Ancient 'Scientific' Theories need Research

Panaji, Feb 3 (IANS) Ancient 'scientific' theories, similar to the one referred to by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently, need to be researched, said the organiser of a three-day national-level science conference due to be held in Goa later this week.

Modi had said plastic surgeons had fitted an elephant's head on the decapitated body of Ganesha.

Addressing a press conference here, Jayant Sahasrabuddhe said that one did not need the Ganesha analogy to prove plastic surgery existed in ancient India, because "throughout the world, people have accepted Sushruta as the father of modern plastic surgery".

In October last year, Modi during a speech in the national capital had linked Lord Ganesha, a revered Indian deity with a human body and the head of an elephant, to the science of plastic surgery.

"We worship Lord Ganesh. There must have been some plastic surgeon at that time who got an elephant's head on the body of a human being and began the practice of plastic surgery," Modi had said.

When asked if ancient science concepts similar to the one presented by Modi needed to be invested in and researched, Sahasrabuddhe, an Indian Institute of Technology (Bombay) alumnus, said: "Yes, certainly."

"I don't know about what happened with Ganesha, but it is common knowledge in all text books, not only in our country, but throughout the world that the father of plastic surgery is (sage) Sushruta."

Sage Sushruta was a medical practitioner, who practised the craft around 6 BC.

The three-day conference "Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan and Expo", which begins in Goa Feb 6, will have scientists from over 24 states and two union territories converging here to discuss both ancient as well as modern sciences.

The conference will also exhibit Defence and Research Development Organisation manufactured missiles, a Mars model, radar technology, robots used for security purposes at the venue.