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PARTNERSHIP FOR PROGRESS
WE, THE SCIENTISTS AND TECHNOLOGISTS OF INDIA, CALL FOR A CHANGE
IN THE DEVELOPMENT APPROACH OF INDIA TO FIT MORE CLOSELY WITH
HER NEEDS AND VALUES AND WITH THE BEST OF THE MODERN TRENDS
AND TOOLS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS
AND THE REST OF THE SOCIETY FORM A COMPLEMENTARY SYSTEM, SUSTAINING
ONE ANOTHER. AT THIS CRITICAL PERIOD OF TRANSFORMATIONAL STRESSES
AND UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITIES IN HUMAN HISTORY WE THE PROFESSIONALS
IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PARTNERSHIP
FOR PROGRESS WITH THE PEOPLE. WE PLEDGE TO TAKE THE EXTRA STEPS
NECESSARY TO BRING THE BENEFITS OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND
MOTIVATION TO OUR LESS PRIVILEGED PEOPLE TO PROGRESS TOGETHER
TOWARDS THE VISION OF A WORLD OF SELF-EMPOWERED PEOPLE. WE REDEDICATE
OUR CREATIVE TALENTS TO THE OBJECTIVE OF DEVELOPING TOOLS AND
METHODS THAT WOULD HELP IN THE SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT AND SELF-LIBERATION
OF ALL PEOPLE BY PROMOTING SELF-RELIANCE. WE WILL CONDUCT OURSELVES
IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO BE WORTHY ROLE MODELS FOR SWARAJ OR SELF-MANAGEMENT
GENERATING SYNERGY, HARMONY AND UNITY. TO ESTABLISH AND SUSTAIN
THE COMPLEMENTARY RELATIONSHIP, WE PROPOSE THAT EACH SCIENTIST
AND TECHNOLOGIST ADOPT A POOR PERSON FROM A REMOTE VILLAGE AS
A PARTNER IN PROGRESS. THROUGH THIS VOLUNTARY PARTNERSHIP WE
WOULD CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERIODIC INTERACTIONS WITH THE
ADOPTED VILLAGER. THIS WOULD BE MADE AN EFFECTIVE MEANS FOR
MUTUAL BENEFITS OF ENLIGHTENMENT, MOTIVATION AND COUNSELLING.
- This Declaration is a brief statement of common intention
of scientists and technologists.
- Partnership for progress assumes that the scientists and
the common citizen need each other for progress.
- Complementary relationship is where one's fulfilment requires
the other. The lack of that awareness and the resulting
shortsighted selfish behaviour cause most of the present
problems. The enlightened scientists should provide the
leadership for the necessary attitude change.
- Mutual Sustenance would be the stable support system in
the long run. This constitutes the basic premise of partnership
for progress.
- Transformational stress is the characteristic of this
age of rapid changes. Many perversities manifest themselves
both in the scientific professions and social relations.
Extra care and effort are required at this critical period
of history to prevent irreversible losses.
- The modern tools and trends of science and technology
present unprecedented opportunities. In the area of communication,
transportation and information, humanity never had it so
good. There is no need for the widespread misery and underdevelopment
at this time.
- Motivation, skill and knowledge get transferred through
mutual contacts. It would happen in the appropriate manner
and time depending on the need and interest.
- Less privileged people constitute the vast majority of
humanity and this is due to the unfair, unbalanced and even
non-existent development to date. The awareness of this
state of affairs would instil an added responsibility in
the scientists who are better off.
- Self-empowerment is the only sustainable means for development.
Helping others to get empowered for their own enlightenment,
liberation and progress is a responsibility scientists and
technologists are well positioned to perform.
- Creative talents are very much in need to come up with
new, novel and potentially useful ideas for developmental
progress and problem solution.
- Self-enlightenment and self-liberation comes through self-empowerment
whether it is with children in school or women in society.
Spoon-feeding does not work and is not necessary.
- Self-reliance is not just an ideal; it is the only long-term,
practical and dependable idea. It does not preclude mutual
co-operation with dignity.
- Role models set examples for others through excellence
and ethics. Professionals in science and technology are
natural role models.
- Swaraj or Self-management in the ambience of complementary
relationships is the ultimate human right. Externally imposed
standards of living and management have no bearing on the
widely differing needs of people. Swaraj belongs only to
empowered, enlightened and liberated people.
- Synergy, harmony and unity are common values of evolved
spirituality and modern science. Indian scientists have
a natural role in bringing out the similarity.
- Scientist-villager partnership will, in due course, eliminate
the widely prevalent alienation and helplessness. The scientists
will be periodically reminded of the ground realities of
the country and the villager will have access to enlightened
advice.
- Adopting a poor person from a remote village involves
establishing a special relationship whose extent and intensity
will depend on the evolving mutual needs. This will be voluntary
and informal.
- Periodic interactions would be through visits and other
contacts. Such interactions will result in quality of life
enhancement, transfer of technology and skill and access
to motivation and counselling
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