Sunday Sep 22, 2024
Sunday Sep 22, 2024
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
India’s space program
As you may be aware, India has made vast strides in space research and has recorded many an achievement. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, an eminent space scientist in India, Dr. Abdul Kalam who was later to become President of India and Professor Satish Dhavan were among some of the foremost space scientists of India. They were the people who spearheaded the space program of India which has reached great heights today.
In 1962, these scientists headed by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai had to make a major break-through in India’s space program, for which they had to establish the space research station in the equatorial region. They had to find the most suitable, the most ideal site for this.
After a painstaking search, they found the ideal spot – Thumbai, in Kerala which was, indeed, in the equatorial region and was ideally suited for ionospheric research. In this locality, they discovered the ideal site to set up this space research station so vital for India’s space program. But there was a problem for Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and his fellow scientists.
"It is not the onus of the rulers or the powers that be only. People at large, everyone of us, must unerringly act rationally, logically and impartially. Sometimes, I tend to think if that the people of this country thought rationally about issues, we are grappling with now, we would not have come to this impasse
When everything is said and done, in a multiracial, multicultural society, and in a democracy, differences are often irreconcilable. And, the idea of a fully rational consensus is too tough a goal to reach. In this context, the legitimacy of a democratic society – like ours – is reflected when decisions and actions on the part of the decision makers have an impartial stand point. Both rulers and people should be sensitive, tolerant and respectful of religious, cultural and racial differences. Then only, can we realise the values of democracy, the foundation of which is unity in diversity."
On this ideal site, stood a beautiful church, called ‘St. Mary Magdalene’ Church and the Bishop’s House. This beautiful church was over 200 years old and was considered a very sacred place by the people in Thumbai. And their lives revolved around this holy place. As such, the requisition of the Church premises was unthinkable sacrilege. This locality was inhabited by thousands of fishermen who were mostly Catholic or Christian. There was no hope for Dr. Sarabhai or Dr. Abdul Kalam.
Hopelessly disappointed, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, as a last resort, met the Bishop of the Church Rev. Peter Bernard Pereira on a Saturday, and told him his predicament with a lot of trepidation, anxiety and hesitations. He asked the Bishop very respectfully, whether he could transfer the Church premises and the Bishop house to ISRO, Indian Space Research Organisation to set up a much-needed space research centre.
Having made this request, Dr. Sarabhai remained motionless with his head bowed.
What did the Bishop do? Bundled him out of the Church premises unceremoniously? No. the Bishop smiled and asked him to meet him the next day – Sunday morning – in the Sunday morning service; this is what Bishop told the congregation.
“My children, I have a famous scientist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai with me, who wants our Church and the place I live, for the work of space science and research in India. Science seeks the truth that enriches human life. The higher level of religion is spirituality. The spiritual preachers seek the help of almighty to bring peace to human mind. In short, what Vikram is doing and what I am doing are the same. Both science and spirituality seek the almighty’s blessings for human prosperity – in mind and body.” After a pause, an emotionally-moved Bishop with tears in his eyes asked the congregation, “Children, can we give them God’s abode for a scientific mission?” There was pin-drop silence for a while followed by a hearty Amen from the congregation, which made the whole Church reverberate.
Thank God, there was no ‘Kithubala Senawa’ in Thumbai modelled on the ‘senawas’ over here. If there was one, undoubtedly, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s limbs would have been broken or he would have been delivered to the other world, not in one piece either.
This was a very sensitive moment when wisdom triumphed over faith, knowledge and religious fervour. Instances are many in the long history of mankind when wisdom asserted itself over knowledge leading to progress of a country.
By the way, the first of this month marked yet another achievement of Indian Space Program when they successfully launched the ‘Polar Satellite’ launch vehicle in the presence of jubilant Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made a pitch for space diplomacy asking the scientists to build a SAARC satellite to help India’s neighbours. As far back as 1962, the collective wisdom of people of Thumbai, which prevailed over many socio-religious factors, was in fact, a giant leap which made this possible.
