The Mars mission is
about to be launched, huge amount of public money is being spent. Well, I guess,
probably it will make sense one day. But when ISRO chairperson behaves in buffoonish
manner then eyebrows are raised, it falls into a pattern that we are so very
familiar. ISRO Chairperson is behaving like a high priest of ISRO temple. His
unconcern for scientific temper and values associated with these falls very
much into the pattern of temple squatters (therefore elite mindset that defines
this society), diminishing egalitarian values. Everything is uniquely tied
to matters of fate. With this act he has undermined the scientific work that
needs precise meticulous, rational enquiry and open mindedness. He has put premium on temple
rituals and therefore staked the credibility of ISRO and work of hundreds of scientists.
ISRO is a premier
scientific organization and Mr. Radhakrishnan is a scientist, though his
inbred credential may prove otherwise. He has no business to be at Tirupati,
this is voodooist. Most importantly the miniature model is the property of ISRO
that he cannot take it out for personal reasons. He is being highly
irresponsible. In an increasingly blind faith superstition driven society these kinds of
acts by a person who is supposed to be having a scientific mind is deplorable. A
scientific mind is a critical mind and not bound by rituals which is very much
part of superstition, not to forget the regressive hold on this beleaguered society. God is not sitting
somewhere to see that Mars mission is a success (God has better things to do
that include blessing Americans every other minute!!). What utter nonsense. Clearly
Radhakrishnan is not an evolved man, just another blessed fellow who happened to
get lucky and so ended up as ISRO Chairperson. Such is the grace of god, they
also have readymade story to substantiate each of these miracles.
It also brings a very
important question as to who are these people who become senior scientist in
India or is it being at the right time in the right place emulating pointers for deep state manipulators, which is so
important decider, the reason for fate. With
these acts he has done a disservice to scientific temper. It also falls into
increasingly revivalist vision of Hinduism. It is likely that he has political
ambition and is accordingly positioning himself. I gather this august tradition
was initiated by another dimwit Keralite and former ISRO Chairperson Madhavan Nair.
During his tenure this medieval man found time to attend caste organization.
Our man was eventually found to be corrupt and used his position for monetary
gains, so is languishing in the sidelines (wonder why he was not arrested). We
are also aware of neat post retirement works of Mr. Kasturirangan.
It is clear that Indian
scientists are part of some rituals which includes calculations and knowledge
of science. They seem to be giving impression of some mystifying involvement in
the realm of uncertain rather than precise study. These people cannot really be
pioneers or innovators (even if that would be piecemeal juggad work), they are therefore good at copying or replicating
with minor changes. These kinds of people and their worldview must not be
allowed in premier scientific organization. It is not only setting a deviant
precedence but also demotivating for next generation scientists and scientific
temper that this country so acutely lacks. Faith is a personal matter; personal
tribulations should be dealt accordingly, particularly by a person who heads
premier scientific organization. The expression of faith and conduct herewith
in public differentiate evolved people and their outlook. These are serious matters and
such misdemeanors shouldn’t be patronized as personal choices. Ideally this man
should be removed at the earliest. In recent times mullah driven victimhood
spectra has consistently degraded egalitarian values and exacting expectations. So maybe Mr.
Radhakrishnan’s acts will fall into the space of freedom of expression and so
he can even play victim with help of media manipulators.