The Indian Science Congress Just Rolled Off, Here Are Some Marvels From Previous Editions

Every year since 1914, more than 30,000 scientists have come together and met at the annual meetings of the Indian Science Congress Association. This year is no different, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the five-day annual Indian Science Congress at the Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati.

The event will be held from January 3-7 and 6 Nobel Prize winners from different countries such as the US, Japan, Israel, France and Bangladesh will also take part in it.

Moreover, more than 14,000 scientists and scholars from across the country will attend the event.

PM @narendramodi at 104th Indian Science Congress at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/HpyvEnxFFX

¡ª PIB India (@PIB_India) January 3, 2017

But the organisation, started with the agenda that scientific research in India could be stimulated if an annual meeting of research workers was held, somewhat on the lines of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, has reached another level.

Leaving for Tirupati, where I will join the Indian Science Congress. Looking forward to interacting with scientists from all over India.

¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 3, 2017

Somehow over the years, Hindu mythological claptrap has swept in, and science has taken a back seat. Take last year's meet for instance, where a paper was presented, stating 'Lord Shiva Is A Great Environmentalist'. Could it benefit society, when the brightest minds in the country are shackled by mythology and superstition? In the same meeting, an IAS officer claimed that it was possible for white hair to turn black. I mean no offence, but is this the forum for such a proposition? In fact, the association has a history of projecting bogus ideas, sans validation.

On one occasion, it said, "Hindu epics are all we need to understand the ancient world and we shouldn't rely on modern evidence or research."

In another, back in 2014, some highly intellectual minds at the program claimed the aeroplane was a vehicle discovered in the Vedic age which could not only move from one country to another, but also from one planet to another.

"In those days aeroplanes were huge in size, and could move left, right, as well as backwards, unlike modern planes which only fly forward," said Captain Anand J Bodas, one of the speakers.

And now is no different.

Sudershan Rao, who was recently appointed as the head of the Indian Council of Historical Research by Modi, added another bizarre claim to the list. He said that the art of fiction writing hadn't been invented until the last century and because the Mahabharata has been proved to be written at least two millennia ago, they must obviously be accurate and true.

Joining the aforementioned bandwagon, the PM said that the Hindu god Ganesh's head was evidence of ancient plastic surgery.

Modi further said that the Kauravas from the Mahabharata were all test-tube babies as they had been born outside their mother's womb.

Meanwhile, this is what the Indian PM aims for this year.

#1

Seeding the power of ideas & innovation in schoolchildren will broaden the base of our innovation pyramid & secure future of our nation: PM

¡ª PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 3, 2017

#2

There is a need to develop and exploit these technologies in services and manufacturing sectors: PM @narendramodi

¡ª PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 3, 2017

#3

We need to keep an eye on the rise of disruptive technologies and be prepared to leverage them for growth: PM @narendramodi

¡ª PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 3, 2017

#4

Nation will always be grateful to scientists who have worked tirelessly to empower our society by their vision, labour, and leadership: PM

¡ª PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 3, 2017

#5

Government is committed to supporting different streams of scientific knowledge: PM @narendramodi

¡ª PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 3, 2017

We'll have to wait and see the bombs that drop this year.