He has an irresistible longing to understand the secrets of nature even though he retired six years ago. For him, scepticism is the highest of duties and blind faith, the one unpardonable sin. Believing in intuition and inspiration, he considers imagination more important than knowledge. “Let me say it in Albert Einstein’s words,” states Shrikant Shambhu Nagvenkar, a lover of science, who further expresses, “Knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research.”
A voracious reader and an extensive writer, Shrikant has penned numerous books on science and two of his recent ones “ ‘Vidnyan Geeta’ and ‘Vidnyan Saksharata’ “ are under publication. He has been passionately writing articles and columns on science in newspapers and magazines along with scripting plays and conducting programmes on science for radio and television “ for creating awareness and inculcating scientific temper among young children.
How did Shrikant, the eldest in 10 siblings turn to science? “As a child I was lonely, shy, introvert and depressed. We were 10 siblings and my mother Gangabai remained busy in household chores. She could not spend quality time with me but my grandmother did tell me stories. However instead of influencing me, her spiritual stories enhanced my imagination power. My mind began to question. It stored a list of never ending questions about everything around me and I fumbled for answers,” recalls Shrikant.
However it was his school headmaster, Shambhu Amonkar, who exhibited scientific temper, who came to his aid. He developed Shrikant’s own enthusiasm in science to seek the right answers. Realising that science is the solution for everything, little Shrikant developed a deep interest in it which in his later life turned him to be an atheist “ a non-believer in God. Despite his poor financial condition, his urge compelled him to continue education.
“My interaction with comrades Shamrao Madkaikar, Narayan Desai, Narayan Palekar who offered lectures on communism at Margao Café developed spirit of nationalism in me along with atheism. A reformist, I was against idol worship. The social awareness increased. My professor Dr Aroon Hebalkar and our principal Devidas Malkarnekar at Chowgule College went out of the text books and taught us. They made the subject interesting and this fuelled my interest in science all the more,” shares Shrikant who after graduation, embraced the noble profession “ that of a teacher in 1974.
Shrikant was lucky to have a principal like G R Sardesai and colleagues Vishwas Sadhale and Govind Shirodkar who extended full co-operation to initiate innovative projects like science exhibition which was a grand success for 12 years “ 1980-93. As the president and secretary of All Goa Science Teachers’ Association, Shrikant’s decade long efforts helped to create scientific temper in school children.
Shrikant and his dedicated team carried on various activities like open wide science laboratory which held workshops for primary teachers, sending postcards to different scientists in India, activation of around 100 science clubs across Goa, publishing magazines on science, overnight camps for school children in various villages and holding children’s science congress which was a national movement etc. National Council of Science and Technology Communication at New Delhi was the main body that aided the team in their activities, provided funds and guidance. Progress High School in Panaji, science activities and Goa “ all became synonymous.
Supported by the department of Science, Technology and Environment, Goa government and National Council of Science and Technology, New Delhi, he strived to promote science in the state. His books, ‘A Science Show’ and ‘Khagolshastriya Natyangan’ as well as a translation of a Kannada book ‘Randevata’ are important milestones. His column, ‘Little Scientist Corner’ was a popular one in a local newspaper. He bagged Goa government's Best Teacher award in 2005. The same year Konkani Bhasha Mandal announced him as the best column writer. In 2008, he got Guruvarya “ Shridhar Vishnu Ghate Best Maths Teacher award given each year by Mahila Nutan English High School Margao. Friends of Astronomy, where he was the vice-president for years, also appreciated his contribution towards science in 2015.
Shrikant’s serials on science on All India Radio, Panaji and his science programmes on Goa Doordarshan were popular among school children. He wrote 100 short plays, 25 each on four subjects “ Astronomy, Maths, Chemistry and Atom which were broadcast weekly on AIR. This science social club expert also did 100 demonstrations and science shows in various schools and wrote extensively on science all his life. He also framed the guidelines for NCERT's Science Club.
“The important thing in children is to not stop questioning,” advises Shrikant, adding, “Even at 66, I cannot help but be in awe when I contemplates the mysteries of eternity and of life. Isn’t it enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day?”
Photo Credit: Narayan Pissurlekar
