Mumbai: Union minister for science and technology Harsh Vardhan on Saturday indicated that mathematical concepts like the Pythagoras theorem and algebra were first invented by Indians, but we had “sophisticatedly” allowed Greeks and Arabs to stake claim to the same. Mr Vardhan was speaking at the inauguration of the 102nd Indian Science Congress.
“We have shared selflessly with the whole world. We have always believed in the theory of Vasudhaiva Kutambkam (the world is one family) and have always used our knowledge for improving the welfare of mankind.
Our scientists discovered the Pythagoras theorem but we very sophisticatedly gave its credit to the Greeks. We all know that we knew beej ganit (Algebra) much before the Arabs, but very sophisticatedly we allowed this to be called Al Jabr, or algebra. I think this is the grace that the Indian scientific community has always maintained (sic),” Dr Vardhan said.
Pointing to the fact that the country owes its progress to scientific innovations made by scientists in the country, Dr Vardhan said that it was time that the nation goes on to the next level and be counted among the top nations to promote science and technology.
Elaborating on the using it to find alternate sources of energy, Dr Vardhan urged scientists to get new technologies and also said that solar energy should be tapped.
