Why are we falling behind in Science?
SUNIL THAKUR
Thursday, 06 September 2007 20:57 UTC
Recently, Mr. Sunil Mukhi, TIFR has written an article on why India that has such rich tradition of science and creative thinking that has made it world leader is falling behind in science.
Shri Sunil Mukhi has identified few reasons that I am summarizing below:
Our education system does not promote creative thinking.
Junior scientists are not encouraged and guided by seniors.
Our scientists aim only to make their mark at national level and avoid facing international competition.
We pull each other down.
We are afraid that we may make mistakes and ruin our career.
Financial aid is restricted to few fields.
Your comments…..
Updated 06 September 2007 20:59 UTC
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Hi Sunil
I wonder is it also because there is no such thing as “publish & perish” in India? Labs can survive for a long time without publishing anything. I think the competitive drive is lacking and people become complacent. At the same time I am not completely in favor of publish & perish. There needs to be a balance otherwise people just lose the scientific spirit and everything becomes a business
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Hi Sangeetha
I guess you are right Sangeetha but in India one is generally not required to produce results to survive in any field.
I read your other post also and sense the desire to excel but remember working in the present seup may cause frustration.
World wide trend is that
First, one must learn to hide one’s ignorance.
Second, one must learn the languge that everyone speaks.
Third, one must learn the art of clapping for each other without any reason.
Fourth, one must not challenge the existing setup.
If you are not willing to ‘fall in line’ then you must be prepared for a long struggle.
Science has its own Gods and in scientific world thinking about challenging the Gods of science is itself a crime.
So, best of luck…
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don’t worry.. contract research or experimental out-sourcing (like Call centers) are coming soon in india.. this will change whole senario of indian science..
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Sangeetha: Is it “publish & perish” or “publish or perish”? From what you say, it looks like the idea is to stay afloat by publishing.
Amit: Contract research sounds exciting. Where and when in India is it going to happen? I have a little reservation about the ‘hide thy ignorance’ bit. How can you do science if you don’t question and get answers to all that you don’t know? I always thought seniors adored juniors who are full of questions. -
Dear Subhra:
Its already started. When I was JRF in India.. our institute received huge NSF grant in 2005.. Before that labs in CCMB, ICGBE and other institutes were already funded by international agencies like Welcome Trust and NIH.And in today’s developed world cost of experiment is so huge that they are already started closing labs. Most important is quality control in which indian IT guys doing really great.. Pharma sector already started moving to india because of low cost… its coming to indian labs also..
I wish I have the money to start my company before the baloon burst.
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Dear Shubra: No offense, but I have some reservation regarding your last comment “seniors adored …. questions”. As far as ‘mere questions’ are concerned – its OK, but as soon as u start doing experiments and question the result/hypothesis that ‘seniors’ have in their mind, u r on the other side of the line. Its difficult to put everything here, but its true and is ALSO one of the reasons that we are falling behind in science. In case u r highly productive or think/comment better and faster than your colleagues (and senior too!!), ur shoes are already in trouble. So, apart from the bulleted points suggested by Sunil, I believe that the mentality/attitute of ‘seniors’ needs phenomenal change.
:) KH
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There is no shortage of questions..
Labs in USA/UK/Germany are filled with Indian scientists.. so it doesn’t mean that Indian don’t know what question to ask and how to address a question..
Anyways.. people always talk.. you must watch this video..
India’s New Anthem..
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So what does the video says..
Tum Chalo to Hindustan Chale..
I love this line..
Lagao haath ke Suraj subaah nikala kare.. hatheliyon meine bhare dhoop ujala kare…
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So keep doing some quality work.. world is urs..
N hann.. India is currently 5th largest economy in the world .. wait for another 20 years.. everything gonna be change..
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well guys,
i loved that line lagao haath ki sooraj subaha nikala kare…......... -
Kangkan: point well taken. I don’t know why despite a sea change in many other things, attitudes are taking their own sweet time to change. One can only hope that better sense prevails.
Amit, Kangkan: This particular discussion brings me to a story about an Indian that Nature has chosen as the ‘newsmaker of the year’. He’s on the Nature cover this time. Perhaps, there are lessons to learn from his leadership and back-patting of juniors. I liked the write-up immensely. You could have a look and be inspired! Or perhaps send the link across to snooty seniors as a camouflaged message!
Pushpa: As I said elsewhere on this network, patriotism can be infectious. Good to know it still stirs up some feelings in young people like you!
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