Science and War

Points: War today totally different from war in the past — War now a highly technical business — Science should help peace instead of war.

            War in modern times is completely different from the local fights of the earlier times. Now war is a highly technical operation. It s not all expensive, it is mechanical and depends much on science. The art of war has now become the science of warfare. All the modern inventions to science are made use of in a modern war.
            War is a now a push-button affair. Missiles are thrown from a long distance. The army men are just technicians of war. The air force is manned by a highly specialized team. What is more, the nuclear power is now harnessed for destruction. The atom bomb that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki are nothing compared with those that are being stockpiled by USA and USSR.
            But must science be destructive? Was science designed primarily for war? If not, why is science today aiding and abetting the war- mongers? These questions are very relevant in the context of the modern world. It is for man to turn ‘science for war’ into ‘science for peace’. He can turn swords into ploughshares and turn all battlefields into source of food grains.

A Journey in A Crowded Bus

Points: No bus but crowded — Narrow space inside — A clumsy incident.

            Now-a-days all buses are crowded. Any journey by bus will be journey in a crowded bus. Only those who live near a bus terminus can be sure of getting a seat in the bus.
            I wonder how the conductor manages to walk up and down the floor of the bus which is over packed. It always creates a problem when some passenger tries to get down or get up. The ladies have it worst if it is office time. While passengers quarrel with one another, pickpockets quietly rob them of their purses.
            The other day I was going in a crowded bus to my uncle’s place. One gentleman was carrying a suitcase with him. It caused great inconvenience to others. But the gentleman paid no heed to others’ grievances.  At one stage a baby was badly hurt when his suitcase struck the baby. At this the other passengers got furious. Many abuses were hurled on him, and one young man was angry that he forcibly threw out the suitcase. The gentleman thundered in rage and a perfect pandemonium prevailed for some time. The bus conductor remained a dumb spectator. He was neutral to the passengers quarrel. And just when the noise subsided he began to collect tickets. I will never forget that journey and the strange experience I had as one of the passengers.

Science is a Good Servant but a Bad Master

Points: Ours is an age of science — Good and bad uses of science — Stress to be laid on the quality of man.

            Modern age is the age of science. From morning till next morning our life is helped and guided by science. Our fans are moved by electricity and aero planes are driven by petrol. We talk to friends through telephone and read newspapers which are printed by i rotary machine, Science is our excellent servant.
            But science has become so specialized and so complex that at times it seems uncontrollable. The war machines produce deadly weapons. Atom and Hydrogen bombs may destroy the entire population of the earth. Man is becoming more and more mechanized. A day may come when man will be just like robot. Our dependence on science may make us a servant of science. Unless we keep our control over science, science may be a destructive force, the worst master, a monster, a Frankenstein.
            When an Indian, Rakesh Sharma, goes to the space, we feel proud. His camera takes photographs of the difficult regions and thus helps us explore new natural resources. But if from a similar satellite deadly missile are thrown by an enemy, the picture becomes different. It is man who will ultimately make good or bad use of science. Therefore, as science develops we should pay more and more attention to man.

The Problem of Robbery in a Running Train

Points: Hazards of train journey — Operation of criminal gangs — drastic measures to be taken and public opinion to be mobilized.

            Train journey is no longer comfortable. Like crowded buses and mini-buses, over-crowded trains also have become normal scenes. What is more, journeys are no longer safe. Pickpockets and pilferers are thriving. In more recent limes, robbery in trains has become frequent.
            Organized gangs seem to operate in certain sections of railways. They commit dacoity in a running train, then pull chain and decamp. People complain that some railway men have connection with these gangs. Railway police seems to be either helpless or inadequate.
            Drastic steps must be taken and exemplary punishments given to the criminals to stop robbery in a running train. If we cannot give protection to passengers, we are not a civilized nation. There, should be special arrangement for armed guards in all trains, if necessary. Public opinion should be organized against such gangsterism. Newspapers have an important role in this. Resistance to robbery by the public should be more active than passive. Sometimes foreigners become victims to robbery and they carry a poor impression of our country. The government must take an all-out effort’s to stop robbery in both local and long-distance trains.