Interdisciplinary Studies Department Students Organize National Scientific Temper Day

Students of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department organized the National Scientific Temper Day today. The chief guest for the event was Dr. Randhir Singh Ranta, and Dr. Baldev Singh Negi addressed the gathering as the speaker. Both semester students of the department, along with other faculty members, participated in the event.
The program began with third-semester student Kamal Kishore welcoming all participants and presenting the history of the day. Kamal explained that since 2018, this day has been celebrated as National Scientific Temper Day on October 20 by the All India People Science Network and Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti to honor the contributions and sacrifices of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar. Dr. Dabholkar was assassinated in 2013 by extremists who opposed his anti-superstition stance. Kamal highlighted Dr. Dabholkar’s contributions, noting that the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS) was established by him in 1989, becoming a significant movement against superstition and social evils. His struggle for an anti-superstition law was pivotal, leading to the enactment of the “Maharashtra Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act” in 2013. Kamal emphasized that Dr. Dabholkar’s legacy continues to inspire movements for scientific temper and rationality in India and underscores the need for youth to be aware of and fight against superstition.
In his presentation, Dr. Negi stated that promoting scientific temper is a fundamental duty of every Indian citizen, as outlined in Article 51A(h) of the Constitution. Article 51A(h), part of the Constitution’s Part IV-A, aims to encourage citizens to adopt rational thinking, scientific temper, and humanism. Scientific temper refers to encouraging citizens to base decisions on rational thinking and verifiable facts and to avoid superstition. Humanism involves promoting sensitivity and equality towards humanity. The main goal of Article 51A(h) is to foster rationality and scientific thinking in society, to free people from superstition and ignorance, and to bring about positive changes in society.
Dr. Negi also noted that the National Education Policy’s Clause 11.8 includes provisions related to this. He illustrated the rise of anti-scientific temper activities in various parts of India, such as witch-hunting, communalism, superstitious practices, and attacks on rational education. He urged the youth to practice scientific temper in their daily lives and work for its promotion, fulfilling the duties enshrined in the Constitution.
All students participated in the discussion and asked questions. The seminar was successfully organized with significant contributions from third-semester MBA-Rural Development students Hanish Kaithla, Suraj, Divya, Mukul, and Piyush. In the end, Diya delivered the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to all attendees, including the chief guest and the speaker.
Kamal Kishor
8091739427
Hanish Kaithla
Diya
Mukul Sharma