Don't be ashamed of history, Harsh Vardhan tells scientists

Defending a paper presented at the Indian Science Congress which claimed existence of aeroplanes in India thousands of years ago, Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan Thursday asked the Indian scientific community not to be ashamed of the country's ancient history.

Addressing a news conference here, the minister rejected the criticism that the Science Congress only focused on the country's ancient science history.

Claiming that India had vast knowledge in all fields, he said even international documents mentioned about it. He said India was the most superior power in the world not only in science, but even in medicine, art, culture, commerce and anything that one can think of.

"So if a paper shares the experiences of the past and integrate them with what is happening today and what is our future goal, I think we should not mind that," Harsh Vardhan said.

The paper presented at the 102nd Indian Science Congress, which concluded in Mumbai Wednesday, claimed existence of interplanetary aircraft and airplanes in India 7,000 years ago.

The paper was presented by Captain Anand Bodas, a retired principal of a pilot training institute, and Ameya Jadhav, a college teacher. It sparked a row and the organizers also refused to share the paper with a section of media.

Harsh Vardhan said that India also has set its eye on modern science and technology by taking part in the thirty metre telescope project in Mauna Kea in Hawaii in US at a cost of Rs.1,299.8 crore.

He enlisted National Supercomputing Mission, Tsunami early warning system, cyclone prediction, torpedo recovering technology, sub surfaced ocean moored observatory in the Arctic, Inspire programme for students, decoding of wheat genome, Indigenous Rotavirus vaccine as some of the milestones of the department.

He was confident that that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for Make in India would transform India into a manufacturing hub.

"It is premature to say that the call has not enthused private sector to enter defense manufacturing sector. There is lot of enthusiasm to enter to this sector and the department of science and technology is geared up to do its bit in this sector," he said.

He quoted a report from Brookings Institution that Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata and Pune are among the top 10 cities worldwide that contribute intellectually talented students.

The minister said the country is trying to go 'absolutely digital' under the concept of 'Digital India' promoted by Modi.

The minister said despite the fall in oil prices, the department will continue to focus on research in renewable resources of energy particularly solar power.