Jaipur: Prajna Pravah National Coordinator J Nandakumar’s book ‘National Selfhood in Science: A Saga of Struggles by Bharatiya Scientists to Counter Colonial Apartheid’ was discussed on the final day of the Jaipur Literature Festival held at Char Bagh.
Introducing the central themes of the book, J Nandakumar said that every sector of society had played its own role in Bharat’s freedom struggle. He stressed that the struggle was not confined to politics alone. According to him, science, art, literature, and journalism were all active participants in shaping the national movement. If one looks beyond the Upanishadic period and ancient history, he said, it becomes clear that even during British rule, Indian scientists continued to produce world-class research. Nandakumar pointed out that figures such as Jagadish Chandra Bose and Meghnad Saha conducted pioneering work in their respective fields despite severe constraints under colonial rule. He said that the British administration failed to recognise Bharat’s historic achievements in astronomy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, medicine, and agriculture. More disturbingly, he added, many colonial-minded Indians also failed to acknowledge these contributions. Instead, there was a deliberate attempt to portray indigenous research as superstitious, false, and unscientific, he said.
Nandakumar argued that, time and again, research carried out by Indian scholars had been proven to be of lasting value to humanity. The civilisational foundations of Bharatiya science, he noted, were rooted in ethical responsibility and social welfare.
Referring to the Covid-19 pandemic, Nandakumar said that Bharat had supplied vaccines free of cost to nearly 100 countries, reflecting the same spirit of universal welfare. He recalled that the motto ‘Sarve Santu Niramaya’ was inscribed on the aircraft used for vaccine distribution, symbolising India’s commitment to global well-being.
He said that even after 75 years of Independence, the country was steadily moving towards the goal of building a distinctive system of governance rooted in its own intellectual traditions. Future generations, he added, must recognise that Bharatiya science is not merely about technological progress but embodies a deeper commitment to the welfare of all humanity.
Published by Indus Scrolls Publications, the book has been brought out as part of its focus on Indian intellectual and civilisational studies. It is forwarded by noted social worker and senior functionary of the RSS Suresh Soni ji, who underlines the relevance of reclaiming India’s scientific heritage.
