Science with a Human Face
I was initiated to the idea of “science with a human face” by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who in 1992 set up a program to develop Civilian Spinoffs of Defence Technology and make me its “lynchpin.” Working on this initiative, I came in contact with some truly outstanding scientists whose work had created tremendous impact on the lives of ordinary people. The indigenous coronary stent created under this program ushered a new era of biomedical industry in India. Later, when Dr Kalam became the president of India in 2002, he used me as his ambassador to connect interdisciplinary people for the common good.
I met the legendary Dr Verghese Kurien and he later hosted me at and invited me to his house for tea. Dr Kurien had been a mechanical engineer like me but strayed to Dairy technology, creating Amul in the process. When I asked him for a mantra, he plainly told me, “If you want to work for ordinary people, live with them, and live like them.” His words, “Extraordinary people are those ordinary people who do extra work,” have remained my guiding light. When in 2012, Dr Kurien was struggling for his life, people suggested that he be shifted from a hospital in Nadiad town for better treatment to Mumbai. However, he flatly refused saying that he would like to die where he had worked since 1949 rather than away in Mumbai.
Dr William Dar was the Director General, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in Hyderabad, when Dr APJ Abdul Kalam visited the international organization, which conducts agricultural research for rural development. Later, Dr Dar and I became friends. He facilitated my visit to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Philippines. I wrote two books with him, an autobiographical “Feeding the Forgotten Poor” and the visionary, “Greening the Grey.” In 2014, Dr William Dar completed his record three terms at ICRISAT and left for his home country, the Philippines. He is currently the Secretary of Agriculture of the Philippines.
I met at ICRISAT my seniors in GB Pant University, Dr SN Nigam and Dr KB Saxena. Both these scientists have given their lifetimes to improve their crops of interests – peanut and pigeon pea. Later, I met the rising star in plant genetics, Rajeev Varshney at ICRISAT, who has created reference genome sequence assemblies for 13 plant species. My other “comrades” are Vilas Tonapi, Director, Indian Institute of Millet Research; Dr Vinod Gaur, Chairman and Managing Director of National Seeds Corporation; and Dr Sanjay Kumar, Director, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Goan Horticulturist Dr Sachin Tendulkar and Kenyan agronomist, Shem Odhiambo (in picture). Vinod and Sanjay were my juniors at GB Pant University.
What exactly is meant by the human face of science? Dr Dar explained to me, that science that is aimed to better the living conditions of people, is what appealed to him. He also cautioned me that this science is not something separate from the mainstream science but is actually the real essence of it. All high-yield and disease-resistant varieties of seeds and plants, life-saving medicines, and livelihood-technologies are examples of the human face of science. It is an aspect that must be wilfully chosen and pursued by a scientist throughout his lifespan. There have been many chiefs of DRDO and other scientific organizations before and after Dr Kalam, but his passion for doing good for humanity stands out peerless.
India has a great tradition of science and its unique system of Councils is most democratic, broad-based and participative. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) are like a tripod on which Indian science is placed. It does not matter what these organizations achieved and what they could not, but around them exists what makes India a modern nation in the world. But for this apparatus, there would be no Green Revolution then and no COVID-19 vaccine now.
But the five billion poor people in the world are a grim reality. Why has science not responded to societal needs the way it could have? Why has it served more the rich and become the engine of their wealth? It is through owing science, that the world’s richest 1 per cent owns twice as much as the bottom 90 per cent. India’s richest 1 per cent of the population holds more than 40 per cent of the national wealth while the bottom 50 per cent, the majority of the population, owns a mere 3 per cent. So, where is the work of our scientific establishments going? Whose interests is it really serving?
Public understanding and engagement with science is a hard task but it ought to be undertaken. It is a pity that Indian farmers are protesting against farm laws but not for high yield seeds. Currently, India produces about 110 million tonnes of rice a year from 44 million hectares of land at a rate of 2.4 tonnes per hectare. China grows 4.7 tonnes and Brazil, 3.6 tonnes per hectare. So, if yield is increased, land would be free to grow other crops that would bring more income and improve soil conditions.
