HGVS expresses deep grief over the demise of Dr. M.P. Parameshwaran
A prominent thinker of the People’s Science Movement
The Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Dr. M.P. Parameshwaran, a renowned scientist, educationist, prominent thinker of the People’s Science Movement, and founding secretary of the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti. The Samiti termed his demise an irreparable loss to the country’s People’s Science Movement, the progressive movement, and the campaign for scientific awareness.
Founder President of the Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar; State President, Prof. T.D. Verma; and State Secretary & Treasurer, Gyanand Sharma, said that Dr. Parameshwaran dedicated his entire life to connecting science with the common people, making scientific temperament a medium of social change, and advancing alternative thinking on development.
Popularly known as ‘M.P.’ among People’s Science activists with affection and respect, Dr. Parameshwaran also had a deep connection with Himachal. Recalling his visit to Shimla in 1993, Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar said that Dr. Parameshwaran’s presence at the first state conference of the Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti became a source of new energy, enthusiasm, and inspiration for the state’s activists. His ideas and active guidance played a crucial role in giving a new direction to the People’s Science Movement in Himachal and propelling it forward rapidly.
Dr. Parameshwaran believed that the development plan for any region should be formulated based on a deep understanding of its actual conditions, local resources, capacities, weaknesses, and possibilities. Even in the context of Himachal, his dream was to prepare an alternative framework for development by understanding the state’s own strengths and challenges, on the basis of which people’s organizations could advocate for policy interventions and public interest before the governments.
The Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti stated that today, when we are confronted with issues such as the indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources in the name of development, environmental crises, climate change, growing inequality, and the limited participation of local communities in the development process, Dr. Parameshwaran’s vision becomes even more relevant.
The ‘People’s Plan’ developed under his leadership in Kerala was a significant example of this very vision. This initiative, based on decentralized planning and the participation of local communities, gave a new direction to the development process in Kerala and subsequently inspired efforts to promote such thinking across the country.
The Samiti leaders said that despite playing a crucial role at the national level, Dr. Parameshwaran always remained rooted to the ground. He considered the experiences of activists, communities, and ordinary people as an important source of learning. He believed that the People’s Science Movement could not be limited merely to the propagation of science but had to be connected to the real problems of society, the direction of development, and the lives of common people.
Dr. Parameshwaran continually strived to give the People’s Science Movement a new vision, a new perspective, and a new work culture. He viewed questions of science, technology, development, democracy, and social change in connection with broader public concerns. This is his greatest ideological legacy.
The Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti said that with the passing of Dr. M.P. Parameshwaran, the People’s Science Movement has lost a thinker, intellectual, scientist, and guide whose absence will be felt for a long time. His ideas, his work culture, and his dream of making the general public active participants in the process of science and development will continue to inspire future generations of activists.
ThSamiti expressed its deepest condolences to Dr. Parameshwaran’s family, colleagues, and People’s Science activists across the country, and paid heartfelt tributes to h
