In 2007, on my very first day in the Chemistry laboratory during my M.Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Kashmir, my teacher, Prof. G. M. Peerzada, stepped into the lab and said something that shaped my entire academic life.
“Science without a laboratory is like a human body without blood.” His words were a revelation. They carried the essence of science as a discipline that thrives only when knowledge meets action, when theories are tested, and when curiosity is satiated by evidence.
That single sentence awakened me to the reality that no scientific subject, whether it is Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, or Botany, can be understood, without handling instruments, observing reactions, dissecting structures, or studying life firsthand.
It was that spark, ignited in that moment, that ultimately led me to pursue a PhD and publish my research in reputed international journals.
A Living Reflection
As I progressed in my academic journey, another realisation dawned on me. Science is not separate from reflection. It is the same method most religions preach, urging us to observe, investigate, and contemplate the natural world.
Physics reveals the dynamics of the universe, Chemistry is an unravelling of relations within matter, Zoology explains the intricate complexity of life, and Botany showcases the world of plant systems. While religions call on us to reflect, science provides the tools through which such reflection becomes meaningful.
Yet, despite this divine encouragement toward knowledge and exploration, practical work in science at the secondary, higher secondary and even graduate levels unfortunately remains one of the most neglected components of our educational culture.
A Painful Classroom Reality
During a recent chemistry lecture, I displayed photographs of two Bharat Ratna awardees. One was Sachin Tendulkar, who is admired and recognised instantly by millions for his cricketing prowess. The other was Prof. C. N. R. Rao, one of the greatest scientific minds India has ever produced. In a fraction of a second, every student identified Sachin. Yet not a single one recognised Prof. Rao.
That moment of silence exposed the disturbing reality that as a nation, we celebrate entertainment with unmatched passion, but when it comes to science, our enthusiasm fades. We admire celebrities, memorise their achievements and idolise their journeys but the names of our scientists, the very minds who expand human knowledge and drive national progress are barely remembered.
This gap is symptomatic of a deeper issue. We do not celebrate science. We do not glorify discovery. We do not tell the stories of the laboratories where failures outnumber successes, where persistence shapes breakthroughs, and where the future is quietly built molecule by molecule and equation by equation. Our young minds grow up surrounded by posters of athletes and actors but almost none of them know the faces of the people who put India on the global scientific map.
A society that does not honour its scientists ultimately fails to inspire its children to become scientists. When scientific achievement is invisible, innovation becomes accidental rather than intentional.
Why Are Students Abandoning Science?
Across Jammu & Kashmir, admissions in science streams at the graduate level are steadily declining. This is primarily because the entire meaning of “science” has been reduced to NEET and JEE. We have convinced our children that the sole value of science lies in cracking an entrance exam. The thrill of asking questions, the joy of experimenting and the wonder of discovering something new have all been replaced by rote learning, paper work and a rat race.
In this system, there is no space for curiosity, exploration or discovery; and thus, passion for uncovering truths. If we continue down this path, science in our society will not merely be neglected but will be forgotten.
Labs Are Ready, Students Are Not
In reality, government schools in Jammu & Kashmir today possess well-equipped laboratories across all science subjects. They are clean, functional and capable of supporting high-quality practical learning. These labs are designed to ignite curiosity, foster experimentation, and allow students to experience science as a process of discovery.
The tragedy, however, is that these laboratories often remain empty. Students rarely step inside them, not because of lack of availability or quality but because their time and energy are consumed elsewhere. Endless hours are spent in coaching centres, memorising notes, preparing for predictable questions and paying hefty fees, all in the hope of scoring well in board and entrance exams.
Yet in this pursuit, they miss the very heart of science, which is in experimentation.
A student cannot truly understand Physics without handling instruments, nor can they grasp Zoology without observing specimens. They cannot appreciate Botany without studying plants firsthand, nor can they feel the essence of Chemistry without witnessing reactions. Science is not merely a subject but it is an experience that cannot be memorised. It must be lived, explored and reflected upon.
India Needs Scientists
Our youth possess extraordinary talent, but what they often lack is meaningful exposure. To revive a true scientific culture in our country, we must restore the central role of laboratories at every level of education, shift the focus from rote memorisation to inquiry-based learning and actively promote research, observation and experimentation.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 also emphasizes experiential learning and hands-on engagement, making practical science an essential part of modern education. Equally important is celebrating scientists as national heroes and liberating students from an overdependence on coaching centres that prioritise exam scores over understanding.
Laboratory culture is not a luxury but it is a necessity for any society that aspires to lead in knowledge, technology, and innovation.
The Truth That Time Cannot Erase
As I look back on that day in 2007, I realise how a few words from a dedicated teacher reshaped my life. The truth remains unchanged. science without a laboratory is like a human body without blood. It is lifeless, incomplete and incapable of progress.
Science must, thus, be returned to its rightful place - the laboratory, the field, the microscope, the experiment and the observation.
(Dr Nisar Farhad is an educator currently serving as a Lecturer in Chemistry with the School Education Department in Jammu and Kashmir. He writes about education, values and the quiet strength of rural families whose sacrifices continue to inspire generations. Beyond the classroom, he is a keen traveller and adventurer who finds stories in every journey.)
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