A society manipulated by markets does not thrive for long: M. M. Joshi

Eminent parliamentarian, former cabinet minister, scholar and scientist Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi has cautioned society against being manipulated by market forces, warning that such communities don't thrive for long.

In an address on 'Vigyan aur Sanskriti' (Science and Culture) delivered recently on the occasion of the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture 2014, Dr. Joshi said, "We are all driven by what information technology and communication (ICT) wants us to see and believe. Today society is greatly influenced by this new age scientific invention which is regulating us, and eventually, we are being driven by the market forces."

As far as the confluence of science and society is concerned, Dr. Joshi emphasized on family values and sought to highlight the difference in thinking between the West and India.

Referring to the West, he said, "Woh kehte hain vishwa ek bazaar hai (They (West) say the World is a Market), hum kehte hain vishwa ek parivar hai..." (We (India) the World is a Family).

Paying tribute to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the former HRD Minister hailed the former as "a saint in Indian politics".

In his simple yet evocative language, Dr. Joshi encapsulated the importance of family and how it defies all scientific concepts. He quoted many eminent scholars, thinkers and scientists who have given their individual perspective towards society at large.

He made a special mention of philosophers like Rousseau, Rene Descartes, Sir Issac Newton and Sir Francis Bacon. He spoke on different milestones of science like the discovery of the wheel and how they influenced our culture.

He also highlighted the fact that Sanskriti was not conceived or defined in the jungle by some Mahatma nor science came out from laboratory. Both, he said, are inter-related and interdependent in nature.

The lecture series has been organized annually by All India Radio since 1969.

This year's lecture will be broadcast today at 9.30 p.m. on AIR's national hook up as part of the 130th birth anniversary celebrations of India's first president.