Attributing “relative levels of scientific development” for the inequality that exists between the developed and developing nations, Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Friday pushed for greater focus on development of science and technology. “Promotion of scientific temper is a constitutional and moral duty,” he said.
Inaugurating the 15th All-India People’s Science Congress here, Mr. Ansari underlined the need to overcome ignorance, superstition and obscurantism to make the country modern and progressive.
He attributed poverty, hunger, disease, ignorance and superstition for the present state of affairs. He said the country could become modern and progressive by injecting scientific temper among the people.
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He felt “education in a formal sense” is the only answer to address issues of superstition and obscurantism, but regretted that education alone could not make a breakthrough. The solution was to be searched in ideologies, social belief and practices that prevail in various segments of society.
Unfortunately, these have become instrumental in narrowing of the mind and cultivation of prejudices and intolerance, he said, adding they impede and even suppress the voice of rationalists.
Noted scientist C.N.R. Rao urged the governments to recruit teachers.
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