Tributes paid to Dr Narendra Dabholkar on his martyrdom anniversary and to eminent scientist Dr M.P. Parameswaran
Shimla, August 21: The Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti observed National Scientific Temper Day at the Rotary Town Hall in Shimla to mark the martyrdom anniversary of social reformer and prominent rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar.
Former General Secretary of the All India People’s Science Network and mechanical engineer Deep Bhattacharya attended the programme as the chief guest.
Paying tribute to Dr Dabholkar, Bhattacharya said the noted social reformer was assassinated in 2013 for his campaign against superstition, blind faith, social orthodoxy and unscientific thinking. He said Dabholkar had dedicated his life to encouraging people to think on the basis of logic, evidence and scientific reasoning.
Bhattacharya also expressed concern over contemporary challenges facing the education and health sectors, saying the promotion of unscientific thinking posed a major challenge before the people’s science movement. He stressed the need to strengthen scientific temper and a proper understanding of history in education.
The programme also paid heartfelt tributes to Dr M.P. Parameswaran, founder secretary of Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, renowned thinker and scientist.
Speakers remembered Dr Parameswaran for his major contribution to strengthening the people’s science movement and connecting science, technology, development and democratic values with the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Dr Om Prakash Bhureta, General Secretary of Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, said Dr Parameswaran had given the people’s science movement a new vision and working approach. He connected science and technology with the concerns of the common people and promoted an alternative perspective on development.
“Carrying forward his ideas and work would be the true tribute to his contribution,” he said.
State Secretary of Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti Satyavan Pundir said the death of Dr Parameswaran was an irreparable loss to the people’s science and progressive movement.
He said Dr Parameswaran had dedicated his entire life to bringing science closer to ordinary people, promoting scientific thinking and strengthening the concept of alternative development.
The programme highlighted the continuing relevance of scientific temper, rational thinking and evidence-based understanding in addressing social challenges and building a progressive society.
