We shouldn't be ashamed of our ancient science glory: Vardhan

Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan today defended the paper which talked about the existence of aeroplanes 7,000 years ago, rejecting criticism in some quarters that the Indian Science Congress focused on the country's ancient science history.
"What perception grows from some articles in the newspapers that in the Indian Science Congress they are only discussing the history of science. You see one should not feel ashamed of our glorious past," he told reporters in response to questions on the paper presented at the recently-concluded Science Congress on the existence of aeroplanes.
"We have to accept it and it has been accepted even by the West in documents and in Vedas. Not only in Vedas, but even in international documents also we (India) had (there is mention of) huge amounts of knowledge in every field," the Minister said.

India was the most superior power in the world not only in science, but even in medicine, art, culture, commerce and anything that one can think of, he said.
"So if a paper is published (presented) at the Indian Science Congress which highlights any of these achievements of the past and wants to share the experiences of the past and sort of club them and integrate them with what is happening today and what is our future goal, I think we should not mind that," Harsh Vardhan said.
"Moreover, I think the country is absolutely clear. Our government and our scientists, they are using the most advanced technological and scientific acumen," he said.

The Minister said the country is trying to go "absolutely digital" under the concept of 'Digital India' promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"So if we were only basking in the glory of our ancient past, we would never think of what we have to do for the future. We must feel proud of our great achievements also and at the same time we should not forget that we have to make our future brighter than our glorious past," he added.