Scientists and technologists can be agents of change

(Mains GS 3 : Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology.)

Context:

• This year is the birth centenary year of Dr. Y. Nayudamma, a Padma Shri recipient, noted scientist, former Director of the Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai and former Director-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

About him:

• Nayudamma was a scientist of the people and for the people having a deep concern for the poor in rural India and firmly believed that technology was the engine of growth. 
• Nayudamma was born on 10th September 1922 into an agricultural family at Yelavarru village near Tenali in Guntur district of present day Andhra Pradesh state in India.
• His work, contributions and philosophy threw distinct light on various issues concerning science and technology as he outlined a clear set of goals and objectives and the values that should guide their progress.

Effective agents: 

• Dr. Nayudamma’s work and contributions held a mirror to various concerns and demonstrated how scientists and technologists could be effective agents of such change. 
• Dr. Nayudamma’s focuses on issues like whether science and technology should adapt to the people or people should adapt to them and what are the values that should guide and govern the pursuit of science and technology and their applications.
• He provides insight on how to contain and handle the undesirable consequences of an indiscriminate application of these powerful tools, and whose interests these tools should be serving.
• He strongly believes that science pursued in an ivory tower may not by itself serve humanity; rather it should be taken to the people in the form of effective technological tools that every person could use to solve their problems. 
• Science should be for society and technology should be driven by the needs of the people.

Enhancing the economic viability:

• As a renowned leather scientist, Dr. Nayudamma made a pioneering contribution to change the face and the nature of the tannery industry in the country. 
• The profession of collecting hides and skins of dead animals, which is pursued by some traditional communities, used to be looked down upon due to factors such as the stench and the difficult nature of work involved. 
• He reflected on how science and technology could make a difference in making this profession widely acceptable and succeeded in this by enabling the removal of the stench and improving the skills of those involved in this job. 
• He promoted leather products to improve the incomes of tannery workers and in the process, he proved that the application of science and technology could help in enhancing the economic viability of the activity to which these tools are applied, besides promoting more gainful employment.
• As a result, the leather products and leather industry have gained better public acceptance and are in great demand in international markets.
• Further, people from various communities are now involved in the leather industry, breaking traditional barriers and prejudices.

Advocated self-reliance: 

• Self-reliance was at the core of Dr. Nayudamma’s philosophy as he was of the opinion that our colonial past and western training, orientation and education have made us look to the West for the import of technology and solutions, and western remedies may not solve India’s problems, which are different and context-specific.
• He strongly advocated self-reliance in science and technology which is also the essence of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative (a vision of self-reliance) of the current Prime Minister.
• Referring to the provisions of the United Nations Charter, Dr. Nayudamma had emphasised the point of enabling all to live in dignity, have worth, equality of rights, better standards of life, security, etc. with the participation of all in national endeavours shows the underlying principle of the philosophy of ‘Sab Ka Sath-Sab Ka Vikas-Sab Ka Prayas’.

Positive nationalism:

• Dr. Nayudamma firmly believed that an individual flourishes and is at his/her best only with a sense of community participation and in an environment of collective endeavour.
• Such an ecosystem is best provided when we are guided by the spirit of nationalism; thus nationalism is a positive force for ensuring the rapid progress of our nation by realising the full potential of every individual. 

Science or the people:

• Mankind has been shaped by various ancient civilisations, examples being Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek, Chinese, and the Indus Valley.
• These civilisations have evolved since the time humans first decided to give up their nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle in favour of settling down in one place. It has been a long journey of many thousands of years until we became members of what is called the modern civilisation, with its common features and aspirations across the globe.
• The key feature of this journey has been the accumulation of bounteous knowledge and the pursuit of higher standards of living, propelled by rapid strides in the fields of science and technology.
• So much so, a human being has now to be called a ‘technological animal’, ever looking for new tools that further his growing ambitions.
• This relentless quest for better living has thrown up some serious issues about the values, the purpose, the relevance, and the consequences of a blind-folded pursuit and application of science and technology. 

Conclusion:

• Dr. Nayudamma lays stress on the point that education is not to provide relief and that it should release the inner potential of all to make everyone self-reliant and self-confident.