I AM distressed to learn that Dr Abdus Salam, who led to the discovery of the subatomic ‘God particle’, is not well-regarded in his homeland.
He holds the distinction of being the only and the first Pakistani scientist to receive a Nobel Prize in physics. He tirelessly advocated for the development of science in the Third World countries.
Dr Salam shared the Nobel Prize in 1979 with Steven Weinberg. They independently predicted the existence of a subatomic particle now called the Higgs boson, named after a British physicist.
Dr Salam’s legacy has been scorned because of his religious affiliation. It is sad and very distasteful to say the least.
WARIS SHERE Winnipeg, Canada
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (15) Closed
Aziz
Jul 24, 2012 02:26pm
Mr. Ahmad
If you really care that much then please come to Pakistan and start making a change at individual level, however, small but must be positive.
Otherwise hold your peace and earn your dollars and let the people who are left behind carry on with their lives. Drawing room well wishers and part-time Pakistanis are not going to change the country.
Recommend
0
akhter husain
Jul 24, 2012 07:56am
What else can be expected of ignorant people.Not knowing scientist or scholars is very common with us.
Recommend
0
Agha Ata
Jul 24, 2012 01:30pm
We didn't care when he achieved a great success and now we have the shameless courage to claim some credit that he was a pakistani. Shame on us!
Recommend
0
Jawad
Jul 24, 2012 12:54pm
I do remember that cold autumn day of 1979 when it was announced that Pakistani scientist Dr. Abul Salam will be bestowed the Nobel Prize, but most importantly it was a pride to see him dressed in Pakistani attire of sharwani and pagri at his acceptance ceremony. Even today as a Pakistani scientist I still cherish his vision and indebted to him for being such an inspiration.
Recommend
0
El Cid
Jul 24, 2012 01:18pm
Briefly Summarizing:
Satyendra Nath Bose:1894-1974[ A Bengali] A Fellow of the Royal Society(FRS), was born in Calcutta. Specialized in theoretical Physics(Mathematical Physics). He was specially recognized for his work on quantum mechanics in early 1920s.
His work was the foundation for the Bose-Einstein Statistics, and the associated theory of Bose-Einstein Condensate. The class of particles that obey Bose-Einstein statistics—Bosons--was named after him by Paul Adrian Dirac,OM, FRS, a British theoretical physicist. Though his work was done under the British Raj, India awarded him its highest award: 'The Padma Vibhushan' in 1954.
I expect this removes any doubts Mr., it is honorable to recognize ability/talent/contribution to humanity wherever it may originate. Recognizing truth enhances, not diminish one.
Recommend
0
dr ghulam
Jul 24, 2012 12:04pm
whatever his religion , we recognise his efforts and call him our scientist. WE RESPECT HIM AS OUR SCIENTIST.
Recommend
0
dr ghulam
Jul 24, 2012 12:05pm
I DOUBT WHETHER UR THEORY IS CORRECT.
Recommend
0
Nabil Ahmad
Jul 24, 2012 04:02am
Prosperous nations recognize and honor their heroes. Our country is in decline because there is no justice, no equal opportunity, no progressive vision, no emphasis on science and education and complete disregard for the contribution of its real heroes.
Nabil Ahmad, Houston, USA.
Recommend
0
Rahmat
Jul 24, 2012 12:27pm
Really ? What is the correct theory. Please shed some light. I don't think the name Bose should give you creeps. Boson came long before Dr. Salam arrived on scene whom I had the privilege to meet in person.
Recommend
0
U Gupta
Jul 24, 2012 08:14am
Higgs Boson is not only named after British Mathematician (Higgs) but also Indian scientist Dr. SN Bose. Boson is due to name Bose.
Recommend
0
safdar
Jul 24, 2012 06:22pm
Regardless of Dr. Salam's religious affiliations, I think any pakistani who know a bit about science in general and physics in particular, takes great pride in the fact that Dr. Salaam was a pakistani and not only a pakistani but a pakistani who studied in pakistan (Govt. college Lahore) not in harvard or oxford. The point is mullahs don't have respect for any human being, be it sunni, shia or anyother for that matter and educated people I think wont concern themselves with religious affiliations of a great scientist.
Recommend
0
Christopher Gully
Jul 24, 2012 06:32pm
This is an interesting article, thank you!
Recommend
0
Hassan Parvez
Jul 24, 2012 07:01pm
To honor Dr. Salam, Islamabad Airport should be renamed as Dr. Abdus Salam Airport.
Recommend
0
Zia
Jul 25, 2012 12:00am
It's not a theory, Dr Ghulam. The word "boson" is indeed derived from the name of the Indian theoretical physicist Satyendra Nath Bose.
Recommend
0
Zia
Jul 25, 2012 12:04am
Just to note that there was a third scientist, Sheldon Glashow, who shared the 1979 Nobel Prize with Abdus Salam and Steven Weinberg.
Recommend
0