M.P. Parameswaran: Science, Society and Social Transformation

M.P. Parameswaran: Science, Society and Social Transformation

Why in the News ?

M.P. Parameswaran, former nuclear scientist, Marxist theorist and prominent people’s science activist, passed away at 92 in Thrissur. His contributions to Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP), literacy campaigns, environmental issues and science popularisation remain significant to India’s people’s science movement.

Scientific Career and Intellectual Journey:

●      Early life and education: Born on 18 January 1935 in Thrissur district, Kerala; obtained an Engineering degree from College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, in 1956.

●      Nuclear engineering: Completed his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the Moscow Power Institute in 1965.

●      BARC association: Worked at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, from 1957 to 1975 as a nuclear scientist.

●      Shift towards social activism: After leaving BARC in 1975, he devoted himself to people’s science, social development and public education.

●      His intellectual interests covered science, environment, energy, education and rural development, reflecting his belief that scientific knowledge should contribute to social progress.

Political Thought and Enduring Legacy

●      Parameswaran also emerged as a prominent Marxist thinker and contributed significantly to debates concerning India’s development model and social structure.

●      His concept of the “Fourth World” generated considerable political and intellectual debate and eventually contributed to his expulsion from the CPI(M) in 2004.

●      His career demonstrates an unusual transition from nuclear science to public science activism, connecting scientific knowledge with grassroots social concerns.

●      His work helped strengthen the idea that scientific temper, literacy and public participation are essential for a democratic society.

●      His legacy lies in combining scientific expertise, social activism and public education, particularly through movements that sought to take scientific knowledge beyond laboratories and into communities.

 

About People’s Science Movement in India:

●      Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP): Parameswaran was among its earliest and most prominent members. KSSP worked to popularise scientific thinking and make science accessible to ordinary citizens.

●      Science and society: He advocated the use of science and technology for social justice, sustainable development and improvement of living conditions, rather than treating science merely as an elite pursuit.

●      All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN): He played an important role in establishing this national network connecting various people’s science organisations.

●      Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti: He contributed to building the organisation that conducted large-scale literacy campaigns across India.

●      Intellectual contributions: His writings addressed diverse subjects and encouraged public debate on development, environment, energy and social transformation.