Inaugural Address of Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition for Children 2003

Science is continuum

I am delighted to participate in the inaugural function of the 30th Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition for Children in this beautiful city of Dehradun located at the foothills of Moussorie. I congratulate the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for organizing the exhibition for children, which will certainly promote the spirit of scientific enquiry among our children. I was thinking what thoughts I should share with you during this unique occasion. I want to talk to you on the subject "Science is continuum". I would like to introduce Marvels of the Universe and the Scientific Leaders who have pioneered in different fields of science and technology in our country.

Marvels of Universe

Friends, we should note that human mind is a unique gift. You can enter into Marvels of Universe only if you have curiosity and thinking. I suggest, thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life.

- Thinking is progress.

- Non-thinking is stagnation to the individual, organization and the country.

- Thinking leads to action.

- Knowledge without action is useless and irrelevant.

- Knowledge with action brings prosperity.

Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work. Nobel Laureate Subramaniam Chandrasekar, had a quest on why most of the stars shine and a few die, which resulted in the discovery of black hole. Today, using Chandrasekar limit we can calculate how long the sun will shine, it is estimated to be 10 billion years. Similarly, Sir CV Raman looked at the sea and the sky, and questioned why the sea should be blue? This led to the birth of Raman Effect. He found that the blue colour of the sea was due to the molecular scattering of light and was not a case of reflection of the sky in water. Albert Einstein, armed with the complexity of the universe, asked the question how the universe was born. The famous equation E=mc2 arrived, which can be used for generation of electricity, nuclear medicine and also led to nuclear devices.

Scientific Leaders

All of you know, in history, any country resolves itself initially into a few stout, earnest and knowledge giants. Particularly I took interest to study lives of three scientists, as I was interested in their scientific technological leadership qualities that focused the relationship of S&T and development of the nation. In the history of India, there may be many but I was very close to these three great personalities in one way or other. They are founders of three great institutions. I worked in two of the institutions directly and one in partnership. Dr DS Kothari, a Professor in Delhi University was an outstanding Physicist and also an Astrophysicist. He is well known for ionization of matter by pressure in cold compact objects like planets. This theory is complementary to epoch making theory of thermal ionization of his guru Dr Meghnad Saha. Dr DS Kothari set a scientific tradition in Indian defence tasks when he became Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister in 1948. The first thing he did was to establish the Defence Science Centre to do research in electronic material, nuclear medicine and ballistic science. He is considered as the architect of defence science in India. His race continued and followed up with momentum working and contributing in the areas of strategic systems, electronic warfare systems, armaments and life sciences.

Now, let me discuss about Homi Jehangir Bhabha . He did research in theoretical physics in Cambridge University. During 1930-1939, Homi Bhabha carried out research relating to cosmic radiation. In 1939, he joined Sir CV Raman in IISc Bangalore. Later, he was asked to start Tata Institute of Fundamental Research with focus on nuclear science, mathematical science and established Atomic Energy Commission in 1948. Multi centers were born with his vision in nuclear science to nuclear technology, nuclear power, nuclear devices and nuclear medicine. These scientific institutions established multi technological centers, but basic science was the vital component.

Prof Vikram Sarabhai the youngest of the three worked with Sri CV Raman in experimental cosmic ray. Prof Sarabhai established Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad with Space research as focus. In later years he become the Director of Space S&T Centre. The SSTC (1963) started with launching sounding rockets for space atmospheric research. His vision transformed into what is now the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with multiple space technology centers. These centers are responsible for development and leading to launch of PSLV in the sun synchronous orbit. And this year, you have witnessed launching of GSLV in the geo-synchronous orbit with communication satellite.