India needs an oilseed revolution. People have made enough money for a long time by importing cheap oils, mixing them and selling them as “branded oils,” with bogus claims about their nutritive value. India needs self-reliance in fertilizers. It is a shame that our fertilizer factory in Assam, where natural gas is available in plenty, is perennially down and urea is imported as if India is a technologically backward country incapable of running a urea production plant. India needs freedom from exports of essential medical consumables too. In the absence of this, our science remains selfish, captive of the enterprises, and used to generate profits rather than relieving the pain of the people.
I am immensely enjoying watching the transformation of apple horticulture by tissue culture technology in India to the great economic benefit of the people of the northeast and we are now helping Rwanda to grow their own apples rather than importing them from South Africa. Kenya needs cashew farming on its seacoast to settle strife there and India can help in accomplishing this. And above all, the cattle-cloning technology mastered by National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, can solve livestock production constraints in Africa, especially goat production.
Who is stopping all this? The groups of vested interests that either own science or control scientists. And who gave them this right? The apathy of the ordinary people towards living a better life, and their surrender to bogus ideologies, scoundrel leaders and fraudulent businesspeople. The essence of science is – to keep trying even without being sure, having the willingness to surrender to ideas when the evidence is against them, and always keeping an open mind about the way beyond. It is up to us, humans, to give science its human face, and not the other way round.
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A fascinating write up on the real essence of science Prof Tiwariji !
Your suggestion of giving science its human face and not the other way round is a tangible solution for achieving better life for ordinary people !!
Dr Varghese Kurien was the most loving human face of time. One has to travel from Surat to Ahmedabad to see the prosperity his White Revolution has triggered. Thank you for making us remember “our greats.”
My point is this, how often do we consider our own role as gatekeepers to knowledge in reinforcing inequality in the society around us? Perhaps it is a stretch but I believe that we have a social responsibility to guard against this and it is simple.
The greatness of Dr Kurien lies in his efforts to communicate and share the wonders of dairy technology to the poor farmers – not just our academic peers, fellow scientists and sometimes policymakers. Dr Kalam is a national hero for offering his skill and knowledge “pro bono publico,” to the society around him. And in your own way you are living their example.
Thank you for an excellent blog Sir. May I add the two problems of safe foods from animals and textiles. It can only be possible if the highest level of hygiene is upheld from breeding right down to the consumer’s plate, which is almost always compromised, especially in the developing world. Even the clothes we wear are not safe. A few hundred substances in this dye group are produced from carcinogenic parent sub- stances, specific aromatic amines. Under certain circum- stances dyes of this kind may pass through the skin and then be broken down during metabolism into their parent sub-stances, the aromatic amines. Science with a human face is essential to look into these problems and suggest solutions.
Excellent blog this one. The last para hits the Bull’s Eye. “Who is stopping all this [Science with Human Face]? As Dr Girish Sahni writes in his comment, maybe it’s time to write a full analytical and truthful blog on the last para of your article. My take is we have already abandoned humanity. Most of our businesses are now owned by faceless investors who give a hoot to anything other than multiplying their profits.
You are absolutely right in saying that “the essence of science is – to keep trying even without being sure, having the willingness to surrender to ideas when the evidence is against them, and always keeping an open mind about the way beyond.” Since India did its own COVID vaccine, it happened. But for this one achievement there are hundreds which have been stopped.
Innovation culture is the work environment that leaders cultivate in order to nurture unorthodox thinking and its application. If you have a common man in your mind, surely good solutions will get created. Unfortunately, we don’t have such leaders anymore. Everyone is after money and the ESOPs that are the proverbial carrots dangled before a donkey to keep going.
It is a pity that we don’t have a credible prescription system which can be audited and challenged for malpractice. And the worst practices are rampant in the most humane of all professions – healthcare.
