Science and technology have made human life comfortable and enabled us to live a modern way of life. Read to know more about the developments in science and technology and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Science and technology have given rise to several machinery and tools in different fields.
The use of these tools and machinery has helped in reducing the time, effort, and energy required in doing different works.
Introduction
Science and technology (S&T) is universally acknowledged as a crucial tool for supporting and enhancing the nation’s economic and social growth. Over the years, India has made major advancements in many fields of science and technology, and now we can be proud of its robust network of S&T institutions, skilled workforce, and cutting-edge knowledge base.
The significance of bolstering the knowledge base has grown due to the rapid pace of globalization, the quick depletion of material resources, the rising competitiveness among states, and the increasing necessity to protect intellectual property.
- Strengthening application-oriented research and development (R&D) for technology generation, fostering the development of human resources, particularly by enticing bright students to pursue careers in science, encouraging research into and application of science and technology (S&T) for predicting, preventing, and mitigating natural disasters, integrating S&T developments with all facets of national activities, and utilizing S&T to improve quality of life are all priorities today.
- S&T is crucial to both macroeconomic growth and the microeconomic development of business competitiveness. For science and technology, globalization and liberalization have created both great potential and significant difficulties.
Developments in Science and Technology
Indians, like people in every other region of the world, have a rich tradition of scientific thinking. Science has traditionally been characterized by a curiosity for the unknown, together with experimentation and observation. The implication that truth could only be found in the real world with all of its richness and complexity resulted from this.
In the context of research and development, communities of people, institutions, and organizations exchange visions for the future of technology. They extrapolate the concepts into the not-too-distant future based on the consensus regarding their desirability and viability.
These goals, therefore, take on a flexible, dynamic nature and have a significant impact on how innovation processes develop. They influence the intricate multi-actor process of choosing whether to pursue particular technical choices while excluding others from research and development initiatives.
Popular visions like the “information superhighway,” the “cashless society,” or the “paperless office” gain strength by combining institutions with the experience and knowledge of the people involved, fusing what is possible with what is desired in a unique and quite effective way.
Science and Technology in Ancient and Medieval India
India has a strong scientific and technological heritage. In India, scientific advancement is an outdated practice. India has had rapid advancements in science and technology since the time of the Indus Valley Civilization. If one were to evaluate advancement in antiquity, investigations have shown that,
In India, science and religion were closely related. The various fields of science underwent several advancements in antiquity. In the fields of astronomy, mathematics, medicine, metallurgy, geography, biology, chemistry, agriculture, etc., we discover advancements in various aspects of science.
Mathematics
- Ancient India’s contributions to mathematics are profound and well-documented. Aryabhata, one of the earliest Indian mathematicians, introduced the concept of zero as a number and made significant contributions to the field of trigonometry and algebra.
- His most famous work, Aryabhatiya, details astronomical observations and theories that suggest the Earth’s rotation on its axis.
- Another notable mathematician, Brahmagupta, provided rules for arithmetic operations involving zero and negative numbers, and he also worked on equations that were to become the basis for algebra.
Astronomy
- Indian astronomy was highly advanced for its time, with scholars like Aryabhata and Varahamihira making significant contributions.
- The concept of a heliocentric solar system, as well as the understanding of eclipses and the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, were subjects of study.
- The Surya Siddhanta, a treatise on astronomy, contains remarkably accurate calculations of the lengths of the solar year and the sizes and distances of the planets from the Earth.
Metallurgy
- The craft and science of metallurgy were highly advanced in ancient India, with the most famous example being the Iron Pillar of Delhi.
- This pillar is a testament to the high skill level in ironworking and corrosion resistance.
- The wootz steel, produced in India since ancient times, was exported across the world and is the precursor to modern high-quality steel alloys.
Medical Science (Ayurveda)
- Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine in India, was highly developed in ancient times.
- Texts like the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita are foundational works that detail surgical procedures, medicinal plants, and a holistic approach to health and wellness.
- Sushruta, known as the father of surgery, described surgical techniques and instruments that are astonishingly advanced for their time.
Architecture and Engineering
- The architectural and engineering achievements of ancient and medieval India are seen in its temples, palaces, and urban planning.
