Thiruvananthapuram:Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has stated that despite significant achievements in the field of science and technology, the country cannot still predict natural disasters in advance.
He emphasized that it is a matter of concern that the country cannot predict natural disasters with precision and accordingly formulate defensive measures to protect people’s property and lives. General warnings are not sufficient; accurate predictions are essential to prevent disasters, as demonstrated by experiences globally. The Chief Minister asserted that India needs to take necessary actions to reach that level.
In the context of the Wayanad disaster, he mentioned that the Independence Day celebrations are marked by a deep sense of sorrow. He reminded us that this year’s celebrations should energize collective efforts for the survival of the nation.
“The questions at this stage are: What were our dreams during the struggle for independent India, what have we managed to achieve from them, what remains to be achieved, and what actions need to be taken for that? These questions are relevant now. Over the past 78 years, India has managed to preserve and improve its democratic system. Many countries that gained independence around the same time have faced situations where democracy was undermined. However, during challenging times, the Indian people have remained vigilant. Each Indian has a responsibility to ensure that such vigilance continues, and this reminder is part of each Independence Day.”
He noted that India today excels in various sectors, including literacy, education, health, hunger, housing, agriculture, production, industry, and services. India is a hub for IT and startups and has achieved commendable progress in space science and technology. At the same time, there is a growing concern about a decline in public scientific awareness. The resurgence of superstitions, outdated practices, and the use of caste and communal divisions as tools to revert to the darkness of earlier times endangers our secularism. Addressing how to effectively overcome this issue needs to be specifically evaluated. The regressive tendencies in scientific awareness and the rise of divisive tendencies create conditions that adversely affect national unity and integrity. We must be cautious not to let such tendencies harm the country’s unity and integrity. It is essential to stand in solidarity with people facing discrimination and excesses and to protect their rights and ensure their existence. Only then can the nation progress,” the Chief Minister said.