Scientific Temper: Necessity and not an Option

A rational individual who believes in logic, reasoning and discards supernatural ideas is said to possess scientific temper. Scientific temper is essential for eradicating the evils of casteism, orthodoxy, superstition and subjugation of women from our society. For promoting scientific temper in our nation, it is important that school curriculums are designed to inculcate rational and objective outlook in children right from early childhood. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had the foresight that only establishment of scientific temper would lead to the industrial and technological advancement of our country. He was the inspiration behind adoption of the National Science Policy and establishment of an organisation like the Center for Scientific and Industrial Research. The government has developed programmes, such as the Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science, the National Science Day and the Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan, which are aimed at identifying and nurturing young minds with scientific temper. In conclusion, science and religion should not be viewed as opposites, but we should scrutinize both these concepts with a holistic view.