Knowledge and wisdom
Undoubtedly, knowledge has contributed immensely to the progress of mankind. Knowledge has also brought about destruction. Knowledge can take many forms. You can acquire knowledge in several ways, through education, information, internet and of course from experience. Intelligence is also a form of knowledge but wisdom is another proposition altogether.
The renowned Tamil epic ‘Thirukkural’ has a good description of wisdom. Wisdom is a weapon to ward off destruction. It is an inner fortress, which enemies cannot destroy.
In this context of knowledge and wisdom, I recall an incident in the days of President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Hot on the heels of launching of his ambitious ‘Janasaviya Program,’ there was a discussion about a certain assignment relating to his poverty alleviation program.
A well-known person’s name was put forward for this assignment. He thought for a while, and with a smirk on his face, said, ‘Eyata honda denumak thiyenawa eath pragnawa nehe’ (O yes, he is a very knowledgeable person but he has no wisdom). And, the assignment was given to someone else who fulfilled the task quite admirably. I am reminded of this President Premadasa’s exhortation whenever knowledgeable people and scholars make foolish decisions much to the detriment of the society and the country.
Role models
When we reflect on those unfortunate incidents of religious tensions I referred to earlier, I felt, that it would be enlightening to ponder how some men of extraordinary wisdom have looked at these issues. They are role models. These role models can help us focus on what is correct for us, as individuals as groups and of course as a nation especially, when it comes to issues like reconciliation religious and racial harmony which are so vital to our country’s socioeconomic development at this point in time.
I read some of your annual reports with interest. I quote from your annual report 2012/2013, “Our association also contributes to the general socioeconomic development of the country through various programs and activities carried out by its vibrant and dynamic executive committee with the support of the members” unquote.
"Whenever people kindle communal and religious tension in the country, over a temple or a mosque or any such issue, there is a beautiful story, that reverberates and echoes in my mind and body and this story is an eye opener to every citizen of the world. This story is the springboard for my speech which can be titled ‘Let wisdom prevail’
Undoubtedly, knowledge has contributed immensely to the progress of mankind. Knowledge has also brought about destruction. Knowledge can take many forms. You can acquire knowledge in several ways, through education, information, internet and of course from experience. Intelligence is also a form of knowledge but wisdom is another proposition altogether
If some of our rulers and political parties and people who are easily misguided by the politicians had displayed some wisdom with regard to the language and related issues, the emergence of ethnic conflict would have been avoided. For great men, religion and language are ways of making friends. For opportunists and political humbugs, religion is a fighting tool for political expediency. I am sure no one will doubt all religions strive to bring out all that is best in man – love, decency, charity, tolerance and understanding. These are qualities necessary not only for spiritual advancement of the individual but also for the wellbeing of the society"
The development or growth doesn’t simply mean building of roads or bridges. Building bridges among communities is fundamental to socioeconomic growth. One of the many factors that will put the country on the growth trajectory, to my mind, is to build on the resources represented by our young professionals like you. May be not so young, but that doesn’t matter.
So, you definitely have a role to play. You just cannot be happy being onlookers, watching the scene with detachment. You in many ways are opinion leaders. You have the capacity to shape public opinion in your own way. In this context, I thought, it will be timely and rewarding to look up to those role models who have made significant and outstanding contributions to make this world a better place to live to understand how they have looked at these issues.
I am sure you definitely have the wisdom not to look up to the run-of-the-mill politicos on these matters. These role models may have different opinions on many issues. They may have differed on systems of governments, economic models – so and so forth – but they were unanimous on one specific issue – that is, religion should not be mixed with politics and vice versa. Because that can devastate a country and wound the nation deeply.
Let us take the case of Pakistan where the Chief of the Army and the clerics enjoy greater influence in the domestic as well as foreign affairs than the President of the country.