Friends now you have heard the quest of various scientific leaders leading to discovery and also seen how three scientists established the space research and space technology centers, atomic energy establishments and Defence Research and Development Organisation establishments. So you as young students should have a big mission like our great scientists and work hard with perseverance and you will succeed to become Scientists, Technologists and great leaders. When you complete your education and enter into the theatre of opportunities, you will find two areas of Science and Technology very predominantly occupying the national scene. One is to identify new water resources and its management; the other is to have a clean and renewable energy. Technologies connected with solar energy for the electricity generation and distribution will be one of the important needs. The other will be using the solar power converting seawater into potable water. There are tremendous challenges in both areas.

Desalination of Sea Water

Water is progressively becoming a scarce commodity. It costs energy and money to bring water from distance sources. Networking of rivers may provide a lasting solution to this problem. In addition, the coastal areas can work for desalination of seawater for getting assured supply of potable water through out the year. Presently in many countries seawater desalination is taking place using fossil fuels as energy source. India fortunately is blessed with sunshine all over the year. We should be able to develop seawater desalination plants using solar energy, which will provide solutions to both problems of potable water and augment the energy needs of the nation. The main Science and Technological challenge will be increasing the efficiency of the silicon cells. Galium Arsenide cells may give the higher efficiency; tremendous amount of scientific work is required to find a solution for this. If we achieve, this will be a cost effective solution for both energy and water also it will prevent atmospheric pollution.

Energy for future generations

The era of wood and biomass is almost nearing its end. So to the age of oil and natural gas would soon be over even within the next few decades. Massive burning of the remaining reserves of coal would surely lead the world in ecological problems. Nuclear power especially a breakthrough in nuclear fusion may be a path. But sustainable economic development and perennial sources of clean energy that meets the needs of the planet earth's environment and ecology is the only massive use of the solar energy.

Availability of high quality uninterrupted power should be ensured at an affordable price, which is key to economic growth. The existing capacity of about 100 thousand Megawatts would need tripling by the year 2020. To achieve it, apart from hydel, thermal and nuclear power systems, we need to give thrust on sustainable energy resources like biomass, wind and solar farms of 800 to 1000 MW capacity and efficient transmission and distribution.

Indomitable Spirit

A nation is great, because how its people thing big. Particularly the young population of India, definitely have to have a big aim, small aim is a crime. I wish you all to excel in your studies and become Doctors, Engineers, Scientists and above all the best human beings with traditional value system and societal care. The challenge in the mission of the developed India calls for an important, cohesive and focused efforts of the young. For success in any mission what we need is indomitable spirit. Let us study the characteristics of indomitable spirit. It has two components. The first component is that there must be a Vision leading to higher goals of achievement. I would like to recall a couplet from Thirukkural by the Poet Saint Thiruvalluvar written 2200 years ago.

Quote:

It means that whatever may be the depth of the river or lake or pond, whatever may be the condition of the water, the lilly flower always comes out and blossoms. Similarly, if there is a definite determination to achieve a goal even if it is mountainous problems, he or she succeed.

Many of us have gone through large programmes and projects. We would have experienced that success is not in sight and there are many hurdles. The same poet reminds us at this point of time through another couplet:

It means successful leaders can never be defeated by problems. They become master of the situation and defeat the problems. I consider these two Thirukkurals characterize the indomitable spirit. I am sure you all the young who have assembled here will rise to the occasion and become leaders in multiple areas. Think and practice indomitable spirit to succeed.

Conclusion

Today progress of economy of agriculture, industry and service sector is in the ascent phase. We may do well in the coming years and increase the GDP to 8% as planned in the 10th Five-year plan. Particularly, Pharma industries export value is expected to reach Rs. 12,000 crores by 2005 from the present export value of Rs. 6000 crores, Indian Software export reached Rs. 28,350 crores last year (2001-2002) and is expected to rise 35,000 crores this year (2002-2003). This progress has resulted out of science leading to technology in the last few decades. To have competitiveness in the next few decades, we have to invest in the knowledge and work in Science and Technology to compete in the Biotechnology, Information Technology, Space Technology and many fields leading to knowledge products. For the young Scientists and Engineers, there is an exciting opportunity in front of you; I am sure you will participate in the challenges.

I wish you all success.