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EMPLOYING METHODS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE BENEFIT OF RURAL INDIA We are all aware of the substantial investment that our nation has made in S and T education and research. It will also be generally agreed that the benefits from this huge and continuing investment do not flow to all sections of our society in equal or fair measure. While part of our nation lives in the late 20th century, another part is still living in the medieval ages. No nation can progress much beyond the “national average". When these differences are too wide, they create not only social tensions but also slow down progress and make it expensive. How can the whole nation benefit from whatever S and T we have invested in? This is the question that worries not only politicians but also scientists. There is one group that feels we must set up separate establishments for "Appropriate" technology for Science for Rural Development etc. There have been demands for establishment of "Vedic Science" "Indian Science" or "Indian Medicine" etc. While there is a case for funding organisations for specific objectives, I think we should not consider "Appropriate Technology" or "Ayurvedic Medicine" as a separate kind of science with different basics, where normal scientific principles are not valid. Rural Development Through Education System 192
