudiced minds there. Insecure, easily hurt minds that will be unwilling to 'give ground even on unimportant disagreements', in the words of Christopher Hitchens. In the ongoing clash of politics, the epidemic of 'hurt feelings/sentiments' has spread unchecked, often getting a shot in the arm through criminal cases and violent actions against the speaker. Hurt feelings and damaging words should meet each other in civil court, where they can litigate their heart out. This is still in keeping with the tradition of exchanging ideas. Criminalising speech that has, as yet, posed no imminent danger to public order or instigated violence is akin to punishing a thought crime in George Orwell's 1984. Nishtha Gautam is an author and academician. The views expressed are personal. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
NCERT head takes stock of science and technology in India while recalling Pokhran-II
India celebrates May 11 as National Technology Day in remembrance of the momentous occasion when we became a nuclear power state by conducting the Pokhran-II tests in 1998. This event not only conferred nuclear status on India but also celebrated the achievement of scientific advancement, indigenous innovation, and technological self-reliance. Under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (at that time, he was Chief Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister Office), this occasion was a reflection of India's determination to become a respected technological giant in the world. Yet this day has its importance beyond that one occasion. It is a time to sit back and ponder over the extent of India's legacy in science and technology, achievements made since then, and how India ventures towards a futuristic and self-reliant status for Viksit Bharat - 2047. Since ancient times, knowledge has thrived in this Bharat. Technological wisdom has been one of the significant cornerstones of India's cultural and cosmological life since the earliest times. Saraswati-Sindhu civilization is an example; it offered cities with excellent planning so that, even today, they appear as engineering marvels because of their superior water management and drainage systems. An ancient text like the Sushruta Samhita affirms the saga of advanced surgical and medical knowledge. Rishi Charaka, the physician par excellence of ancient times, laid the foundation of Ayurveda. India gave the concepts of zero and Algebra, Trigonometry, and accurate observations of planetary movements to the world, and these are credited to Aryabhatta, Bhaskara-II, and Varahamihira. The Iron Pillar in Delhi is a testimony to India's ancient metallurgical science knowledge system. This pillar has withstood the wrath of corrosion for more than 1600 years- and addresses the fact that ancient Indian scientists possessed very advanced skills in metallurgy. Making headlines globally In the 21st century, India has transformed into a global technological powerhouse in invention and scalable application of technology for social transformation. With the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world today, India has world-renowned IT hubs like Bengaluru. India has been in the limelight ever since its success in missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Gaganyaan in space technology. Digital India has transformed and revolutionized governance and public service delivery while incorporating millions through initiatives like Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and several citizen-centric digital platforms. India is a global leader in digital public infrastructure, low-cost health innovations, renewable energy technologies, and artificial intelligence applications. With striking examples, it clearly demonstrates how digital transformation seamlessly becomes inclusive—bridging the rural-urban gap, empowering communities, and providing transparent governance. Make in India, Startup India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat schemes encouraged the creation of a more favourable environment for homegrown innovation and manufacturing capabilities across sectors. Technology providing learning materials Education remains a key component that can further technological advancement. The NCERT as an organisation devoted to school education has ensured continual change in innovative education. Therefore, since NCERT believes that technological literacy should begin from an early stage, it is actively involved in placing technology at the heart of learning-teaching and assessment, beginning from the foundational stage with the development and dissemination of an integrated mobile app, i.e. e-Jaadui Pitara which is designed to support parents and teachers of children in the age group 3-8. Initiatives for the promotion of digital literacy and computational thinking in school education and coding skills at all levels are being undertaken by the NCERT in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020. Digital platforms such as PM e-Vidya, DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing), NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement), ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society), PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), courses on SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active - Learning for Young Aspiring Minds), PRASHAST (Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool), Bharat on the Moon portal, Rashtriya Vidya Samiksha Kendra, ePathshala etc. are set to provide high-quality interactive learning materials available to students and teachers across India. These platforms provide digital textbooks, audio-visual resources, and interactive modules in various languages suited to different types of learners. NCERT is now executing training of teachers under one of the largest digital platforms, i.e., the NISHTHA programme, to use digital tools effectively, practice blended learning strategies, and create tech-enabled teachers and inclusive classrooms. Currently, NCERT is also involved in running 200 school