PROCEEDINGS OF THE EIGHTH INDIAN 
SCIENCE CONGRESS. 
The Eighth Annual Meeting of the Indian Science Cong- 
ress was held in Calcutta from January 31st till February 5th, 
1921. After the Patron, His Excellency the Rt. Honourable 
the Earl of Ronaldshay, G.C.I.E., Governor of Bengal, had 
of the Congress. The mere fact of your electing me, a non-scien- 
tific man, to preside is a sufficient indication that you do not 
expect me to deal with purely scientific subjects or to express 
myself in the language of the scientist. It is nevertheless 
with some diffidence that I address this assembly of scientific 
ledge 
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and relative significance is the function of science. But science 
has to do with everything to which its method can be applied 
and I shall content myself by saying only a few words from 
the standpoint of a spectator, who watches the result of the 
work of this Congress and its application for the benefit of 
mankind. The progressive economic development of civilised 
nations is attributable to the perpetual and ever-increasing 
growth of man’s power over nature, by the help of scientific 
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investigation. The numerous discoveries that are being ma 
standard of living, a demand which can only be met Py. Be M- 
creased command over the powers of nature ; and this can 
a mere industrialist, I must naturally allude to your close rela - 
. 
tions with us and gratefully acknowledge the benefits which 
