Udupi: Science & Freedom, An insightful lecture by Prof VK Tripathi in Milagres College

By P. Archibald Furtado
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 01 Apr 2023: Prof V.K. Tripathi delivers an insightful lecture on Science & Freedom as the Milagres College – Kallianpur, Science Association and IQAC Dept takes initiative to enlighten both students and teachers on Thursday, 30th March.

 

At 3.00 pm in a well attended programme, arranged in the renovated AV Auditorium, which was presided over by the Principal Dr Vincent Alva. Prof Sophia Dias, Vice Principal was present along with members of teaching and non teaching staff. Dr Surekha Bhat HOD Dept of Mathematics compeered the programme, which was begun with the prayer by Ms Melvita.

 

The well known Gandhian, Indian Plasma Physicist and a Peace Activist was introduced to the audience by Dr Rajaram Tolpady, Director Nehru Studies Centre. Hailing from Jhansi in UP, Prof VK Tripathi a former Professor in Physics in the prestigious IIT Delhi, had rich experience in teaching both in India and US. Even after his retirement he is actively involved in Sadhbhvana Andolan to spread the message of unity in diversity.

 

 

Principal Dr Vincent Alva in his presidential address, expressed his happiness ‘to be host to such a wonderful social activist, so simple and humble, midst of us and called upon all participants to listen to him attentively as he is going to discuss Science and Freedom today’.

 

It was truly an experience of different kind as Dr Tripathi, shared his own experiences and encounters with Science as a stream of learning. Highlighting the great contributions from Newton to Robert Oppenheimer… Steam engine to nuclear weapons… he took the audience to question whether Science is used for the welfare and well being of human kind? Scientists only inventing but sadly have no control over its applications….He gave multiple examples over the centuries and even today, how Science ruined and devastated the world… as today Scientific researchers are controlled by politicians and business tycoons as it become instrument of imperialism. This attitude must change…

 

He stressed on students to be responsible for their actions and let religion and emotions not carried away their thought process and especially during these formation years. He regretted about the present education system which is business for many. Youth are the only ray of hope and any positive change expected from them he observed.

 

To conclude the talk, Dr Tripathi recited couple of Gazal lines in Urdu sending the message to youth ‘‘there is no substitute for hard-work and don’t tolerate atrocities on weak people’. Science students and many from other streams, all faculty members attended the programme.

 

In the end Prof Loyleeta DSouza Dept of Chemistry proposed vote of thanks.