Renowned musician Shehzad Roy has taken to social media to shed light on the historic contributions of Dr Abdus Salam, the Pakistani Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics. Roy’s thought-provoking tweet featured a video of Dr Salam alongside Julius Robert Oppenheimer, the famed American theoretical physicist and “father of the atomic bomb.”
In the tweet, Shehzad Roy emphasized the global recognition and celebration of Dr Salam’s achievements, noting that he is revered across the world, including in neighboring Bangladesh. Despite his outstanding contributions to science, Dr Salam faced criticism in his own country, highlighting a prevalent mindset that hinders innovation and scientific progress.
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, & resultantly faced criticism. We cannot innovate with this mindset ! pic.twitter.com/wHsXNh3Syn— Shehzad Roy (@ShehzadRoy) July 23, 2023
Roy’s social media post was part of his show “Wasu Aur Mein,” which aims to challenge such prejudices and foster a change in mindset. The juxtaposition of Dr Salam and Oppenheimer in the video underscores the importance of embracing scientific achievements regardless of cultural or religious differences. It showcases how science has the power to unite the world in knowledge and progress.
Despite facing opposition in Pakistan due to his religious beliefs, Dr Salam remained dedicated to his homeland and its scientific community. He settled in London but maintained close ties with Pakistan’s academic scientists and the Theoretical Physics Group.
Shehzad Roy’s call for a change in mindset and the encouragement of innovation is crucial for fostering an environment conducive to scientific advancements in Pakistan. By honoring the legacy of Dr Abdus Salam, the nation can inspire the next generation of scientists to pursue excellence in their respective fields.