IF the world of science, in particular physics and astronomy, is referring to the Ligo discovery in superlative terms such as “transformational” and “the beginning of a new era” for mankind’s understanding of the universe, it is for good reason.

Albert Einstein first postulated the existence of gravitational waves, or what have been described as “ripples in the fabric of space-time” a century ago.

Also read: Gravitational waves detected in scientific milestone

Then followed 50 years of trial and error, and a quarter century was spent merely perfecting instruments that were sensitive enough to identify a distortion in space-time — in this case the collision of two black holes 1.3 billion light years away.

Finally, on Thursday, having completed the scientific arc of prediction, discovery and confirmation, physicists of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory team announced in Washington, DC: “We did it.” Researchers say that the confirmation of the existence of these waves will allow them to probe the universe, even its origins, in new ways.

A moment of such breathtaking excitement comes all too rarely in any field of study.

There is no doubt that like other great leaps of scientific understanding in the past, the Ligo discovery will galvanise further interest in astronomy and physics. But when such interest is considered in the context of Pakistan, the picture becomes immediately bleak.

Academic decline in this country is evident in most subjects, not least those included in the sciences. Both the quality of textbooks and teaching have done nothing to inculcate a sense of curiosity and wonder in our children. Rote learning, rather than an understanding of even fundamental concepts, has led the way. And few schools and colleges have science clubs that could have fostered interest in young minds.

Our students are thus deprived of a chance to come together to explore the many mysteries of the universe.

The grim reality is simple: this is a nation where even those trained as scientists can put their stamp of approval on a car said to run on water. Could there be a greater indictment?

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2016