education DTH TV channels under PM eVIDYA to address curricular issues related to regional language and ensure equitable quality education for all across the nation. Meanwhile, a new ICT curriculum includes important areas such as digital safety, productivity tools, creativity, problem-solving, and emerging technologies. NCERT is planning to introduce coding and artificial intelligence in the new curriculum, which aims to enable today's children to not only consume technology but understand and learn to build with it and use it as well. Another major effort in using technology to promote foundational literacy and numeracy utilizes games, stories, and interactive content to develop appropriate competencies among children in the age group 3–8 years. These efforts aim to engage the children of India in interventions that will build their skills for a world with endless technological possibilities. Therefore, the underlying focus for India as Viksit Bharat by 2047 is to be not only a powerful hub for scientific infrastructure and tech parks but also a nation where innovation, critical thinking, creative thinking, and ethical digital citizenship are nurtured. Skill, scale and speed The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 is to make India a developed and technology-driven nation where digital reach is ubiquitous, green energy fuels the economy, AI undergirds governance and education, space missions break new frontiers of human knowledge, and innovation underpins national development. Its mission is to make India a world leader in next-generation technologies, including quantum computing, clean hydrogen, robotics, cyber safety security, and smart manufacturing. It fundamentally places humanity and its values as an instrument of technology into inclusion, empowerment, and sustainability. During the launch of the Digital India campaign in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once mentioned that skill, scale and speed together could be achieved if we use technology at the right time and with the right speed. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam once said, 'You have to dream before your dreams can come true.' This National Technology Day, India dreams of such a future where its technological journey would be inspired by wisdom, ignited by innovation, and rooted in individual equality. From ancient astronomers to AI engineers, from gurukuls to smart classrooms, from river valley hydraulic systems to lunar landers-India's story has always been about curiosity, courage, and capability. Let us remember this day for grace in the past and rededication to the way ahead. Every child should be able to explore technology with joy. Every teacher should become a digital mentor. Every citizen must take pride in being a citizen of a country that believes in science and technology as a way of shaping destinies. In India, technology is not merely an accomplishment; it is a legacy, a commitment, and a promise for future generations. (The writer is Director, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi)
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Opinion Remembering K Kasturirangan: Man and the mission
Every time a person in one of India's 115 'backward' districts logs in to the internet or the weather office issues an alert to farmers, or people receive a timely cyclone warning, the country reaps the benefits of research by scientists at its premier space agency — ISRO. Unlike their counterparts in the US or the former Soviet Union, India's science planners did not envision the country's space programme as an extension of the country's geopolitical ambitions. India, instead, used its satellites as developmental and modernising forces. K Kasturirangan, who died on Friday at the age of 84, played a defining role in this endeavour. From being part of the team that launched India's first satellite, Aryabhatta, to preparing the groundwork for the missions to Mars and the Moon, the astrophysicist left his mark on virtually every landmark development in the country's space odyssey. As ISRO's head from 1994 to 2003, he steered the agency during a particularly challenging period when India faced strict international restrictions on access to technology. Early in his career, Kasturirangan was mentored by Vikram Sarabhai. The doyen of India's space programme believed that funding constraints shouldn't restrict India's technology ambitions. Sarabhai's mantra, 'doing more with less', was at the core of the space technology developed during Kasturirangan's leadership of the agency. After the 1998 nuclear tests, India was denied the crucial cryogenic technology without which a well-developed space programme could not be built. Kasturirangan, therefore, set great store on indigenisation. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, perfected under his stewardship of ISRO, became a reliable launcher, whose affordability attracted international clients. Sarabhai's influence was writ large on ISRO's remote sensing initiatives that aimed to provide the benefits of India's space research to farmers, fishing communities, and participants in the health and education sectors. At the same time, Kasturirangan was also a leading voice in the post-liberalisation science policy firmament which believed that India of the 1990s was poised to join the ranks of space superpowers. The fact that the missions to Mars and the Moon cost a fraction of other global interplanetary missions is a testament to the innovations of Kasturirangan's team. Kasturirangan was respected, across political circles, not just as a space scientist but as a scholar who understood the links between knowledge and society. In 2012, the UPA government chose him to head a committee to deal with the complex question of nature-human interaction in the Western Ghats. Five years later, he chaired a panel set up by the Narendra Modi government to draft the New National Education Policy. Kasturirangan will be remembered as a scholar who played a leading role in India's ascent in the global knowledge economy.
