Science and technology have a major impact on society. The effects of scientific findings on society, the ethical dimensions of research, and the prospect of future scientific developments change the way we live and have an immediate influence on the function and status of science in society.
This course will comprise of discussions about the latest scientific breakthroughs and fostering a greater connection between science, medicine and technology with society that can help identify and solve society’s challenges.
The course offered will help the students find answers to following questons:
a) Science: South Asian Ethos (Prof. Rajiv Saxena)
The talk would trace the history of scientific discoveries and development of technologies in the region and compare it with the parallel developments in the world. The South Asian thought intimately linked with the spiritual ethos of the region has had a profound influence on the way the people and thinkers of the region view science and continues to do so today. This cross-talk between the spirituality and the scientific temper will be discussed.
b) Medicine: Health challenges of South Asia (Dr. Ravi Shankar Akundi)
The diverse health challenges of the people of South Asia will be dealt with a special focus on neglected, metabolic and mental disorders. On the one end, South Asia is seeing one of the rapid urbanization in the world leading to changes in lifestyle and dietary habits. This has led to an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among South Asians. At the same time, work-related stress among adults and educational pressure among school-going children have led to an increased incidence of depression and higher rates of suicide in South Asia. At the other end of the spectrum, South Asia also has a large percentage of neglected populations who face nutritional challenges and illnesses that are preventable through simple medical and policy interventions. In addition to these, infectious diseases, including the covid-19 pandemic, continue to wreak havoc in the region. Through these classes, we will identify factors contributing towards these diseases and also focus on the traditional systems of medicine and yoga, integral to South Asian ethos, which are now being revived to find answers to wellness of the body and mind.
c) Agriculture: Biotechnology in Crop Improvement of South Asia (Dr. Ananda Mustafiz)
This part will cover current agriculture and food production practices in South Asia. Also various environmental factors affecting the crop yield would be discussed. Modern biotechnology procedures have been the key in keeping the food price affordable and keep pace with the over growing population. But soon the world is about to reach is ecological plateau. Here genetic engineering of plants might play a big role. In this context urban myths and real concern about genetically modified crops (GM crops) will be discussed. Also molecular farming and its prospect in South Asia will be covered.
Appropriate and relevant reading material would be distributed to students for each topic