Dear Arun, Like always, your blog ‘Science with a Human Face’ is not only thought provoking but heart touching also. Science is a tool in the hands of mankind to make the life easier and comfortable. All disciplines of science and art are meant for the good of humanity, but it is the greed of few, who use it for their vested interest. It is true that if India, which possesses the best agricultural land, achieves better than China productivity, many woes of the country may be solved. If it happens, country will have great inclusive growth.Let us pray to the God that mighty remain with ‘Sadbuddhi’ (good sense). Wish you all the best.
Its an inspirational write up about how science was used and will be used for the betterment of the human race. As it is well said the necessity is the mother of invention and as you mentioned very well, science focused towards meeting societal needs should be given paramount importance. Me as a basic researcher got stuck to answer the question that how my science is going to help mankind, however sometime I realise that the ultimate aim down the lane after investing some time will be in supporting or improving patient care. I think its a responsibility of every scientist and every human too to pounder on this thought.
Good question: ‘Who is stopping all this”
We all are asking this question to each other for ages. Its the system. Everything is controlled by the govt. They consider private enterprise as ‘ chor’.
Somehow in the govt. system each passing day strips you of any risk taking capacity.
But in the same system Dr. Kurien, Dr. Kalam, Mr. Shreedharan, etc. could achieve wonders. Because they were fearless.
I was in a public function long back. This was to facilitate Dr. Kurien. Mrs. Indira Gandhi sat through out the function. At some time Dr. Kurien disagreed with her to the point of openly scolding her. And she apologized. The function was in Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi.
Do we have such stalwarts now?? Or can they survive??
Maybe somebody should get a Nobel for discovering a new species of invertebrates: ” The Indian Bureaucrats”
Science almost always has a human face; it is human greed that has used and abused science for profiteering and power. Medicine, for example, can’t be imagined without antiseptics, antibiotics, and almost all essential drugs are readily available in generic form and yet doctors prescribe for branded drugs and surgeons charge a thousand time of the cost of medicines and consumables that made the surgery possible. What farmers get for their produce and what traders made out of them is another example.
A very nice article Prof. Tiwari and great stories of the fascinating people you’ve encountered. The best technical innovations in my opinion are those that contribute to the betterment of society and our collective standard of living. The future is sure to bring even more dramatic innovations with artificial intelligence improving healthcare in so many ways as well as many other industries, including agriculture. Such innovation creates significant value and the potential to improve the lives of not only the rich, but the poor as well.
A nice read! Your association with stalwarts have edified you I should say. Dr. Kalam respected the power of science because he was also a social scientist who spent his life exploring how to improve the lives of others.If R&D is driven by faith, then every step would contribute to a larger cycle and purpose, is what Dr. Kalam believed. Revolutions that help/ benefit humanity should be such that the results shouldn’t come under constant global scrutiny. On the road to development armed with science and technology powered with R&D, let’s ensure the indigenous resources and methods are restored.
With or without a human face science increasingly permeates our society, shaping dynamics of social behavior and opening new challenges. But with a human face the universal language of science can create a global order of peace and prosperity.
Dear Prof. Tiwari Here are some of my thoughts on ‘Science with a Human Face’, particularly with reference to agriculture.
Science per se is face and gender neutral. Neither does it recognize national boundaries. Science satisfies intellectual curiosity. When the transition of science into technology occurs for the benefit humankind, the science gets a human face. Unfortunately, science/technology gets distorted, when it comes in the hands of vested interests. Instead of becoming ‘Science with a Human Face’, it becomes ‘Science with a Money face’. The vested interests are willing to make money over the dead bodies of the poor. A recent example of this is of Corona vaccine seeking temporary waiver of patent rights for the poor countries.
The Green Revolution in cereals in India was the result of several factors coming together – scientific innovation, required skilled human resources and infrastructure, strong political will, urgent need of food to avoid looming famine, and the willingness of hardworking farming community in the country. We could not create the same revolution in pulses and oilseeds due to inherent limitations of these crops, lack of path breaking innovations, their cultivation in marginal environments, lack of input support and farmers’ indifference to these crops. In these two groups of crops, we have had ‘Hiccup Revolutions’ in the past, whenever government put pressure through policy and input support on scientific community, farming community, extension agencies etc. to enhance production, which largely came through increase in their cultivable area. The Technology Mission on Oilseeds in the 1990s resulted in near self-sufficiency in edible oils in India, when the government provided required policy support. The term ‘Yellow Revolution’ was coined to acknowledge the success of the Mission. However, this success was short-lived. ‘Open trade’ policy and increasing human population killed the so-called yellow revolution. The pulses story is no different.
