MANGALDAI, Dec 29 - An awareness meeting organised by the Mangaldai chapter of Assam Science Society in collaboration with the Women�s Study and Research Centre of Mangaldai College and voluntary organisation Crystal Vision at Dahi Higher Secondary School on Tuesday urged the youth to develop scientific temperament right from their schooling days.
Addressing the meeting as an appointed speaker, Dr Kamaleswar Nath, a veteran medical practitioner and a thought-provoking writer, explained about the difference among common belief, disbelief and superstition prevailing in the society while discussing the importance of justifying our day-to-day practices scientifically.
�Every child is a scientist with his natural sense of inquisitiveness. It is not necessary that a person has to be from a science background in order to develop a scientific temperament,� Dr Nath said.
Citing many examples of unscientific beliefs and superstitions, including the widely prevailing custom of keeping women aloof, that too in an unhygienic condition sans nutritious food during menstruation and following delivery, besides the practice of organising public function after a girl attains puberty, taking the advice of quacks instead of a doctor to get relief from liver disorder like jaundice, ridiculous practices after snakebite, solemnising frog marriage to get rid of droughts, worshipping of deities to recover from the effect of evil spirits and torture of poor and lonely village women in the name of witch-hunting, among others, were highlighted by the speaker.
He discussed how these age-old unscientific beliefs or superstitions had been causing harm to the society. All this may be eradicated with the development of a scientific temperament among people from their young age.
The speaker also interacted with the students while testing their sense of scientific temperament.
The meeting, chaired by Suresh Chandra Sarma, Principal of Dahi Higher Secondary School, was addressed by Dr Minati Sarma and Dr Barnali Deka, president and secretary of the Women�s Study and Research Centre of Mangaldai College respectively and its members, namely Dr Manju Rani Kalita and Dr Kunjalata Baruah, president of Crystal Vision, Mayukh Goswami and teacher Chandra Prasad Saikia, among others.
The meeting, sponsored by ASTEC and Science and Technology Development Department, Assam, was attended by more than 100 students and teachers, besides members of the local public.
Birthday celebrated: In the meantime, the inmates and workers of Kasturi Sishu Griha, a government recognised childcare institution under SCPS, Assam, observed their foundation day at its rented premises near Bamunpara here on Wednesday.
The children of the home celebrated the day by ceremonially cutting a special cake and presenting different cultural items before the audience assembled on the occasion.
In this connection a public function was held where several invited guests, including Mangaldai legislator Gurujyoti Das, Associate Professor of Sam Houston State University, USA, Dr Hiranya Kumar Nath, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Darrang Kalpana Deka, Chief Judicial Magistrate Bijay Sing, Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, prominent industrialist Anupam Deka, Darrang AASU president Khanindra Rajbongshi, national award recipient teacher Sasanka Hazarika, president of the managing committee of the children home Dr Radhika Devi and member of JJB Luffur Rahman, among others, were present.
Speaking on the occasion, legislator Gurujyoti Das, who is also a member of the Assam State Assembly Child Protection Committee observed that every child has the right to live in a free and fair atmosphere where they can enjoy their life without fear.
Referring to the government�s support in running the recognised children homes, he said that efforts are on to release financial grants to these institutions on a regular basis.
�These institutions are getting fund on instalment basis. Kasturi Sishu Griha received a yearly grant of Rs 12 lakh from the Government in 2018 and was awaiting release of this year�s grant,� informed Das while quoting sources of the Sishu Griha.
In the meantime, legislator Das was hopeful that a conducive atmosphere for all the inmates of the children home would prevail and it will be possible for each of them to enjoy the warmth of parental care.
Dr Hiranya Kumar Nath too spoke a few words on the occasion. ADC Kalpana Deka highlighted how Kasturi Sishu Griha of Mangaldai Mahila Kalyan Samaj and Aai, a specialised adoption agency under Crystal Vision, have developed as assets in quality childcare and protection within the district.
Earlier, Rashmi Rekha Sarma, coordinator of Kasturi Sishu Griha, while throwing light on the brief history of the celebration, informed the august audience that the celebration was linked with the birthday of the seven-year-old youngest inmate of the institution.
