Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and

security of the nation

Introduction
During 18th century, industrial revolution in Europe led to nations
to high growth and development which helped them enhance
their reach all over the globe, helped raise the living standards of
citizen of Europe and this was achieved due to advancement of
Science and technology. India during ancient time was a pioneer
in science and technology which was witnessed from still standing
monolithic rails of Maurya dynasty, the art and architecture of
medieval times- use of stone as raw material, concept of zero by
Aryabhatta etc. During the time of industrial revolution, India was
still using primitive methods of production and cultivation,
primitive arms and ammunition, which led to domination of
European countries over India leading to slavery and widespread
exploitation of resources by colonialists.
Science has contributed greatly in providing security to country in
terms of the parameter like physical security- better military
armaments and equipements, economic security- improved
methods of production technology and govt services, food
security- by raising the crop yield and better produce to farmers,
social security- better medical facilities to citizens, longer life
expectancy, reduction in death by epidemics etc.
Science can never alone act as driver of growth it requires
complementary policy and guidliness which could realize its
potential. Europe was able to benefit from newer technology
because it complemented it with required policy driven changes
like skill development, education , trickle down of technology to
poor sections etc.
Economic Growth
Growth refers to positive change in size during a period of time.
Science and technology is enabler of growth and development by
better means of production, cultivation, rational and practical
application methods, innovative technology . One of major criteria

for difference between developed and a developing country is

advancement in science and technology by developed countries.
Economic growth is directly linked to science and technology as it
acts as enabler to enhance the productivity of system and
processes. Improvement in methods of production by use of
automated machines has led to use the constrained natural
resoruces more productively and reduced the involvement of
human labour. Thus increasing out comfort and standards.
Science and technology make the nation self-reliant and reduce
the dependence on other countries. The Make in India programme
of govt is one of flagship schemes where science and technology
plays most prominent part in developing India as manufacturing
hub in world.
Poverty is inversely linked to economic growth of country, higher
the economic growth lower the poverty level. But this requires
that use of better technology reach to lower levels of section of
society otherwise it will increase the disparity within the country.
Science and technology can provide better living standards to
poor only when it is coupled with policy changes like skill
development , education, hygiene and sanitation, availability of
cheap medical services etc.
Also, Technology cannot implement in itself on its own but
requires proper implementation in society. Improper use of
technology will not benefit the society indeed act as impediment
for its growth. Like for example heavy automation of industrial
plants without skill development of labour will lead to widespread
unemployment in country leading to poverty. Without skill
development of labour workforce , the technology cannot be
suitably applied all over the country leading to unproductive use
of technology.
Governance
IT infrastructure in govt services has made citizen more informed
which is one of pillars of democracy. Transparency and
accountability of govt services by application of E-governance
projects has led citizen to make informed decisions. Science and

technology has led to seamless flow of information from govt to

citizens by use mobiles, internet , television etc.
Climate change and environment
One of biggest problems of 21st century is climate change which
can be only tackled through better technologies and green
technologies. Harnessing renewable sources of energy has been
possible through use of innovative technology which act as major
mitigation agent to climate change. Climate change possess
serious threats to country by coastal erosion by rise in sea level ,
melting of glaciers leading to rise in water level of rivers causing
widespread damages by flooding etc. this bears direct burden on
agriculture by erratic monsoons and soil erosions. The most
important factor being monsoon pattern which is being affected
by climate change and India being rainfed country greatly
depends on monsoon rainfall. Science and technology can help
us avert this damages by providing better resilient crops ,
efficient use of water resources like micro irrigation, high yielding
variety seeds etc.
Use of space technology for forecasting cyclones , weather
patterns has greatly helped in mitigation of disasters. Weather
forecasting avialble in advance to ground force help in disaster
preparedness and reducing the loss of human lives to great
extent. The biggest example being prediction of Phailin cyclone
helped the country to rescue all its citizens from area thus
averting the hazard turning into disaster. So here also technology
alone cannot avert disaster but requires sufficient ground
administration and planning to reap the benefits of information
provided by newer technologies
Food security
The rising population of greatly posses a big threat to food
security of country. Since time of independence out net area
under cultivation has remained more or less stangnant yet our
food production has increased three- four times in last four
decades. This has been possible due to application of science and
technology in field of agriculture which during 1960s was termed

