New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has come out in support of Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan's remarks at the Indian Science Congress that algebra and the Pythagoras' theorem originated in India.
Tharoor in a tweet said: "Modernists sneering at @drharshvardhan should know he was right, as I pointed out in 2003."
He posted two of his articles published that year in an English daily on the advances of Indian science in ancient India.
"To mock the credulous exaggerations of the Hindutva brigade, you don't need to debunk the genuine accomplishments of ancient Indian science!" Tharoor added.
Harsh Vardhan had said ancient Indian scientists discovered the Pythagoras' theorem but the credit is given to the Greeks.
He said Indians knew 'beejganit' or algebra "much before the Arabs, but very selflessly we allowed it to be called Algebra. This is the base the Indian scientific community has maintained".
He said Indians have never used their scientific knowledge for negative purposes.
Tharoor, remarking on the controversy over right-wing groups linking mythology with scientific exploits, tweeted: "Ganesha plastic surgery theory is absurd, except as a metaphor. But Susruta was world's 1st surgeon."
The reference to plastic surgery was to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on the subject in Mumbai in October last year.
Modi, during a speech at the inauguration of the Reliance hospital, had said ancient Indian civilisation must have been aware of plastic surgery and cited the example of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha.
He had said that according to the Mahabharata, Karna, one of the main characters, was not born out of his mother's womb and suggested that it meant that ancient India was aware of genetic science.
Tharoor was dropped as Congress spokesperson in October after he came out in praise of Modi.
In an article in the Huffington Post, Tharoor had written that Modi remodelled himself from a "hate figure" to an "avatar of modernity and progress" and that it would be "churlish" of the Congress to ignore his "inclusive and accommodative" outreach.
World Cup: This greatest spinner supported the inclusion of Jadeja-Akshar in the team, said this about Chahal-Ashwin
Former Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, one of the greatest spinners in the world, believes that two spinners will be enough in India's playing 11 during the upcoming World Cup. Muthiah
Pakistan: Pakistan begged for talks with India! A former military general said - Media, and business create an environment
The bad economic condition has taken away all the swagger of Pakistan and now it has reached almost begging conditions for talks with India. Let us tell you that a former top Pakistani army officer
PM Modi Cancel All Programs Holi Milan
माइक्रोब्लॉगिंग वेबसाइट ट्विटर पर लेते हुए, मोदी ने वायरस के प्रसार से बचने
Chaitra Navratri 2024: Chaitra Navratri starts today, learn the auspicious time and method of installing the urn
The holy festival of Chaitra Navratri starts on 9th April, in which we can liberate ourselves and our families from physical, divine, and material heat by worshiping the Supreme Brahma Shakti.
Now Facebook will also take money for Blue Tick: Zuckerberg will launch the service this week, starting with Australia and New Zealand
After Twitter, now Facebook and Instagram will also charge money for blue tick verification. Meta's founder Mark Zuckerberg informed about the launch of the subscription service late on Sunday night.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said India is moving fast towards the integration of the three services
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that India is rapidly moving towards "integration" of the three services of the armed forces. The Union Defense Minister said this while addressing a
Policy opportunity knocks for govt in migrant crisis; time's right to think smart districts
शुरुआती गर्मियों में सूरज उन पर धड़कता है, उनके दिलों में वायरस का डर है,
Arvind Kejriwal: Kejriwal is reading books in Tihar Jail, spending most of his time doing yoga and meditating.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is spending most of his time in Tihar Jail meditating, reading books, and doing yoga. Jail sources gave this information on Thursday. Kejriwal, the first sitting
Five held for land fraud in Gurgaon
Gurgaon, March 18 (IANS) Five people, including a woman, have been arrested here for posing as land owners and fraudulently selling a plot, police said on Wednesday.Arshad and Aslam, from Mewat
6GB RAM powerful smartphone launched at just Rs 9,999, this phone will get a challenge
In the budget segment, Infinix has launched its powerful smartphone Infinix Hot 10 in India. This phone is equipped with a punch-hole display, a powerful processor, and a quad-camera setup will be