[ April 11, 2026 - In the "Living Tamil" event organized by 'Kalam' Selvam today in Toronto, Canada, I couldn't present all my points about Scientist and Science Writer Venkataramanan's book 'From Light to Darkness' due to time constraints. Therefore, I have somewhat completed the remaining points I intended to make in this post.]
Why are Science Books Essential?
Science books are crucial for disseminating knowledge, preventing misinformation, promoting scientific thinking, fostering social progress, reducing superstitions, ensuring rational governmental decisions, inspiring students, stimulating critical thinking, developing the ability to ask "why," and understanding the benefits and harms of science and technology. Scientific articles and books must be written, and knowledge must be shared. Scientific writing makes all this possible.
I am particularly fond of astronomy and astrophysics in the field of science. My interest began in my childhood in Vavuniya, looking at the star-studded night sky from my home's courtyard, with my father's sarong as a swing. During that period, Kalki magazine was re-serializing 'Ponniyin Selvan.' The novel, with artist Vinu's beautiful illustrations, often mentioned 'Dhoomakedhu' (a comet) that was appearing in the sky. It was then I learned that what was referred to was a comet. In the novel, the comet was depicted as foreshadowing an unfortunate event to occur during the story's timeline. Simultaneously, Kalki also published a comic strip by Vaandumama titled 'Onaikkottai,' where the 'Dhoomakedhu' character was portrayed as a formidable personality. Consequently, the name 'Dhoomakedhu' was a frightening one for us during that era. I also recall the comet that was visible on the horizon at that time.
