Editor,
The junior minister for education in the NDA ministry, Satyapal Singh has to have been a Christian in his previous life to discount Darwin’s theory of evolution. Christians believe in the creation story where God made the first man and woman whom He called Adam and Eve and whose sin led to the Great Fall. Darwin’s theory of evolution has gone through a lot of upheavals but is largely accepted for want of other more advanced studies into the subject. In his book ‘The Descent of Man’ published in 1871, Charles Darwin presented the idea that human beings and apes have a common ancestor. But Darwin never said that humans directly evolved from apes. He merely pointed out the similarities between birds, fishes, mammals and reptiles and suggested that all life is related. This, in turn, means that all complex life forms evolved from simpler ones through various genetic mutations.
It is religion, especially Christianity that has countered Darwin’s theories because they contradict creationism, the belief that life originated and changed through divine creation as claimed in religious scriptures. Interestingly in September 2017, Turkey scrapped references to evolution and Charles Darwin from high school syllabus, claiming that evolution is too advanced for high school students. Critics and educators saw this as an attempt to move away from its secular background under President Erdoğan and said that the move will leave Turkish students unable to understand even basic science. So is Satyapal Singh only following what another dictator is doing? Over time, many scientists too have pointed out inconsistencies in the theory of evolution based on their inability to find a satisfactory explanation for the ‘tree of life’ (which describes the connection between species both living and extinct) in molecular biology.
But as many scientists would argue until other more cogent explanations of the origin of man are found then Darwin’s ideas cannot be arbitrarily tossed aside. Only if a more scientifically accurate way of explaining the diversity of life on Earth comes along then Darwin’s theory can be laid to rest. In the case of Satyapal Singh it must me the quest for publicity which some of the ministers in the Modi government suffer from. Now why does the Prime Minister not ask his publicity crazy ministers to just shut up? As a scientist, I hang my head in shame at the gibberish spouted by ministers and foot soldiers of the NDA Government. Is India moving ahead or regressing? Are we ready for Artificial Intelligence when we still seem to live in the dark ages as far as scientific knowledge is concerned?
Yours etc.,
Hitesh Kulkarni,
Via email
Election and examinations
Editor,
Assembly elections in Meghalaya are held in February after every five years and it is by coincidence that the children’s exams too start in less than fifteen day’s time. Well, I could be wrong, but people have no objection if the two different events are held on separate months. Holding elections is morally and politically justified, but at or near exam time is not quite right. Election campaigns starts very much in advance, during which time some socially or politically active students spend their time canvassing and persuading people to vote for one particular political party or candidate. However sometimes students involved in such activities may get carried away and the results, quite often are disastrous.
The Queen of hills is highly praised for actions it has performed on the educational front. So exams cannot be seen as less important than an election. In terms of educational performance, our university and State Board results have always been better than most others. Never mind who comes up trumps and who does not, the point is what good and how well you deliver on the day. Probably when nothing is in our hands, then all we can do is keep our fingers crossed that the more able candidates receive the best results and students from all the three streams of arts, commerce and science get the best exam results. Parents and teachers would do well not only to help children achieve higher levels of performance but also make sure they prepare good quality revision notes and do their revision well in advance to avoid failure.
Yours etc.,
Sugat Gewali ,
Shillong -2
A welcome move!
Editor,
The Centre must be congratulated for its decision to use Haj subsidy for the education of girls. This decision is not only in tune with the secular ideals of the Indian Constitution but also with its welfare directives. The secular character has been deeply embedded in our Constitution not only by its very Preamble but also by Articles 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30. On the other hand, Article 38 of our Constitution has directed the “State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people”.
The government now needs to take complementary steps by stopping other pilgrim subsidies as well like those involving pilgrimage to Amarnath, Manasarovar etc. and use the money fruitfully like giving girl students educational scholarships. Such a complementary step must be taken to underscore the secular and welfare character of the Haj decision. A government decision should always be in accordance with our Constitution. It should not be in favour of any particular religion nor against any.
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950 which is celebrated as India’s Republic Day. As we are the citizens of a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic; we must always let our Constitution rule over religions and not vice versa.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata