Mumbai: Braving the rain, scientists, researchers, teachers, and students gathered at August Kranti Maidan on Wednesday for the India March for Science against ‘a rising wave of unscientific beliefs and religious bigotry’.
The march ended at Girgaum chowpatty.
They also demanded that funding for education be increased to 10% of the GDP, and for scientific and technological research to 3%.
“The objective is to create awareness that the future of the country is based on science. All major breakthroughs in human history have come through science. But unfortunately, a lot of non-scientific things are being introduced these days,” said Nayamk Vahla, Professor, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. He voiced concern over the dwindling government support to scientific research.
S.G. Dani, Distinguished Professor, Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, said the youth should be clearly told the difference between science and fiction. “We are not against ancient discoveries. But ancient science should be viewed through the prism of modern science. So, it is important to ensure that the education system imparts ideas that are supported by scientific evidence.”
Participants carried placards with messages like ‘Don’t bury your conscience under con science’, ‘Don’t back-stab science’, ‘Science! Not silence’, ‘Always ask for evidence’, and ‘Science belongs to everyone’.
Scientist M. Krishnan said, “Fastest uplift of mankind has been possible by scientific practices. Aim of education should be to open up the mind.”
The participants sought an end to propagation of unscientific, obscurantist ideas and religious intolerance, and developing scientific temper, human values and spirit of inquiry in conformance with Article 51A of the Constitution.
“It is painful to see that financial support to even premier institutions like IITs, NITs, and IISERs has been slashed. Universities are facing shortage of funds to support research,” said a student.
