Promoting Scientific Temper and Observing ‘National Scientific Temper
Day on 20th August
Respected Colleague,
We
are writing to you on behalf of the All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN)
and Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti(MANS). AIPSN is a network of
people’s science organizations working in various states of India for the
promotion of scientific temper, scientific humanism, and the public
understanding of science. MANS is an organized movement dedicated to
fighting superstitions and promoting scientific temper in India, particularly
in the state of Maharashtra, founded in 1989 by Shaheed Dr. Narendra Dabholkar.
We have initiated the
observance of ‘National Scientific Temper Day on the 20th
August every year, which commemorates the day Dr Narendra Dabholkar was
martyred in 2013. We appeal to you to join in this endeavour.
We have also initiated the following
concomitant statement, which has been endorsed by Dr. Jayant Naralikar, Dr. Naresh Dadhich, Dr.
Spenta Wadia, Dr. VidyanandNanjundiah, Dr. K. Subramaniyam and many other
scientists and educationists:
“As citizens of India as
well as part of the world community of the 21st Century, it is one of our
fundamental and civilizational duties “to develop and promote the scientific
temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;” as per article 51 A(h)
of our Constitution.
We believe that this task
has not received the attention and commitment it deserves and calls for, and on
the contrary, there is a very worrying and disturbing atmosphere being whipped
in the opposite direction. There is therefore an urgent need to take it up with
much vigour and enthusiasm in a systematic and sustained manner at all levels.
The role of schools, colleges and the educational institutions is particularly
important and critical in taking it forward. Promoting scientific temper is not
only the work of scientists, but of all citizens in Indian democracy.
Dr. Narendra Dabholkar was
one of the foremost proponents of scientific temper in recent times. Through
his lectures and writings, he spread the message of scientific temper among all
sections of society. It is therefore particularly appropriate that 20th August,
the day on which he was martyred should be observed as ‘National Scientific
Temper Day’ all over the country.
We the undersigned, endorse
and support this move, and appeal to all informed and concerned people as well
as all educational institutions, organizations to join in this collective
national endeavour for observing ‘National Scientific Temper Day’, towards
building an India of reason and humanity with well informed and rationally
empowered citizens.”
We hope to observe National Scientific Temper
Day on a broad and massive scale. This cannot happen without the widespread
collective effort of many like-minded organizations, school managements,
teachers and individuals. We send this
appeal to you to join this broad collective effort in view of the committed
work that you/your organization is doing for the promotion of constitutional
values.
We also request you to join this national movement
for observing National Scientific Temper Day 0n Aug.20th and by
sending a brief endorsement email with your details to gsaipsn@gmail.com
and spread it to your colleagues.
With best wishes,
Dr. Sabyasachi Chatterjee Avinash
Patil
President, Executive
President
AIPSN. MA
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