Javed Akhtar advocates for integrating science and liberal arts

Veteran Indian screenwriter, lyricist, and poet Javed Akhtar has emphasized the necessity of combining science and technology with the liberal arts to foster well-rounded individuals.

Speaking in Mumbai, Akhtar noted that while science and technology are vital for human progress, an understanding of subjects such as history, literature, poetry, and painting is what distinguishes human beings from computers and robots. He argued against keeping academic disciplines in “watertight compartments,” suggesting that those in scientific fields should familiarize themselves with the arts, while liberal arts students should acquire a basic understanding of science.

Akhtar is a prominent figure in Indian cinema, formerly part of the Salim–Javed screenwriting duo responsible for landmark films like ‘Sholay’ and ‘Deewaar’. He is also a celebrated Urdu poet and has received numerous honors, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.