Shehzad Roy shares video of Dr Abdus Salam with Oppenheimer, asks for change in mindset

In a thought-provoking social media post, renowned musician Shehzad Roy shared a historic video of Dr Abdus Salam, the Pakistani Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics, alongside Julius Robert Oppenheimer, the famed American theoretical physicist and "father of the atomic bomb." 

Through his tweet, Roy shed light on the significance of Dr Salam's contributions to science and lamented the criticism faced by the distinguished physicist in his own country.

In his tweet, which was accompanied by a short clip of the two scientists together, Roy wrote, "Our very own Dr Abdus Salam with Oppenheimer, in this picture! In my show Wasu Aur Mein, I highlighted that Dr Abdus Salam is celebrated across the world, including Bangladesh, and resultantly faced criticism. We cannot innovate with this mindset!"

Roy's social media post was part of his show Wasu aur Mein, where he highlighted the global recognition and celebration of Salam's contributions, including in neighbouring Bangladesh. The post served as a rallying call to challenge the prevalent mindset and prejudices that hinder innovation and scientific progress in the country.

The juxtaposition of these two brilliant minds in the video underscores the importance of embracing and celebrating scientific achievements, regardless of religious or cultural differences. The fact that a Pakistani Nobel Laureate like Dr Salam, with his significant contributions to humanity, can stand alongside a renowned American physicist like Oppenheimer is a testament to the power of science to transcend boundaries and unite the world in knowledge and progress.

Salam, born on January 29, 1926, in British India (now Pakistan), was a prominent theoretical physicist who made groundbreaking advancements in the field of particle physics. His exceptional work in the electroweak unification theory led to him being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1979, sharing the honour with Sheldon Glashow and Steven Weinberg. Notably, he was the first Pakistani and the first Muslim scientist from an Islamic country to receive such a prestigious accolade. 

Despite his global recognition and acclaim, Dr Salam faced opposition and criticism in his homeland due to his religious beliefs. As a response, the revered physicist chose to leave Pakistan and settled in London. However, even while residing abroad, Dr. Salam maintained close ties with Pakistan, particularly with the Theoretical Physics Group and academic scientists associated with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. His unwavering dedication to his homeland demonstrated the profound impact and love he had for Pakistan's scientific community.

Roy's call for a change in mindset and the encouragement of innovation is crucial for fostering a conducive environment for scientific advancements in Pakistan. By celebrating and honouring the legacy of Dr Salam, the nation can inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers to pursue excellence in their respective fields. 

Have something to add? Share it in the comments below