• UGI USER
  • May 02, 2024
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SUNLIGHT, SCIENCE & STATE:PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS’ ROLE IN SURYA TILAK PROJECT SPARKS DEBATE

Syllabus:

GS-II:

Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects

Why in the news?

Surya Tilak project at Ram temple prompts scrutiny over involvement of publicly funded institutions, challenging secular norms.

source:scllorden

Focus:

  • The Surya Tilak project at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has garnered public interest recently due to its unique nature.
  • It involves directing sunlight onto the forehead of the idol during the festival of Ram Navami using a specially designed mechanism.
  • The festival follows a lunisolar calendar, making the calculation of the appropriate date a challenging task.
  • The project requires precise calculations and design to ensure that sunlight falls accurately on the idol each year.
What is the Surya Tilak Project?

  • Project Name: Surya Tilak Project
  • Location: Ayodhya
  • Objective: To illuminate the forehead of Lord Ram’s idol with sunlight during Ram Navami.
  • Nature: Fusion of technology and tradition.
  • Implementation: Meticulously engineered to ensure a precise beam of sunlight on the idol’s forehead.
  • Institutional Involvement: Led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) under the Department of Science and Technology.

About Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA):

  • Establishment: Founded in 1786 in Madras, relocated to Kodaikanal in 1899.
  • Autonomy: Became the autonomous Indian Institute of Astrophysics in 1971.
  • Headquarters: Currently located in Bengaluru.
  • Funding: Supported by the Department of Science and Technology.
  • Activities: Conducts research and education in astronomy and physics.
  • Observing Facilities: Main facilities at Kodaikanal, Kavalur, Gauribidanur, and Hanle.
  • Research Focus: Includes observational solar and atmospheric physics, nighttime astronomy, and instrument development.

What is the Uniqueness of Ram Temple?

  • Traditional Architecture: Built in Nagara style with pink sandstone from Mirzapur and Bansi-Paharpur hills.
  • Dimensions: Spans 250 feet in width and 161 feet in height, covering 2.67 acres with 390 pillars, 46 doorways, and 5 mandaps.
  • Unique Features: Includes the main Garbh Griha housing Ram Lalla’s idols, Rang Mandap, and Nritya Mandap.
  • Anointment Tradition: Utilises mirrors and lenses to focus sunlight on Ram Lalla’s idol during Ram Navami, using brass instead of iron or steel.
  • Sculptor’s Contribution: Idol crafted by Mysuru sculptor Arun Yogiraj, consecrated at 51 inches.
  • Durability: Constructed without iron, aimed to last at least a millennium, embodying cultural and religious symbolism.

About The Surya Tilak Project: Examining the Role of Publicly Funded Institutions:

  • Involvement of Publicly Funded Institutions:
  • The necessary equipment for the project was set up by scientists and engineers from two government-funded organisations, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru and the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee.
  • IIA is an autonomous institute funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), while CBRI is a government institution under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
  • The involvement of these institutions raises questions about the appropriateness of government-funded bodies participating in projects with explicit politico-religious connotations.
  • Public institutions have traditionally refrained from engaging in explicitly religious activities to uphold the secular character of the state.
  • Challenges and Technical Expertise:
  • The project entails complex calculations and design to ensure that sunlight falls precisely on the idol’s forehead each year.
  • Calculations for a lunisolar calendar can be challenging but are feasible with modern technology and apps.
  • The design of the mechanism requires expertise in optics, telescopes, and precision engineering.
  • Scientists and engineers at the involved institutions showcased their technical skills in designing and setting up the mechanism.
  • The project highlights the intersection of science, technology, and religious beliefs, posing challenges for maintaining the secular character of public institutions.
  • Ethical and Constitutional Considerations:
  • The involvement of publicly funded institutions in a project with explicit religio-political overtones raises ethical and constitutional concerns.
  • Since independence, India has largely adhered to the principle of secularism, prohibiting public institutions from engaging in explicitly religious activities.
  • The Surya Tilak project blurs the line between religion and science, challenging the ethical and constitutional norms of the country.
  • The project’s endorsement by government-funded bodies raises questions about the neutrality and secular character of public institutions.
  • It underscores the need to uphold the principles of secularism and avoid the politicisation of scientific research and institutions.
  • Alternative Approaches:
  • The Ram temple authority could have organised a competition to find technical solutions for the project, funded by private individuals or the temple trust.
  • Scientists associated with institutions like IIA could have volunteered to evaluate and implement the solutions independently.
  • Leveraging resources like Atal Tinkering Laboratories could have facilitated the hardware implementation of the chosen design without involving government-funded bodies.
  • Exploring alternative approaches would have avoided the politicisation of scientific institutions and upheld the secular ethos of the state.

Conclusion:

  • The Surya Tilak project exemplifies the complex interplay between science, religion, and politics in India.
  • The involvement of publicly funded institutions raises questions about the secular character and neutrality of such bodies.
  • It underscores the importance of upholding ethical and constitutional norms in scientific research and institution-building.
  • Exploring alternative approaches could help prevent the politicisation of public institutions and uphold the secular ethos of the country.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sun-science-at-ayodhya-iia-work-critical-in-project-surya-tilak/articleshow/109374128.cms

Mains Practice Question:

Critically analyse the ethical and constitutional dimensions of publicly-funded institutions’ participation in religious projects, as illustrated by the Surya Tilak initiative discussed by Gautam I Menon. Evaluate the challenges to secularism and state neutrality, and propose alternative strategies to ensure the adherence to constitutional principles in such contexts.