I pity those questioning science tradition of India says Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik on Wednesday said the controversy over claims of scientific advances in ancient India was unnecessary as a flourishing tradition of scientific endeavour covering all the major areas of human knowledge and activities existed in the country.

The claims made by some speakers on ancient aviation and surgery during the 102nd Indian Science Congress had created a controversy.

Delivering the valedictory address at Congress in Mumbai, Naik said ancient Indians had made great advances in astrology, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, architecture, physics and chemistry. 

"I pity those who are ashamed of our history. In fact, we should be proud of the fact that what we knew a few thousand years earlier became a knowledge base for the world later. Our great teachers like Panini, Charak, Sushrut, Dhanvantari, Varah Mihir, Arya Bhhatta should be a matter of pride for us...Urban settlements of Harappa speak of existence of civil engineering and architecture. It was in India that the concept of zero as number was developed. A compendium was made on medical principles and practises in the form of Charaka-samahita, advances were made in metallurgy," he said.

The former union minister said that ISC should have sessions on 'Yogic sciences' and Vedic sciences. Vedic mathematics is already recognised the world over for its accuracy and simplicity, he claimed. He also called for interaction between the scientist community and the general public. Apart from working on cutting-edge technologies, scientists should find low-cost, easy to implement technological solutions, he said