Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, a renowned astrophysicist, is internationally recognised for his groundbreaking work in cosmology. Alongside his mentor, Sir Fred Hoyle, he played a crucial role in developing the conformal gravity theory, a major contribution to the field. His remarkable achievements have earned him prestigious accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and UNESCO’s Kalinga Award for science popularisation.
In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, the 75-year-old scientist, shared his thoughts on various aspects of science and society, including his belief that younger generations have become more superstitious despite technological advancements.
A rare observation
Reflecting on a remarkable experience from 50 years ago, Narlikar described witnessing the sun rise in the west—an unusual occurrence caused by specific conditions during flight. “It was unexpected back then,”he remarked. “You had to have the sun near the horizon, the plane’s speed had to exceed the Earth's rotational speed in the opposite direction, and the time of day had to align just right.”
The growing influence of superstition in contemporary India
Narlikar voiced his concern over the increasing prevalence of superstitious beliefs among the younger generation in India. “Jawaharlal Nehru had envisioned a more rational society, one that would move beyond traditions and superstitions after Independence,” he said. “Unfortunately, that has not been the case.”
Even in the age of swift technological advancements, Narlikar observed that many city dwellers still hold beliefs in astrology and self-proclaimed spiritual figures. He linked this persistence to the current educational methods, emphasising how rote learning hinders the development of independent and rational thought.
“Our generation had less memorisation, more time for games, and access to books. Today’s students are burdened with an overpacked syllabus, television shows, and video games. Science and mathematics are taught differently now, with teachers having little time to go beyond the curriculum,” he noted.
Science and media
Evaluating the relationship with media and science, Narlikar highlighted how mainstream outlets frequently emphasise superstitions over factual scientific discussions. “During a solar eclipse, television channels will invite a scientist alongside an astrologer, yet they end up giving more airtime to the astrologer. Many channels even have in-house astrologers,” he remarked.
A study conducted in the 1980s found that only five per cent of print media space was dedicated to science and technology news, with Hindi publications providing more extensive coverage of scientific content compared to their English counterparts. “Surprisingly, grassroots readers are more interested in science than the more urban, English-reading population,” he noted.
Funding and government support for science
Narlikar also raised concerns regarding government support for scientific research, highlighting the decreasing share of GDP allocated to research and development over the years. “When I was a member of the science advisory council, it was promised that funding would rise to two per cent from the existing one per cent. Instead, it has slipped to 0.8 per cent over the years,” he noted.
Reflections on influences and friendships
Looking back on the key figures who shaped his scientific path, Narlikar acknowledged the profound impact of his father and mentor, Fred Hoyle. He also fondly recollected about his cherished friendship with celebrated writer E.M Forster, whom he had the opportunity to meet during his time at King’s College, Cambridge. “Forster was a modern thinker, despite his age. He never complained about ill health and was always full of wisdom,” he recalled.
The threat of comets
Addressing concerns about a comet potentially colliding with Earth, Narlikar assured that astronomers are diligently researching such threats. He cited his own science fiction writing, which explores a scenario where an approaching comet triggers two contrasting responses: one driven by superstition and fears and the other guided by scientific reasoning and problem-solving.
“In science, the solution involved detonating a nuclear device near the comet to deflect its course without causing unnecessary panic. That rational approach contrasts starkly with fear-based beliefs,” he explained.
A call for rational thinking
With decades of research and advocacy behind him, Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar has been a consistent champion of rational thinking in science. He asserts that despite India’s technological advancements, the nation must intensify its efforts to foster scientific inquiry and critical reasoning, particularly among the young generation.
“Science can guide us toward logical solutions, but education must encourage curiosity beyond mere memorisation,” he concluded.
