GrossKolkata, Jan 9 (PTI) Nobel laureate Professor DavidJonathan Gross today said ignorance of other cultures promotesfanatical nationalism and the students have the responsibilityto be forces for enlightment in such an atmosphere.
"The ignorance of other culture promotes fanaticalnationalism and as future citizens you have the responsibilityto be forces for enlightenment in such a situation," Gross,recipient of 2004 Nobel prize in Physics, said in his addressat the 52nd Convocation of Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)here.
"While all of humanity had originated from a singlemother few thousand years ago how can we forget thatand tolerate racism and religious bigotry ... My generationleft for you to deal with massive inequalities which stillexist among nations, the persistent useless war and violenceand danger and fanaticism and terror," he said.
Asking the younger generation to "tackle and confront"problems facing the nation, Gross said, "You actually livebetter than queens and kings did only a few hundred of yearsago.
"You are fortunate to have been freed of the diseaseof hunger that plagued much of humanity years back ... Withall these privileges you should work towards improving the lotof the less fortunate in your country, around the world," hesaid.
He said his advice for the students is to followtheir hearts. "You may face many difficult choices but findout what you truly love to do and if possible do that. Aimhigh and dare to fail."Continuing, he said "Because if you try you mightsuccceed. Take chance to make a difference in all aspects oflife, dare to follow your most ambitious plans and pursue mostoutlandish ideas."Later Gross told reporters that institutes like theISI and IITs in India are excellent "But much too few."He said there are lots of investments in India now.
"Your country has more potential."ISI Director Professor Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay saidthe ISI students were following the legacy of its founderP C Mahalanabis.
"The world requires premier statisticians,mathematicians, researchers, economists and computerscientists and our students are in top institutions ofexcellence all over the world," she said.
Padma Bhusan awardee Prof S R S Varadhan was alsopresent. PTI SUS KKKK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.