- The concept of Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian science of architecture and building, guided the construction of buildings and cities harmoniously integrated with nature.
- The step-wells of Gujarat and Rajasthan are examples of advanced engineering and water management systems.
Chemistry
- The ancient Indians also made significant strides in chemistry, known as Rasashastra.
- It involved the extraction of metals, the manufacture of alloys, and the preparation of medicinal compounds. This knowledge was applied in various fields, including medicine and metallurgy.
Textiles
- India’s contribution to textiles, particularly cotton and silk weaving and dyeing, was significant.
- Techniques for spinning, weaving, dyeing, and printing were highly sophisticated, contributing to a flourishing trade both within and outside India.
Developments in Science and Technology in Modern India
The government of India has adequately acknowledged the contribution that science and technology have made to the country’s progress. The Second Five-Year Plan emphasized that “the community’s readiness to apply modern science and technology is the most significant single component in supporting economic development.”
- To support emerging fields of research and technology, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) was established in 1971. At the state level, State Councils of Science and Technology have also been established.
- India has advanced greatly in many other domains in addition to these important ones. These include the exploration and refinement of oil by the Oil and Natural Gas Commission and the production of solar energy by the National Committee of Environment Planning.
- To control pollution in the Ganga River, the Central Ganga Authority was established. The nation currently has a solid foundation in modem technology.
- The relatively strict intellectual property laws in India will help the country become a significant R&D hub.
Space Research
India’s space program, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), stands out as one of the most successful in the world.
- ISRO’s achievements include the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), which made India the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit and the first in the world to do so in its maiden attempt.
- The Chandrayaan missions aimed at exploring the moon have placed India among the elite group of countries that have mastered the technology for space exploration. Additionally, ISRO has developed a series of indigenous satellites and launch vehicles, such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), enhancing India’s capability in remote sensing, communication, and navigation.
Information Technology and Software Services
R&D projects are increasingly being outsourced to India. More than 1,100 R&D centers have been established by multinational corporations (MNCs), including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Intel, Lupin, Wockhardt, and others. Information and communication technologies, biotechnology, aircraft, automotive, chemicals, and materials technology are all covered by these R&D facilities.
- India has emerged as a global hub for information technology (IT) and software services, contributing significantly to the global IT workforce.
- Indian IT firms like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro are recognized globally for their software development, IT services, and outsourcing solutions.
- The country’s IT sector has been a critical driver of economic growth, generating millions of jobs and significantly contributing to India’s GDP.
Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry
- India’s biotechnology sector has grown exponentially, with advancements in genetic engineering, stem cell research, and the development of vaccines and biopharmaceuticals.
- The Indian pharmaceutical industry, known as the “pharmacy of the world,” is a leader in the production of generic drugs, supplying affordable medicines to various countries.
- Indian companies like Biocon and Serum Institute of India play crucial roles in drug development and vaccine production, contributing to global health initiatives.
Renewable Energy
- India’s commitment to renewable energy is evident in its ambitious targets and projects in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India, aims to harness solar energy globally, especially in countries rich in solar potential.
- The country’s push for renewable energy is part of its broader efforts to combat climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Nuclear and Defense Technology
- India has made significant advancements in nuclear technology and defense. It has developed nuclear reactors for energy production and is a member of the select group of countries with indigenous capabilities to design and build nuclear-powered submarines.
- In defense, India is focusing on self-reliance through the development of various indigenous systems, including missiles (Agni and Prithvi series), fighter jets (Tejas), and other advanced military technologies.
Digital India Initiative
- The Digital India initiative aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
- It focuses on improving online infrastructure, increasing internet connectivity, and making government services electronically available to citizens. This initiative has led to significant advancements in digital payments, e-governance, and internet accessibility across the country.
Startups
- In terms of the number of startups, India is currently the third-largest nation. In the upcoming years, it is anticipated that this number will increase tremendously.
- The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) was established by the government to drastically change the nation’s innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up ecosystems.
Global participation
The government is sponsoring numerous research and development programs as part of the national policy to boost scientific activities. Thus, we discover that scientific knowledge and modern technology have had an impact on practically every field, including ocean development, nuclear energy, space technology, electronics, agriculture, and industry.