Our average productivity in most of the crops remains low. We do have islands of high productivity, but they are very few. The urgent need in agriculture is to raise productivity in all the crops, both field and horticultural. The same is required in other allied agricultural activities – dairying, fisheries etc. Only increased productivity with high quality can make Indian farmer globally competitive. If we have to break the yield barriers in crops, we must shed our hesitation in using modern technologies in crop improvement efforts. We need to interface new and emerging genetic engineering technologies with conventional technologies to overcome the yield barriers in short time in an efficient and effective manner. Further, new insights in the crop management practices are required to enhance efficiency of the production systems. Kind regards.
Science is a double-edged sword. It has great potential to create a better quality of life for humanity, eliminate poverty and hunger, improve health, and enrich planet earth. Conversely, it can also cause great damage and destruction of whatever progress humanity has achieved so far.
In order to give a tangible shape to the noble aspirations of humanity, the United Nations has conceptualized 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for achievement by 2030. When Science is applied to achieve these goals, I think it is ‘Science with a human face’. Rather than focusing only on the financial bottom line (profit), our companies should contribute to social, environmental, and humanitarian causes as well. In addition, non-profit organizations (e.g., ICRISAT), Govt. Agencies (e.g., ICAR, CSIR) are mandated to serve humanity.
Beautiful article Sri Arunji.. It was great to read through all your stories and experiences on this topic. Dr Kurein’s words “Extraordinary people are those ordinary people who do extra work” are truly inspiring.
The title “Science with a human face” is so thought provoking as well. That somehow took me in the direction of why only Science. Why not “Politics with a human face”. Why not “Education with a human face”. Why not “Art with a human face”. Why not “Business with a human face”. Why not “Technology with a human face”.
Subsequently I ended up wondering if “human face” is what we have known as “dharma” since time immemorial.. And going with definition of धारयति इति धर्मः, dharma is what upholds largest good – good for humanity at large. As long as Scientists follow their Dharma, Politicians follow their Dharma, Educationalists follow their Dharma, Artists follow their Dharma, Businesses follow their Dharma and so on, the world can be even more beautiful place to live in. A place where just fittest don’t survive, but where fittest take the weakest along. A place where haves don’t exploit the have nots neither have nots fight against haves for selfish interests. A place where competition is replaced with collaboration. A place where it is less of “I” vs “you” and more of “we”. A place where “duties” take care of “rights” and not where distribution fake “rights” for selfish interests become the only “duties”..
And we truly become one global family – vasudaiva kutumbakam where sarve bhavantu sukhinaha..
Thanks Arun bhaisaab. Maybe it’s time to write a full analytical and truthful blog on the last para of your article of today. But it will need grit and courage too!!
Kudos to your memory Arun ji, remembering names, events places for years gone by is not an easy task – simply stupendous. As is human, one tends not to forget ones childhood memories but remembering things beyond 25 years till date is a real uphill – brain scratching moment. Groping for names, years and numbers unless meticulously entered in a diary or duly jotted is impossible.… you still win hands down for your collection/records and your zeal.
A well known fact, Agriculture and farming form the back bone of any nation. Proficiency, self reliance and to be independent in this belly filling produce is what a common man seeks. Science with a human face probably is the apt caption. Your wealth analysis of 1 percent of the world’s richest holding twice as much as the bottom 90 percent rings a bell. Wouldn’t agree less, using science to explore and search and research for various life changing produce is the need of the hour.
Yes! The nation does progress with evolution in science, new discoveries and new products, be it medical, technology, biological or others. It certainly upgrades life, making it more comfortable, increases life span or provides new experiences but sad to state, facilities to upgrade life with a human face is way behind in the race.
