• Kaushik Ghosh

Nehru’s interaction with the scientists started in 1930s. Soon the connection between scientists and other political leaders established. But until they became ministers they were unable to help scientific leaders in their programmes. Nehru was the most important and central figure in extending support towards the scientific leaders. M.N. Saha was the first among the scientists who developed affinity with Nehru. Saha introduced Bhatnagar with Nehru. In 1938 Saha invited Nehru to preside over the symposium on ‘Power Supply.’ Thereafter Nehru attended various annual sessions of Indian Science Congress and other bodies. His presence in these occasion and his speeches influenced people to realize the importance of S&T in Indian devolvement. In 3 January 1947 on the verge of independence Nehru presided over the 34th Session of the Indian Science Congress at Delhi. In his presidential address Nehru emphasized on the role of science in the future independent India. He stressed on the ‘international outlook’ of science. Nehru strongly believed in the power of science which could bring about ‘a radical change in the direction of allowing the whole community to develop.’ He argued that Indian problem of poverty, energy, socio-economic development, self-sufficiency and rapid industrialization would be definitely solved by the planned development with the help of modern science because ‘development is not going to take place in an isolated way; it must be coordinated, it must be planned and it must be related. Unless this is do, you cannot go far.’ Echoing the ‘Social Functions of Science’ he argued that in independent India for the national reconstruction the objectives of science ‘must be to remove the ills of community.’ He argued that science could not be divorced from social and political happenings and from the economic structure of the world. He firmly believed that the only right approach to the world problems and Indian national problems was ‘the approach of science’ and with the help of ‘the method and spirit of science’ India could ultimately solve her problems. He assured the scientists that the Congress led Government India at that time and in future was ‘intensely interested’ in Indian scientific development and they should ‘do everything’ in their power to encourage scientific research. He invited the scientists to think for the national reconstruction of India and fight as a ‘crusader of peace in India and the world and international cooperation for peace and progress.’ He reminded the gathering that Indian science could not go very far in isolation. Therefore he stressed on the need of establishing ‘intimate contact’ and cooperation ‘with the world of science.’ Nehru emphasized on the need of utilizing scientific talents in India. He added ‘we have tapped only less than one percent of our talent’ and if five percent of this talent could be utilized in future India would have a host of scientists.

Nehruvian Science: Nehru- The Leader of Scientific ‘Temper’

"Nehruvian Science: Nehru- The Leader of Scientific ‘Temper’", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no.1544-1559, May-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905T26.pdf

"Nehruvian Science: Nehru- The Leader of Scientific ‘Temper’", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no. pp1544-1559, May-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905T26.pdf