Progress of Science and Technology

Nehru believed that science and technology were crucial to the solution of India’s problems. The Scientific Policy Resolution, acknowledging the role of science and technology in the economic, social and cultural advancement of the country, was passed by the Lok Sabha in March 1958. But prior to the passing of SPR in 1958 many scientific and technological institutes were set up in the country. To emphasise the value of science and scientific research, Nehru himself assumed the chairmanship of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Some of the strides taken in this direction, are given below.

● In January 1947, to promote self-sustaining, scientific and technological growth, the National Physical Laboratory— India’s first national laboratory—was set up; which was followed by the setting up of a network of seventeen national laboratories, focusing on different areas of research.

● In 1952, the first of the five institutes of technology, patterned after the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was set up at Kharagpur.

● The Atomic Energy Commission, headed by Homi J. Bhabha, was set up in August 1948. Nehru personally encouraged Bhabha to do his best. In 1954, the government created a separate Department of Atomic Energy with Homi Bhabha as secretary. In August 1956, India’s first nuclear reactor in Trombay (Asia’s first also), became critical.

● In 1962, the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), together with a Rocket Launching Facility at Thumba (TERLS), was established.

● Steps were taken to increase India’s capacity in production of defence equipment.

● A change over to decimal coinage and a metric system of weights and measures, in line with international standards, was made in phases between 1955 and 1962.