as Green revolution. Since India is mostly rainfed country and

agriculture being primary source of income for 60% of population,
vagaries of monsoons can only be eliminated through use of
better technologies like irrigation , biotechnological produced
seeds, fertilizers , mechanization etc.
Also, science has made available better weather forecasting
techniques which provides farmer information regarding the
quantum of monsoon and enables him to plan accordingly. Timely
information regarding weather conditions has greatly improved
the lives of farmers who are now not fully dependent on vagaries
of monsoon. Agriculture being one of biggest employer in country
has direct bearing in economic growth of country and with help of
better science and technology only agriculture can prosper
helping millions in country to improve their standard of living and
reducing rural poverty.
Science can only act as enabler to better productivity, its
implementation matter the most and its forward and backward
linkages . Science can make available better seeds , fertilizers ,
weather forecasts etc but only when farmer is capable of applying
these into fields, its benefits can be reaped. This requires better
policy provisions which will educate farmer how to use these
technology because technology cannot implement on its own. So
science alone can never help is raising the growth of sector unless
its guided by proper implementation channel.
Internal and external security
With rising threats from terrorism and insurgency issues, these
create a vast challenge to countrys internal security. Here also
science and technology play major role in providing country with
better equipments and armaments to tackle these threats. With
evolution of technology and use of artificial intelligence has led to
use of unmanned weapons which neutralize threats automatically
as they come under its range. The increasing allocation for
research and development in defence budget shows the
importance of newer technology in field of security. With help of
science it is now possible to guard the difficult areas such as

Siachen glaciers by providing military with resources as height of

6Kms.
The use of science and technology is important factor because
the same weapon which acts as deterrent , creating peace also
acts as weapons of mass destruction. Development of better
defence technology has also led to arms race between countries
thus giving threat to world peace. Advent of nuclear weapons by
developed country has led to growing demand of developing
countries to develop this for their own security. But this possess a
great risk if they fall into hands to insurgents, terrorists, rebels
etc. though science provides for advancement in security, it is
intricately linked to use to such technology which will lead to
security of nation.
Energy Security
India being developing country and one largest importer of
energy, providing energy security to its citizens is biggest
challenge . Science can help to achieve it by providing technology
for efficiently harnessing its energy resources like extraction of
shale gas, coal bed methane, nuclear power production which
require advanced technology. These energy resources are also
greener in respect of conventional resources thus also help in
mitigating climate change also. Use of renewable energy
resources has been possible due to advancement in science and
technology. But these technology is available with developed
countries and extremely expensive to developing nations as these
have to balance it with other developmental needs of country like
social security, poverty alleviation etc.
Also use of these technology possess new type of risk associated
with harnessing them such as wide spread destruction upon
uncontrolled usage like Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine
(1984). So, availability of technology as right price plays an
important role in energy security not just development of
technology. Supporting policies like favourable land acquisition,
environmental impact assement is also required to reap the
benefits of newer technology by its citizens otherwise it will

benefit only small section of society while damaging near by

environment.
Social Security
Providing better living conditions to citizens has been one of long
term goals of development for country. Life expectancy being at
32 years during independence has now increased to around 62
years in current time has been achieved with help of
advancement is field of medical sciences, better provisions of
sanitation, hygiene etc. concept of smart city given by govt is also
based on making a city resilient to shocks by use of adaptable
technologies. Newer medicines has reduced the spread to disease
epidemics.
Science and technology has greatly helped in growth and
development of nation i.e. from food deficient country to self
sufficient country, increasing life expextancy and better living
conditions of citizen, reducing poverty levels, mitigating climate
change. Technology has also enabled to maintain world peace and
internal security of nation by providing it with advanced weapons
to reach new heights in sky. But Science and technology act as
enabler to these because they alone cannot work unless
complemented by sufficient policy driven changes like skill
development, education etc.So , Science and technology is
essential for growth and development but not panacea since it
alone can never lead to betterment of lives of its citizens.d