Fostering scientific temper in Mizoram

Ramhluna Hnamte

Science Vision 14 (3), 168-176 | Published on 30 September 2014 |

Abstract

This article celebrates the theme “Fostering Scientific Temper” of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It emphasizes the need for breaking unscientific approaches to understanding nature and events in our lives, particularly stressing on those of the Mizo people. The linger belief that leaf insects and stick insects spontaneously transform from plants, that house lizards are venomous, that animal intestines are good for diabetes mellitus, and that malaria is spread through water. The indigenous notion that crocodiles are the male species, and gharials are the females, that two edible snails are males and females, porcupines can shoot their spines, and that the rough-skinned toads are leprous. This paper is an attempt to provide the scientific rationales of these apparent myths.

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