'Tendency in country of hesitating to feel about nation's

Noting a tendency in the country of hesitating to feel about the nation's greatness and ancient wisdom, Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan today said India's traditional knowledge and its scientists have made valuable contributions to society.

"...In our country, we sometimes hesitate to feel about our greatness and ancient wisdom," he said and recalled a book written long ago about what foreigners had said about the greatness of India.

He was speaking at the 'National Conference on Bhumi Suposhan approach and practises to enrich soil for sustainable agriculture organised by Eklavya Foundation and others here.

The minister recalled that a top official of the WHO, who was a doctor of modern system of medicine, had hailed the strength of India's traditional medicine, Ayurveda, the countrys medicinal plants and their usefulness.

Patanjali Yoga was described as very effective way to achieve good health at the international level many years ago even before it attained its current popularity, he said.

Marconi's grandson had hailed renowned Indian scientist J C Bose for his pioneering work in wireless communication, he said.

Quoting from a handwritten letter written by Marconis grandson at the Bose centre in Kolkata, he said, "I dont remember his (Marconis grandson) exact sentence, it is in English."