- Leading some groundbreaking research being done around the world are scientists from India. It has been exciting to see recent advancements in frontier science and technology made by Indian scientists.
- For instance, 37 Indian scientists from nine Indian institutes were instrumental in the gravitational wave discovery that won the 2017 Physics Nobel Prize.
- The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), located in the United States, discovered a neutron star merger with the assistance of Indian scientists.
- Additionally, it boasts the third-largest technical and scientific labor force in the entire world.
Developments in Science and Technology-Effects in Everyday Life
Every day of the year, from the moment we wake up until the time we go to bed, science and technology have an impact on all of us. Science has given us many things, including our digital alarm clock, the weather report, the cars we drive and the buses we ride, our choice to eat a baked potato rather than fries, our cell phones, the antibiotics that treat sore throats, the clean water, and the light. Developments in Science and technology have impacted both Socialization and productivity.
- Because of the internet’s strength, it is now easier to share ideas and resources and to create global communities. Without the knowledge and technologies made possible by science, the modern world would not even remotely be modern.
- Science has a rising impact on people’s lives. Even while the benefits to humanity in recent decades have been unsurpassed in the history of the human species, there have been certain cases where the influence has been negative or the long-term implications raise grave concerns.
- Today, there is a sizable amount of popular skepticism about science and anxiety around technology. This is partly due to the perception held by some people and communities that they will be the ones to experience the unintended negative effects of technological advancements made to benefit a wealthy minority.
- Because research can effect change, scientists have a responsibility to act and speak with extreme prudence. Scientists ought to consider the social repercussions of technological applications or the dissemination of incomplete information resulting from their work, and they ought to explain to the general public and decision-makers the level of scientific uncertainty or incompleteness in their conclusions.
- To help people adapt to environmental change, they should also not be afraid to fully utilize the predictive capacity of science when done right, especially in situations where there are immediate concerns like natural disasters or water shortages.
- The S&T sector offers straightforward, reasonably priced scientific solutions that enable people to save time and effort and increase their revenue. Technologies provide value to the goods produced by the cottage and small-scale industries, boosting their competitiveness.
- By focusing on computer literacy and making IT accessible to individuals without formal schooling, S&T can, in general, play a significant role in bringing IT to the most isolated regions of the nation.
- By focusing on computer literacy and making IT accessible to individuals without formal schooling, S&T can, in general, play a significant role in bringing IT to the most isolated regions of the nation.
- Thus, via skill development and training that is activity-oriented, supporting the growth of entrepreneurship, and promoting self-employment using new technologies, the “problem population” can be transformed into an important “human resource.”
- S&T provides solutions for short-term issues like switching to non-conventional energy sources and product packaging as well as long-term issues like drought, epidemics, drinking water shortages, nutrition, sanitation, health, and housing.
- Through the use of environmentally friendly technology, S&T knowledge can be used to create ways to encourage people to develop the habit of using natural resources like wood, bamboo, medicinal plants, etc. more wisely.
Developments in Science and Technology and Society
In the past 200 years, the wealthier sectors of the human race have primarily exploited science as a tool for military might and economic advancement. It is increasingly obvious that the existing use of natural resources and growing strains on the local and regional environment cannot go on indefinitely without the breakdown of the natural support systems that enable current civilizations.
Science, which played a role in creating this scenario, now bears the primary duty of assisting societies in moving away from a fixation with growth and toward the development of an ecological and economic system that is dynamically stable and sustainable.
An alliance between contemporary technical science with the universal knowledge of indigenous societies and philosophers from all cultures can be crucial throughout this transition.
The pace of change in both natural and human conditions and problems is predicted to increase in the twenty-first century.
Scientists have a growing responsibility to work with policymakers and the general public to find and implement solutions or means of adaptation to issues that are both local and global, such as balancing the current competitive profit motive with the common good; allowing contributions from and benefits to marginalized elements of society and minority cultures; justifying current expenditures to avoid costs or damages to future generations; and rewarding scientific achievement.
There has never been a more crucial time for Developments in Science and Technology to influence and progress society and government.
Article written by Aseem Muhammed
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