Tezpur University’s 33rd Foundation Day: Dr. Dinesh Chandra Goswami Calls for Free Thinking and Scientific Temper
Tezpur University celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day at the KBR Auditorium with a ceremonial programme that began with flag hoisting by Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das, Vice-Chancellor (Acting) of Tezpur University.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor (Acting) called upon all stakeholders to work collectively towards strengthening the university ecosystem, with a renewed focus on innovation and measurable outcomes such as startups and economic value generation. Stressing transparency, fairness, punctuality and dialogue, he urged the campus community to become active partners in developing the university.
Delivering the Foundation Day Oration, eminent scientist, noted author and popular science communicator Dr. Dinesh Chandra Goswami spoke on “Free Thinking and Scientific Temperament,” underscoring that universities must remain spaces of free thinking—guided by reason and grounded in knowledge.
Dr. Goswami observed that free thinking requires a foundation of learning, and that knowledge must ultimately lead to wisdom—context, judgement and the ability to choose what is appropriate.
To emphasise the challenge of communicating new ideas, he recalled an anecdote about Nobel laureate Niels Bohr and his younger brother Harald Bohr. When Niels asked why audiences preferred Harald’s speeches, Harald replied that Niels always spoke of new things, while he spoke of what people already knew—an observation Dr. Goswami used to underline why universities must nevertheless persist with new thinking and discovery.
Referring to Galileo, Dr. Goswami spoke of the courage and discipline needed for free inquiry. He also remarked that meaningful research requires time to think, and that even if many scholars reflect and only a few produce breakthrough ideas, the contribution of even one significant idea benefits society.
On scientific temperament, Dr. Goswami stressed the importance of evidence and testability. He explained that claims that cannot be verified should be kept pending until evidence emerges. “A claim should be accepted or rejected only after logical thinking and evidence,” he said.
Offering brief recommendations to students, Dr. Goswami urged them to choose their own path with conviction, remain tolerant, protect the environment through responsible everyday habits, respect the opposite sex, practise gratitude and reciprocity, and make thoughtful life choices. He concluded with a quote often attributed to Albert Einstein: “Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible,” encouraging students to strive for the seemingly impossible with focus and purpose.
The programme concluded with a cultural item and a formal vote of thanks offered by Prof. Vijay Kumar Nath, Chairperson, Organising Committee.
