By Dr Anand Kumar Srivastava
“Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch that illuminates the world.” – Louis Pasteur
“Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” – Carl Sagan.
It is said that science helps us understand, connect and live harmoniously. We break the barriers to illuminate darkness, fostering compassion and world peace. UNESCO decided to proclaim World Science Day for Peace and Sustainable Development on 10 November every year. The idea is to celebrate and acknowledge the tireless efforts of numerous scientists who have been working hard for centuries to make life more comfortable and pleasant for human beings. Scientists have been working vigorously to make us more aware of the wonders and understandings of science. Scientists have played a significant role in bridging the gap between science and society. Whatever scientists dream or pursue is to make human life more accomplished and cheerful. Today, scientists are working on almost all important issues that influence our day to day life. In other words, the quality of life that we are enjoying today is because of the research and innovative spirit of science.
Almost all endeavours by scientists are to foster sustainable development for peace and prosperity in the world. Every year this day is celebrated with a theme so that common people can focus or channel their efforts in the right direction. The theme for 2025 is “Unleash Your Inner Scientist”. Every human being has many qualities which remain hidden or need encouragement for their expression. In the same way, we all appreciate and admire the contribution of science to the development and progress of society.
Today, scientists are working on all important issues that influence our lives like climate change, eradication of poverty, quality and suitable job-oriented education, economic growth and development of infrastructure, preservation of natural resources, generating affordable and clean energy and protection of marine life, etc. In fact, there is no area of human interest which has not been explored so far.
Now the question arises, what should be done to celebrate this crucial and important day that is so valuable for the future of our coming generations. First of all, we should engage our young generation to develop a scientific temper and spirit of innovation. The educational institutions should organize exhibitions, seminars, discussions and lectures to involve most of the students. It is crucial to kindle the spirit of curiosity and innovation in the younger generation.
Now human life expectancy has enhanced considerably, and the credit goes to the tireless research and experiments carried out by millions of scientists and doctors. The saga of such a brilliant journey should always continue, and the younger generation should be more and more engaged in order to conquer fatal and life- threatening diseases in future. Many diseases like polio and smallpox have been almost eradicated. The credit goes to scientists who continue to work endlessly.
In the same way, science has done wonders in the fields of aviation, transport and communication. There was a time when going abroad was the privilege of only the elite class, but now common people can travel to different countries for various purposes. Similarly, there is a revolution in both land and sea travel. All this promoted human life in trade, economics and international relations transcending boundaries and building bonds.
Agriculture is another important area that matters in our lives. Science has made it possible to provide foodgrains for the ever-growing population of the world. It is the revolution in agriculture that has helped almost all nations to sustain the needs of their population. In several nations, it is still a challenge to achieve zero hunger situations.
In the most recent times, AI is approaching us with miraculous speed promising mesmerising wonders in our lives. The next century will be the time of artificial intelligence. Medicine, agriculture, war and fairs, trade, business and economics are some of the vital areas that will be influenced by AI. Some people are apprehensive that AI will overpower human intelligence. But that will never be possible because it is human intelligence that is the mother of AI. AI has never created human intelligence. It can work with precision in mechanical tasks but can never develop human qualities like love, sympathy and compassion.
Here we are talking about science for peace and sustainable development. But science has developed many nuclear and hydrogen bombs which are a threat to humanity. The point is that human avarice and acquisitiveness is behind such experiments, and we cannot blame science for this. Moreover, such ammunitions are a deterrent to war conditions between two nuclear powers. Human intelligence and wisdom should abstain from taking such a devastating decision. Nuclear capabilities should be used for many positive purposes and the future of mankind. Knowledge is power and the use of knowledge depends on our wisdom.
We reach the conclusion that science has taken humanity a long way but still many milestones are to be achieved. Development and research through science is a continuous and endless process. It makes our lives more comfortable and liveable. Today, AI is the latest thing, but we don’t know how many such wonders are in store that will be revealed to humanity in the future. We have to continue our research to comprehend the universe which is still partially explored. We should wish for a world where science and peace should go hand in hand to make our lives full of compassion and understanding. Real progress should combine scientific growth with peace and development.
On World Science Day for Peace and Development, this quote from Pope Francis reminds us that faith and science must be united in the service of humanity.
“Let us make science an instrument of hope and development for all!”
(Dr AK Srivastava is Principal, DAV Inter College, Dehradun.)
