Governor Rajendra Arlekar made a compelling case for embracing a scientific lifestyle deeply connected to India's indigenous traditions, cautioning against the blind imitation of Western models. He delivered this message while inaugurating the 32nd Swadeshi Science Congress and a national seminar in Kozhikode on Wednesday.
Rooting Progress in Indigenous Wisdom
The event, titled 'Transformative Science and Technology Education for Viksit Bharat', was jointly organized by the Central University of Kerala (CUK) and the Swadeshi Science Movement–Kerala at the Periya Campus. Arlekar emphasized that a scientific lifestyle is the urgent need of the hour. He pointed out that India historically practiced a balanced way of life that nurtured both body and mind, leading to good health and longevity.
"Many of our contemporary problems, including the alarming rise in lifestyle diseases, originate from abandoning this scientific approach to living," Arlekar noted. He specifically highlighted detrimental changes in food habits as a key factor. The Governor asserted that reviving indigenous practices is essential for achieving sustainable societal well-being, rather than copying foreign lifestyles.
Universities as Cradles of Service and Science
Presiding over the function, CUK Vice-Chancellor Siddu P Algur outlined the broader role of educational institutions. He stated that universities must foster not just technical skills in the youth but also a profound sense of service, social responsibility, and national commitment.
Algur explained that the Swadeshi Science Congress underscores the critical importance of integrating Indian knowledge systems with modern science and technology. This fusion, he believes, is vital to tackle emerging challenges and propel India towards its goal of becoming a developed nation.
Honouring Scientific Contributions
The ceremony also included the presentation of awards to distinguished scientists. Governor Arlekar conferred the Swadeshi Sastra Puraskar upon two eminent figures:
- Chandrabhas Narayana, former director of the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology.
- T M Balakrishnan Nair, director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services.
The Swadeshi Puraskar was awarded to VPN Nampoori, a former professor at Cochin University of Science and Technology. Additionally, faculty members of CUK received research project awards in recognition of their multidisciplinary projects with significant social impact.
The congress served as a significant platform reinforcing the call for a self-reliant, culturally-grounded scientific paradigm to build a resilient and developed India.
