Benito Z. Swu
It is said that religion has two components, theology and spirituality. Even though theology is unique to every religion, the spiritual component spreads the value to be inculcated by human beings for promoting a good human life and welfare of the society, while pursuing the material life. Many a times, many of us, even if not by intent, let the theological override the spiritual component, and thereby miss-out on the real value and blessings that the religion envisages. It is, therefore, the theological component of religion taking precedence over the spiritual, to which can be attributed all the intolerances thus harming the secular fabric and giving space to the many “isms” to breed.
Science, as we know in itself, is also said to be having a theological and spiritual component of its own. It is this spiritual component of science which runs parallel with the spiritual component of religion, both of which is for promoting a good human life and welfare of the society, while pursuing the material life. Here is an account of how religion and science came together in a big mission.It was in the early 1960’s when the founder of the Indian Space Research Programme, Prof. Vikram Sarabhai, with his team, located a place called Thumba in Kerala. After considering many alternatives, Thumba was found to be technically most suited for space research as it was near the magnetic equator, ideally suited for ionospheric and electrojet research in the upper atmosphere. The major challenge for Prof. Vikram was to get the place. As was the normal procedure, Prof. Vikram Sarabhai approached the Kerala Government. The Government, on seeing the profile of the land and the sea coast saw that besides thousands of fishing folks living there, the place had an ancient St. Mary Magdalene Church, the Bishop’s House and a full-fledged school. The political system, as it is, opined how difficult and literally impossible it would be to acquire the place due to the existence of important institutions and the burden of people getting relocated. However, there was a suggestion to approach the only person who could advise and help – Bishop Rev. Father Peter Bernard Pereira. Prof. Vikram Sarabhai approached the Bishop on a Saturday evening for the same. The Bishop is said to have then exclaimed, “Oh Prof. you are asking my children’s abode, my abode and my God’s abode. How is it possible?” Both had a unique quality that they could smile even in difficult situations.
The Bishop Rev. Father Peter Bernard Periera, however, asked Prof. Vikram Sarabhai to come to church on Sunday morning at 9.00 AM. The next day, Prof. Vikram went to the church with his team. Taking time out from the church proceeding, the Bishop invited Prof. Vikram Sarabhai to come over to the dais. The Rev. Father introduced Prof. Vikram Sarabhai to the mass, “Dear children, here is a scientist, Prof. Vikram Sarabhai. What do sciences do? All of us experience, including this church, the light from electricity. I am able to talk to you through the mike which is made possible by technology. The treatment to patients by doctors comes from medical science. Science through technology enhances the comfort and quality of human life. What do I do, as a preacher? I pray for you, for your well being, for your peace. In short, what Vikram is doing and what I am doing are the same – both science and spirituality seek the Almighty’s blessings for human prosperity in body and mind. Dear Children, Prof. Vikram says, he will build within a year, alternative facilities to what we have now. Now dear children, can we give our abode, can we give my abode, can we give the God’s abode for a great scientific mission?” There was a total silence, deafening silence. Then all of them got up and said “Amen” which reverberated the whole church.
This St. Mary Magdalene Church was where the Indian Space Research Programme had its design centre, where the rocket assembly was started, and the Bishop’s house became the scientists’ working place. Later the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching station (TERLS) led to the establishment of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the space activities transformed into multiple space centers throughout the country. Now this church has become an important centre of learning, where thousands of people learn about the dynamic history of the space programme of India and the great minds of a scientist and a spiritual leader. Of course, the Thumba citizens got the well equipped facilities, a worshipping place and an educational centre in an alternative place at the right time.
When we think of this event, we can see how enlightened spiritual and scientific leaders can converge towards giving reverence to the human life. The birth of the TERLS and then the VSSC gave India the capability for launch vehicles, spacecraft and space applications that have accelerated both social and economic development to unprecedented levels.
This one event demonstrates how, by bridging the spiritual component of religion and science can peace, progress and prosperity be achieved.