Nelson Mandela
After all, you will agree that Nelson Mandela was a man of great extraordinary wisdom and of indomitable courage. Nelson Mandela stands out for his unparalleled wisdom and foresight for his willingness to embrace and reconcile with those who persecuted him relentlessly and put him behind bars for 27 years and the grace with which he stuck to his promise to serve only ‘one term of office’.
Considering the immense love and affection people of South Africa had for him, he would have been the President for life. He always advocated that South Africa should celebrate diversity. Intolerance of diversity resulting in tension, disharmony and rivalry would take a country down the precipice, he exhorted.
(While on this, I cannot help but wonder what Cyril Ramaphosa who worked with Mandela very closely had to say on racial, religious harmony and reconciliation, to the powers that be during his visit to Sri Lanka, last week. In 1996, when Mandela signed into law, the new South African constitution to usher in a new era of peace, harmony and prosperity, Cyril Ramaphosa was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Whatever may have said or left unsaid, Ramaphosa would have enjoyed a cup of coffee with the President. Presidential black coffee seems to have a neutralising effect on people.)
Wisdom plays a major role
If some of our rulers and political parties and people who are easily misguided by the politicians had displayed some wisdom with regard to the language and related issues, the emergence of ethnic conflict would have been avoided. For great men, religion and language are ways of making friends.
For opportunists and political humbugs, religion is a fighting tool for political expediency. I am sure no one will doubt all religions strive to bring out all that is best in man – love, decency, charity, tolerance and understanding. These are qualities necessary not only for spiritual advancement of the individual but also for the wellbeing of the society.
Lee Kwan Yew, the architect of modern and unified Singapore once said, I quote, “We can maintain the spirit of tolerance, provided the religious and secular leaders do not commit the tragic error of dragging religion into political arena or using it as a cloak for political ambitions. Once a religious creed is identified with a particular movement, then every normal and legitimate political conflict is immediately transformed into a religious conflict as well. We should guard against this danger because there are politicians who see in the exploitation of religious sentiment, a shortcut to political popularity.”
Does this ring a bell?
Mahatma Gandhi who spearheaded India’s liberation movement, devastated by the idea of partitioning of India, told Mountbatten, then the viceroy of India, ‘Don’t partition India.’ Then he begged, ‘Don’t divide India’. So desperate was he to avoid partition that he was prepared to give the Muslims the baby, instead of cutting it in half.
Place 300 million Hindus under Muslim rule, he told Mountbatten, by asking his rival Jinnah and Muslim league to form a Government. This was the extreme Gandhi was prepared to go to prevent the partitioning of India. Mountbatten was dumbfounded. There was much in Gandhi’s proposal that seems unworkable. But Mountbatten was not going to dismiss lightly any idea that might hold India together.
I cited these examples – there are many of course – to drive home the point that, in addressing some of these contentious issues, wisdom plays a major role, for wisdom entails thinking logically, rationally, impartially, learning from past experience and deriving inspiration and guidance from those role models whose wisdom has been time tested.
Act rationally, logically and impartially
But I must emphasise, that, it is not the onus of the rulers or the powers that be only. People at large, everyone of us, must unerringly act rationally, logically and impartially. Sometimes, I tend to think if that the people of this country thought rationally about issues, we are grappling with now, we would not have come to this impasse. At times, I cannot help but wonder what wisdom people exercise when they go to vote. (In lighter vein, what wisdom people of Gampaha District displayed when they voted ‘Paba’ and in the same breath, I wonder what wisdom drove that party to nominate her.)
When everything is said and done, in a multiracial, multicultural society, and in a democracy, differences are often irreconcilable. And, the idea of a fully rational consensus is too tough a goal to reach. In this context, the legitimacy of a democratic society – like ours – is reflected when decisions and actions on the part of the decision makers have an impartial stand point.
Both rulers and people should be sensitive, tolerant and respectful of religious, cultural and racial differences. Then only, can we realise the values of democracy, the foundation of which is unity in diversity.
