Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti organized National Scientific Awareness Day
· Event held at Rotary Town Hall, Shimla, on the martyrdom day of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar
· Heartfelt tribute paid to Dr. M.P. Parameshwaran, a pioneer of the People’s Science Movement
The Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti organized ‘National Scientific Awareness Day’ on August 20, 2026, at Rotary Town Hall, Shimla. This day was observed on the occasion of the martyrdom day of social reformer Dr. Narendra Dabholkar. The event featured Shrideep Bhattacharya, former Secretary General of the All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN) and a mechanical engineer, as the chief guest.
Chief guest Shrideep Bhattacharya, remembering Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, said that he was murdered in 2013 by reactionary forces because he was awakening the public against superstition, orthodoxy, and unscientific thinking. He stated, “Dabholkar’s murder was the killing of one individual, but his questions remain alive today—will we believe without evidence, or will we build a discerning society by asking questions?”
Shrideep Bhattacharya expressed concern over current education and health policies, stating that governance-administered unscientificness is the biggest challenge before the People’s Science Movement today. Science and history are being removed from curricula and replaced with mythological narratives, harming the right to education and its very nature. Additionally, healthcare services are being handed over to private hands, against which the People’s Science Movement will launch nationwide campaigns.
During the event, a heartfelt tribute was paid to Dr. M.P. Parameshwaran, founder secretary of the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, a profound thinker and scientist, remembering his incomparable contribution to the People’s Science Movement in the country.
Dr. Om Prakash Bhureta, Secretary General of the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, said that “Dr. Parameshwaran gave the People’s Science Movement a new vision and work ethic. He connected science, technology, development, and democracy with the concerns of the common people. Carrying forward his dreams is the true tribute to him.”
Satyawan Pundir, State Secretary of the Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti, said that “Dr. Parameshwaran’s demise is an irreparable loss to the People’s Science and progressive movement.” Pundir added that Dr. Parameshwaran dedicated his entire life to connecting science with ordinary people and advancing alternative thinking on development.
At the gathering, former State Secretary of the Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Vishwanath Sharma; former President and 84-year-old retired Hiranand Shandilya; national convenor of Samta, Sumitra Chandel; and State President Prof. T.D. Verma also recalled their experiences with Dr. M.P. and appealed for intensifying the campaign on scientific awareness.
