Tue Nov 19 10:01:42 UTC 2024: ## UP Governor Claims Vedic Sage Bharadwaj Preceded Wright Brothers in Aircraft Concept
**Lucknow, November 19, 2024** – Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel ignited controversy on Monday by asserting that the Vedic sage Bharadwaj, not the Wright brothers, conceived the idea of an aircraft. Speaking at the 9th convocation of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, she urged students to explore ancient Indian texts to understand the nation’s historical contributions to science and technology.
Governor Patel cited Bharadwaj as an example of an ancient Indian innovator whose work, she claimed, was unfairly overshadowed. She highlighted the need to acknowledge the achievements of ancient Indian sages, stating that their innovations continue to benefit the world today.
This statement echoes similar claims made by some BJP leaders referencing the “Pushpak Vimana” described in the Ramayana. A previously presented research paper at the Indian Science Congress even proposed that Shivkar Bapuji Talpade flew a machine in 1895, predating the Wright brothers’ 1903 flight. However, this paper faced significant criticism from the scientific community for lacking empirical evidence.
While the Wright brothers are universally credited with the first successful self-propelled flight, Governor Patel’s comments underscore a growing narrative emphasizing India’s historical contributions to various fields of science and technology. She further stressed the importance of preserving and promoting ancient Indian knowledge by translating ancient texts and encouraging their study in universities.
In addition to her remarks on ancient aviation, Governor Patel also praised the progress of Uttar Pradesh universities in national and international rankings and emphasized the significant government investment in education.
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