On Technology Day, a reminder: science has always aimed to improve people’s lives
In 1939, JD Bernal wrote an influential book, The Social Function of Science. Bernal was a polymath, a Marxist and an influential thinker. Quoting his biographer, Andrew Brown, Bernal stated: “…scientists should not be content to pursue their intellectual calling in isolation.” In fact, Bernal’s view was that the pursuit of science has continually advanced the frontiers of knowledge, but the applications of this knowledge also have a profound impact on the lives of humanity. It is well accepted that applications of knowledge and the scientific method have transformed human lives like never before. They continue to do so in current times at a rapid pace. Readers of this article will agree that the changes during our lifetimes have been incredible due to continuous technological progress. There is no doubt that technological advances have led to a great improvement in the quality of human life.
Historically, countries under colonial occupation were denied the benefits of the technological revolution unleashed in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, in countries like India, where science and technology continued to be the backbone of social and economic progress, there were significant improvements in human development after independence. Three iconic technological demonstrations of India’s capabilities took place on May 11, 1998: A series of nuclear tests at Pokhran, the Trishul missile test and the successful indigenous Hansa flight. In recognition of these demonstrations, the then Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, declared May 11 as National Technology Day.
Technological achievements in niche areas often attract great public interest for several reasons. Some recent developments, like the landing of Chandrayan-3, which firmly placed India in the league of nations with advanced space technologies, or the Surya Tilak based on simple principles of science and engineering, have been observed and admired by millions of people for different reasons. . These really deserve to be celebrated. However, similar achievements in improving the quality of life of ordinary people appear to be incremental and often escape public attention.
One of the main functions of science and technology has been to improve people’s living conditions. Recognizing this, Niti Aayog has identified 108 Aspiring Districts in the country and has been focusing on specific interventions in these locations. The Aspirational District program anchored by Niti Aayog since 2018 has been transformative in improving the living conditions of millions of people. A successful example of applying science and technology in this regard was Nowrangpur district in Odisha, the lowest ranked district when the Aspirational District program was launched. Various R&D organizations such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have joined hands in implementing S&T-based interventions in the district. These include promoting freshwater aquaculture, educating farmers on sustainable agricultural practices, crop diversification – including essential oils, aromatic plants and tuber crops – rainwater harvesting, promoting smoke-free chulhas using biofuels , the installation of biomass briquettes from agricultural waste and the local development of entrepreneurship in food processing. These are based on impressive technologies and have led to a significant improvement in the lives of people in the district. Consequently, the district has steadily risen in the rankings of aspirational districts.
The social function of science and technology has been, for millennia, the transformation of people’s lives. Often, the achievements of the underlying science, or its engineering, do not appear to be groundbreaking, but their impact on the public is tremendous. It is this impact and the public celebration of technological achievements that motivate scientists and engineers. However, the apparent conflict in the common public perception that deep science does not lead to the transformation of human lives is misguided. Quoting a UNESCO document written more than 70 years ago: “the discussion about the social impact and social function of science focuses mainly on the material and technological aspects. This need not harm the intellectual progress of science, since even from the most material point of view fundamental research pays the greatest dividends.” (‘Impact of Science on Society’, UNESCO, 1950).
The writer is former Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Government of India and Distinguished Professor, Center for Bioinformatics, Savitribai Phule Pune University
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First uploaded in: 05/11/2024 at 1:58 pm IST
