Scientists need levelplaying field to complete in West: J

Srinagar, July 28 (UNI) Expressing hope that Science Congress held here will prove to be a landmark event of modern times in the country, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha has underscrord the need for providing level playing field to meritorious scientists of the country to compete with the best in the West.

''If we have to compete with the best in the world, we cannot afford to compromise with merit''.

At the same time, we cannot allow our large impoverished and ignorant masses to continue to live in their present deprived state, the Governor said in his valedictory address to the 2nd Jammu and Kashmir Science Congress at University of Kashmir last evening.

Gen Sinha said scientific knowledge must be used to spread enlightment among the deprived sections and improve their quality of life. ''However. at the same time we must not deny the meritorious scientists opportunity to compete on a level playing field with their counterparts in the world.'' This is the big challenge our Nation faces today and where our scientists in different disciplines have to make a contribution, he added.

The Governor said, ''in the 21st Century we are witnessing a Knowledge Revolution again based on science. Our people have done remarkably well in Information Technology. Now is the time for us to catch up in scientific knowledge with advanced countries.'' He said primacy of scientific education needs to be fully established in the country which is now emerging as a global power.

The Governor said knowledge of science has long overtaken the importance of knowledge of humanities.

Congratulating the University of Kashmir for holding the national level event in the Campus, the Governor noted with satisfaction that 500 papers were submitted for this Conference on several scientific matters, which have been discussed at this Conference.

''This has provided a wonderful opportunity for exchange of knowledge and experience. Our young scientists of Kashmir must have found this interaction of tremendous benefit, opening wide vistas of knowledge for them,'' he said.

Dwelling on the historical background of Srinagar, Gen Sinha said this ancient city founded by great Ashoka has been a centre of learning through the ages spreading knowledge and high values in the world. The Fourth Buddhist Council held at Srinagar at the turn of the Christian era, over 2000 years ago, accounted for Buddhism spreading Northwards to Central Asia and Eastwards to Ladakh and Tibet.

''The fragrance of the liberal and sublime teachings of Lala Ded and Sheikh-ul-Alam, which spread from here, has been the cherished prized heritage of Kashmiriyat.'' He said the translations of Upanishads and Hindu epics into Persian in the seminary at Pari Mahal under inspiration from the great scholar Prince, Dara Shikoh, was a significant contribution to the pluralistic socity.

UNI BAS PR DB1207