Rakesh Sharma Calls for Sustainable Science
CSIR–NGRI Director Dr Prakash Kumar said CSIR has played a key role in nationbuilding through mission‑oriented research.
Hyderabad: Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (Retd), Ashok Chakra awardee and the first Indian to travel to space, urged the scientific community to place sustainability and societal needs at the centre of research while addressing the 84th Foundation Day celebrations of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at the CSIR–National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI).
Delivering the Foundation Day lecture titled “Challenges Facing Human Civilisation on Planet Earth,” Sharma reflected on the evolution of civilisation, the current environmental crisis and the responsibility of science in shaping the future. He cautioned against unchecked development and greed, citing climate change, pollution, water scarcity and unemployment as pressing challenges.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said the Earth has enough resources to meet everyone’s needs but not everyone’s greed, stressing that protecting fragile ecosystems must become humanity’s top priority. He underlined the relevance of India’s civilisational philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, calling it a guiding principle for global harmony, science and space exploration.
Highlighting India’s space journey, Sharma recalled the vision of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, who believed in science for all, and noted that India’s space programme was designed to serve society through applications such as telecommunications, telemedicine and tele‑education. He said space science and technology play a critical role in informed decision‑making and sustainable development, adding that space belongs to all humankind and global cooperation is essential.
Welcoming the gathering, CSIR–NGRI Director Dr Prakash Kumar said CSIR has played a key role in nationbuilding through mission‑oriented research. He stressed the need for scientists to align research with national priorities, particularly in areas such as groundwater recharge and sustainable resource management in arid regions. Recalling Sharma’s iconic words “Saare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Hamara,” spoken from space, he said they continue to inspire generations of scientists.