Invisible scientist in India-APS Panel Discussion in March 2008
Krushna Mavani
Monday, 31 March 2008 02:39 UTC
A discussion was held in the APS March 2008 (please check this link for abstract: http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/MAR08/Event/82544).
I attended this speech. There was a sprectum of topics covered to highlight the root-problems. It seems, some NRIs feel that they may become invisible if they return to india and thier work will not be cited if published from India. The speech was about several issues such as possible reasons why NRI scientists do not return (one of them being fear of less recongnition of their work from India), how beaurocracy affects the policies and decisions and how indian society (with a large diversity) struggling or progressing, etc. etc. (it was described in a scenario: while there is ‘yes’ for everything in India, there
a ‘no’ too).
Also, some indian institutions/organizations were highlighted for their uniqueness in creating a good workig atmosphere as well as nice surroundings to enhance mental abilities and performance (in some unique way), however, this was described in contrast to some other universities/institutes (names were not given) having not good working culture.
It was mentioned that india is hiring foreigners in some fields (e.g., as pilots).
Well, I might have missed something but I have tried to cover the topics which were discussed recently in APS meet.
I have mentioned about the recently discussed issues above, however, I am still pondering over and feel that some experienced senior scientists may have clearer ideas to tell about such issues.
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Replies
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Good morning -
I spent three years in searching a job in India after my Ph. D but failed to get. I went to Taiwan and spent six years and then returned to India after an understanding with Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam to work for India.
True, in India a senior scientist fails to get recognition easily because of the unwanted elements in the system. We are Indians. we must have little bit of sacrifice. We can’t talk all the time about self, selving our countrymen to suffer all the time.
Once we make up our mind, the Indian sense gives strength and we thrive – well luck may be the other liking that appreciates our move while we are on the bench to record sense.
Regards
Dr. R. Dayal Yadav
Director – Research Study Group DIM -
Thank you for writing your views and experience Dr. Yadav.
You are right in your view on indian sense. However, the question remains is :
“why is research work from india less recognized?”
Is it because developed countries ignore indian work? OR
because we need to do different now? OR may be both?In the meeting, they mentioned that the scientists from developed nations do not refer the papers published from India (as it was said and discussed in the APS meeting).
I think, one of the reasons may be that indian researchers (from Indian institutes) do not attend international conferences or present orally in enough numbers and thus, their work does not get highlighted, whereas all the other developed countries are able to send many researchers for presentations. Also, as a consequence, indian researchers may have lesser international collaborators. This situation may also be a cause for the less recognition of indian research work.
Again, experienced scientists may bring a clearer picture here.
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Dear Krushna good morning -
This is in partial reply to your questions -
We are scientists, we must not argue like other Intellectuals. We must see that under all circumstances our work does not suffer. This simple strategy is not followed in India. While working with scientists of 27 countries I realized this during the very first year of my stay in Taiwan. Perhaps this was the reason why despite a horrible report from my referee I was never charged in a manner I was supposed to be charged. I always wanted to do something that could boost the name of my country. For this simple reason once a scientist of international name and fame asked me by saying – do you feel you are the only person working in this field? My answer was flat – yes I am a scientist and I do feel I am not duplicating any of the works that are already reported in the literature. Since then he became my friend and that friendship is still continuing. I was dealing with a problem then that could study the position of a labile hydrogen in a nucleotide and also to develop a mechanism to fix the position either at N1H or at N3H. When I succeeded in this project my boss came to me after attending 13th round table conference at Paris and said – why others fail to do this? My answer was again a simple one – this is Indian hand.
I am coming to your questions now -
1. Indians are good to best outside the country but they are not competitive inside the country because they know that their fate is locked under the palm of their referees either at the time of appointment or during the period of promotions.
2. Because of regionalism, reservations and other hidden factors they are divided.
3. They hesitate to argue with their bosses on matters that require often for sake of development and advancement.
4. Most of the Ph. D thesis submitted in India are of sub standard – you may like to examine severals after taking permission from the respective scientists and their guides – I am ready to provide names.
5. Generals of Indian Science are near and dear to policy makers – this is a major threat to future science, technology, environment and management studies in India. Why Dr. CNR Rao is associated with AEC as Hony member? What suggestion or benefit he can render there? Why Dr. Goverdhan Mehta is associated with NAAC when he is declared as talent killer? How Dr. Anil C. Ghosh is honored on Biotechnology platforms when he has nothing to do with Biotechnology? Well, let the time come – we are reaching slowly to catch them in Bigyan Bhavan in presence of their loyals. Science is not politics – there must be a threadbare discussion on all fronts if we want to enter the global market and compete with the laureates. recomendation letters can help build a creer, it can’t give you a name for which you are thriving.
6. Personal experience: I have carried out 400 experiments in molecular nanotechnology but I am getting only one paper till date. The reason is simple – I wanted to remain associated with this science and thus I sacrificed but back in India I am not accepted. I am interested to ask Dr. CNR Rao in front of all scientists of this country – what nanotechnological gift he has given to this country for which Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has said: he is the third best nanotechnologist in this world. Is it not a sychophancy?
7. Let me conclude by saying – we are still slave, we don’t know to use our constitutional right to correct the wrong. And I am sure once it is done, no one can dare Indian scientists and technologists in this world and no one can dare even to touch the thread of security but today – we are counting the number of dead body even in our best cities!
Regards
Dr. R. Dayal Yadav
Director – Research Study Group DIM
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