We do not have to research and upgrade for the 1 percent, who in any case are capable of handling things of their own but for the 90 percent who really call for hand holding. Hold on to sky rocket research and development in seeds, irrigation, pest control, quick turnover/crop rotation and above all AI in the field of produce. Why depend on nature, lets hold on lets be self reliant to create nature by Artificial Intelligence. If we produce rain and control floods, 50 percent of the job is done. The farm produce needs to be bumper year on year, green and healthy. It’s the Agricultural health which will make the common man self reliant, healthy and hearty.
Self reliance or the new coined ‘Atmanirbhar’ needs to be given priority. Yes! Why import products to be mixed locally and make a value added ‘Do it yourself product,’ for profits. Why import? India, a vast country is rich enough in its mineral reserves and resources including the skill, then why import? As you mentioned a simple fertilizer like Urea, or essential medical consumables and the like, why?
We the nation with people spread far and wide including the most advanced countries of the world while work and do it there for them then why not in our own backyard. We are and we can…‘India first.’
Atmanirbhar is the right word. Let not vested interests guide us. Let not we cater to the 1 percent of population. Let us not surrender to political leaders, the vote bank caucus, the deceitful people interested only in their own benefits. It’s time to rise from the ashes. Let us be that Science with a human face to uplift the common man.
Very nice Arun ji. Thank you. We are responsible to give a human face to very service/solution we provide to ordinary people and that’s why living with them and like them is important.
Salutations to an ode to science and its unique contributions towards a better society and the progress of humanity. You need to only think back a 100 years and see the huge positive effects and strides Science has made to make everyone’s life easier and better. How did people tolerate operations without anesthesia? Where would the world be without penicillin? Radiation and cancer, cloning and genetic engineering, behaviour science and psychiatry, the list is endless. The future possibilities, like you say, in oilseed field (pun not intended) could be limitless.
Your experiences and knowledge on the subject shows explicitly what science can do. Also comprehensible is your question about poverty and what has science done to eradicate this? I feel poverty is sometime self inflicted. In my three years stay in New Zealand, an OCED country that has all the trimmings of prosperity, sighting homeless people was not a rarity. This in spite of the Government providing all scientific, medical, day to day care and money to each individual citizen of the country. The reason these individuals are homeless is because they choose to fritter away the money given to them in drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Sometimes the human element can be both a deterrent and an asset to Science and its causes.
Sir, Thank you for this wonderful blog. I have been to IICT and have seen the human-oriented work there. I must mention here about Hing (perungayam in Tamil) which is a part of cooking in every Indian home, especially by communities that do not consume onion and garlic due to religious reasons, and yet its entire quantity had been coming from Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan spending more than 1000 crores per year on it. Hing, called asafoetida scientifically, is extracted from the fleshy roots of the perennial ferula plant as resin.
In 2018, CSIR- IHBT imported from Iran in 2018 under the supervision of National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) and planted them in Ribling, Lahaul and Spiti. The plants are growing and secreting resin in another two years’ time. Twenty kilos of resin paste can yield up to 500 kg of asafoetida powder. Hing kabuli sufaid (milky white asafoetida) and hing lal (red asafoetida) are the two types of resin available in the market water oil soluble, respectively. With what is happening in Afghanistan now, I think IHBT had done the right thing at the right time.
Dear Sir, I think new farm laws could be a game changer in the agricultural industry in India. Young generation is taking interest in agriculture and taking a scientific approach. Private investment will definitely open the internal market for Indian farmers.
In Sydney, fresh green chilli is very expensive Aus$20/kg, but you can use Indian packed frozen chilli in Aus$5. Like that there are markets for other green vegetables. Even during Covid-19, the frozen vegetables are coming from India in Australia.
Farmers need to themselves in the supply chain, Hope new farm laws will fill this gap due ti private investment by big players. Looking forward to a better future for India Farmers and the whole agricultural industry. Warm Regards.
