Contribution of Jawaharlal Nehru to India’s Science and Technology Post-Independence
- Vision for a Scientific India: Nehru viewed science and technology as essential for India’s development and modernization. He advocated for a “scientific temper” as a guiding principle for national progress.
- Establishment of Institutions: Nehru spearheaded the creation of premier scientific and technical institutes, including:
- Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs): Modeled to provide advanced technical education and contribute to industrial growth.
- Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): For advanced research and development in science and industry.
- Atomic Energy Commission (AEC): Set up in 1948 to guide India’s nuclear research and development.
- Promotion of Space Research: Nehru established the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, laying the foundation for what would later become the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Focus on Nuclear Energy: In collaboration with Dr. Homi Bhabha, Nehru championed the peaceful use of nuclear energy, leading to the development of India’s nuclear research program and the setting up of nuclear reactors.
- Scientific Policy Resolution of 1958: Nehru’s government introduced this policy to prioritize scientific research and technological advancements, focusing on self-reliance in science and technology.
- Founding of National Laboratories: Under Nehru’s leadership, various national laboratories were set up for research in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering, significantly contributing to industrial and technological progress.
- Support for Agricultural Research: Nehru promoted agricultural science, leading to the Green Revolution in the 1960s, which greatly improved India’s agricultural productivity and food security.