Science and Technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation

Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.

The modern age is known as the age of science and technology. While “Science” is the theoretical knowledge gained through observation of natural phenomenon to come up with new hypotheses about cause-effect relationship, “Technology” is the practical application of this knowledge in our day-to-day life to make life more convenient for us. Both science and technology have immense contribution towards growth and security of any nation. Recognizing the contributions of science and technology in nation-building, the Indian constitution mandates to its citizens under Article 51-A in the chapter of Fundamental Duties to develop scientific temper, humanism and spirit of enquiry.

We know that growth of a nation is measured in terms of its GDP, i.e., Gross Domestic Product. GDP refers to the money value of all goods and services produced within the boundaries of a nation during a specified period, usually a year. Every sector of the economy contributes towards GDP, viz., agricultural sector, industrial and manufacturing sector, services sector etc. Science and technology can contribute towards increased growth of each of these sectors, which in turn increases the GDP of the nation. An increased GDP reflects increased economic growth and better quality of life of its citizens.

Let us take agricultural sector first. During the years after independence, India was dependent on food aid from foreign countries to meet domestic demand. These foreign countries often attached political strings to their food aid and this did hurt national pride. Therefore, to attain self-sufficiency in foodgrains production, India decided to go in for Green Revolution. This was dependent on improved seed-water-fertiliser which a result of technological breakthrough. Green Revolution increased foodgrains production manifold and India became self-sufficient to meet domestic demand. Science and technology have also helped to increase agricultural production by way of improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, improved agricultural implements, tractors, harvesters etc. Many large scale multipurpose river valley projects after independence have made double cropping, and even multiple cropping possible in many regions. Community centers and e-enabled panchayats have helped farmers by making available to them relevant information, eg, climatic conditions, weather forecast, good practices, government initiatives and schemes etc. also post harvest interventions are helpful in helping farmers get remunerative prices of products. Such technological interventions have revolutionized agriculture and increased production.

Next comes industrial and manufacturing sector. Scientific breakthroughs ushered in industrial revolution in nineteenth century England. It replaced animal power with powers like steam, electric etc. and replaced manual labour with machines. This inproved both the quality and quantity of products and made them available within the reach of common man.this industrial revolution later spread to other countries as well. Now-a-days, we can see the application of science and technology in every sphere of  industrial and manufacturing processes and practices. Modern technological equipments have made mass production possible.

Next take the case of services sector. The most prominent example that surfaces in mind is the information technology (IT) revolution in India. This sector has significant contributions in India’s growth story. We can see the application of science and technology In all other services sectors as well like banking, insurance, transportation, tourism etc. As for example, in banking sector, core banking solutions (CBS), automated teller machines (ATM) etc have banking convenient and faster.

For the growth of all the three sectors discussed above, primary, secondary and tertiary, energy is essential for its development. Hence energy security is a natural paramount concern for any country, given its overarching influence on economic development. Economic development also ensures poverty reduction because of its trickle-down effect. Here also we can see the application of science and technology. Advancements in science and technology has made possible better imaging, drilling possible to find sources of non-renewable energy. Other contributions of science and technology to secure energy security include hydrocarbons, non-renewable energy sources, nuclear fusion etc.

To secure and sustain high growth rate of the economy of any nation, security of the nation is of significant importance. India is facing many internal security problems like naxalism, terrorism, fundamentalism, secessionism etc. Involvement of many external state and non-state actors have made the security scenario more complicated. All these can have a destabilizing effect on the economy. Here comes the question: How can science and technology be a panacea for the security of a nation? The most prominent and most controversial example that comes in mind is that of nuclear energy. It has the potential to destroy the entire human race. Other important applications of science and technology to ensure security of a nation include improved surveillance, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles etc.

But the story isn’t all positive. Science and technology, which was supposed to be the panacea for the growth and development of any nation have led to many undesirable consequences. Ever increasing application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides have degraded the quality of soil and its water holding capacity. Large scale multipurpose river valley projects have displaced millions of people and deprived them of their livelihood resources. They were never satisfactorily compensated. Large scale industries have  polluted air, water and the entire ecosystem. Vehicular pollution have rendered the air unfit for breathing. Global warming is changing the global climate, melting polar ice caps and raising sea levels. Increasing nuclear weaponization of nations is threatening the very existence of human race. Actually its not science and technology responsible for these evil effects. Responsibility of application of science and technology lies with we humans. Application of these in the wrong direction can spell doom for the humankind and instead of being the panacea for the growth and development of a nation, canhamper the growth of that very nation. At the end, it would be pertinent here to mention excerpt from a letter written in 1994 by Bava Mahalia of Jalsindhi, one of the Narmada Dam-affected villages, to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, which beautifully depicts the ill-effects of application of science and technology:

“You tell us to take land in Gujarat. You tell us to take compensation. For losing our lands, our fields, for the trees along our fields.

But how are you going to compensate us for our forest?

How will you compensate us for our river− for her fish, her water,

for the vegetables that grow along her banks,

for the joy of living beside her?

What is the price for this?

Our gods, and the support of our kin− what price do you put on that? Our adivasi life− what price do you put on that?”

[I wrote this essay in this year’s (2013) UPSC Civil Services Main Examination. The one written here is a reproduction of that essay from my memory, hence there may be some minor changes from the original essay, but the content is more or less same. I had to write this essay within the given time-frame of 3 hours, hence this is not too lemghty. You can add some additional points to enrich the essay. Later after the examination was over, I google-searched on the topic. Here I am giving a list of relevant websites and books from where you can pick up some additional points for this essay.

Websites:

Role of Modern Science and Technologies in Agriculture for poverty alleviation in South Asia: http://practicalaction.org/docs/region_south_asia/session2_new_tech.pdf

The role of Technology in Suatainable Agriculture: http://ipmworld.umn.edu/chapters/hutchins3.htm

Science, Technology and Industry: http://www.oecd.org/sti/sti-brochure.pdf

Department of science and technology,  Annual Report: http://www.dst.gov.in/about_us/ar01-02-sp-science_technology.htm

Contribution of science to services sector: https://workspace.imperial.ac.uk/innovationstudies/public/Royal%20Society%20Hidden%20Wealth%20Report.pdf

The Critical Role of Science and Technology for National Defense ...

www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA517106

Importance of Science and Technology in National Development: http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/technology/importance-of-science-and-technology-in-national-development-essay/8563/

Science and Technology in India: http://www.preservearticles.com/201106278653/science-and-technology-in-india.html

Books:

1.      Science & Technology for Civil Services Examinations: Ashok Kumar singh, TMH

2.      Science & Technology in India by Kalpana Rajaram, Spectrum books

3.      Indian Economy by Dutt and Sundaram

Some quotations related to the topic which you can use in this essay:

As we watch the sun go down, evening after evening,

Through the smog across the poisoned waters of our native earth,

We must ask ourselves seriously whether we really wish

Some future universal historian on another planet to say about us:

‘With all their genius and with all their skill,

They ran out of foresight and air and food and water and ideas,’ or,

‘They went on playing politics until their world collapsed around them.’

U Thant

Third Secretary-General of the United Nations

We have genuflected before the god of science only to find that it has given us the atomic bomb, producing fears and anxieties that science can never mitigate.

Martin Luther King

Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.

Martin Luther King]