Dear sir, Thank you very much for a very thought provoking blog on Science with human face. As you rightly brought out, all and every effort in science should be directed towards common good of public at large. We have the capability to innovate many things which can improve the living conditions of the poor.
But it is the selfish politicians and greedy businessmen are the real impediments in the progress. Covid vaccine is a very bright example of what India can do and what Indian scientists are capable. It is the political will ameliorate the conditions of the poor is need of the hour. With whatever resources we have we can achieve greater results.
One other important thing is If India improves world at large improves. Because we are ready to share the knowledge unlike other countries. We believe and practice the VASUDAIVA KUTUMBAKUM culture. Again Vaccine being given %0 plus countries is an example. We may not be the richest country but we are rich by our heart. We have many examples in the country side that there are doctors/vaidyas who treat people free of cost, there are people who run orphanages , there are people who run canteens and serve food and provide medical aid to the cancer patients and they are not rich people.
As Prof Kurien had put it, we have many ordinary people who do extra work and they need is the support from the powers that be and general public. Public awareness regarding the benefits science has to be increased thro sustained effort from all. Greater participation of all will automatically yield results.
Having seen India grow thus far in these 5 decades, I do believe that this will improve and India will guide the world to prosperity. I am an eternal optimist. Thank you once again for an interesting blog sir.
So nice of you Sir in writing about the plant tissue culture that in my opinion is very promising for the growth of agriculture in India. Being an agrarian-based economy, we need to streamline our expertise in the fields of biotechnology and innovation to improve our agricultural proficiency. Plant tissue culture has emerged as an important biotechnology and commercially viable tool to multiply elite varieties of high-quality, disease-free and high-yielding plants rapidly in the laboratory irrespective of the season of the year.
I played my smart part when the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology introduced NCS-TCP in 2006 with the objective of mentoring the tissue culture companies for production and distribution of disease-free and high-quality tissue culture plants. It is heartening that there has been no major plant virus outbreak in the last 10 years since the inception of NCS-TCP and so far, around 100 million tissue culture plants have been certified through this system.
With increasing demand for agricultural, forestry, plantation and horticulture crops, the demand for high-quality, high-yielding and disease-free planting stock has increased significantly. The industry is witnessing an actual production of approximately 350 million plants and it is not science but the money that is indeed needed for capacity expansion. I must thank you for highlighting great souls like Sanjayji, Viond Gaurji and animal cloning work of Chouhanji at NDRI, Karnal. TRuly, they are Dr APJ Abdul Kalam of their own fields.
I am fortunate to have met Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and presented to him our Teleradiology work. He was so inquisitive and asked for details including questions like will this patient be alright out of his compassion. I see no one like him any more.
You write so forcefully: “Who is stopping it? The grip of vested interests who either own science or control scientists. And who gave them this right? The apathy of the ordinary people to live a better life.” The situation is even more grim in the hospitals.
Shri Arun Tiwari ji Very impressive thoughts recollection from your own experience it’s true after renaissance and Industrial revolution Science and technology led to transformation of human Outlook towards quality of life It’s true rich using Science and technology have become richer and richer while poor due to lack of awareness and resources and education have moved below the powerty line Much to the advantage of greedy exploitation By the rich.
Science and technology fields have made tremendous progress post WW2 but Nuclear Arsenal’s costs and military expenditure has deprived the Government to increase budget on health education and employment generation Unless Population is empowered educated and encouraged to make use of science and inculcate scientific temper in thoughts and actions society will not be benefitted I appreciate your thoughts here. Thanks for sharing
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was true nationalist and well wisher of all. Salute. He shaped me to contribute in places like Ladakh for the betterment of society through development of appropriate agro-animal technologies which are bringing prosperity in the area. and great satisfaction to me. बहुत बहुत धन्यावाद डा. तिवारी जी।
Great piece, Prof!
Thank you for highlighting the benefits of science to humanity. And good things taste better when shared with friends. I am excited about the prospects of India (through Dr Sanjay and the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology) sharing apple growing research with Rwanda. Thank you for your initiative in bringing the India-Rwanda cooperation in this area.