Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank asked the country’s budding engineers to research on subjects like the Rama Setu, the Bhagavad Gita, Sanskrit and Ayurveda with renewed interest to find the truth. On Tuesday, while speaking at the 65th convocation of IIT-Kharagpur, he said India's scientific and technical progress has a well-rooted foundation in spirituality. He also said that Sanskrit is the oldest language, appreciated the Rama Setu engineers for their work and said that he did not believe the Archaeological Survey of India when they said that there was neither historical nor scientific evidence to prove that Rama Setu was a man-made bridge.
But this was not the first time he has shown his love for Indian science and proven his belief that India was ahead of the world in ancient times. He has time and again urged that we should strive to get our alleged crown back.
In December 2014, Pokhriyal had said that “science is a dwarf in front of astrology.” He was speaking in the Parliament. “Astrology is the biggest science. It is, in fact, above science. We should promote it," he added. What he added next was explosive — he claimed that a Hindu sage — Kanad — had conducted nuclear tests 100,000 years ago, in second BC.
Two weeks ago, the Union Minister had claimed that Indian scriptures mentioned the concept of gravity long before physicist Isaac Newton did. He also said Rishi Pranav was the first to discover atoms and molecules, just a week after he had claimed ancient Indian medical practitioner Charaka discovered them
He was speaking at Gyanotsav, an event organised by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliate Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas to discuss the new education policy. He appealed to the directors of the Indian Institutes of Technology and National Institutes of Technology to undertake more research on ancient Indian science. “We need to prove that all that we keep talking about like Charaka, Aryabhata, they all existed and that our scriptures mentioned the concept of gravity much before Newton discovered it,” the HRD minister said.
“Astrology is the biggest science. It is in fact above science. We should promote it,” Pokhriyal had said these words repeatedly over the years, more after he took charge of the MHRD.
One cannot refute his claims entirely. Maybe after 100 years, we will discover texts that prove that the Pakshiraj Horses were actually aeroplanes and Ganesha did actually have plastic surgery. But till then all we can do is search for the truth. It would be great if we invest little time there and more into solving crucial issues that can help solve issues like global warming, water crisis, power shortage etc. Things that are bothering us now. I am sure the Hindu sages won't mind waiting a few more decades to be discovered.
