Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (AF)

Mangalore, Jan 18: The 24th TA memorial lecture on ‘Learning to Live with Science and Technology’ organised by TA Pai Management Institute, Manipal, was held at Hotel Valley View on Wednesday January 17.

Delivering the lecture, International Astronomical Union, Cosmology Commission former president Prof Jayavanth V Narlikar stressed on the need to move away from superstitions and inculcate a sense of scientific temper in the society.

He gave the examples of the rising acceptance of trends like Vaastushastra and Feng Shui coupled with the growing dependence on godmen despite their rejection by science.

Insisting that astrology was not the only superstition, he, however, criticised the UGC’s move to consider Vedic Astrology as subject of study. He said that though UGC used the term ‘Vedic’ astrology has its origins from Greece and Babylon, and not from the Vedic era.

He lamented that science has not had the attention it deserves from the media. He called upon journalists to take up investigative journalism regarding science facts and myths.

He also entreated the public to develop scientific temper and said that people who have knowledge of the science should not shy away from sharing it.

Among those present were Manipal Academy of General Education registrar K K Pai and Institute director Prof Nagabrahmam.