A couple of weeks ago, some of us got into an interesting conversation with Howard Gardner, who was on a visit to India to deliver a series of lectures. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential psychologists in the world today. Author of 25 books that have been translated into 28 languages and best known for his theory of multiple intelligences, in 1995, he mounted a study that lasted until 2006 and involved 1,000 American journalists and geneticists. The question he was seeking to answer was an intriguing one. Why are journalists an unhappy lot while geneticists a happy bunch?
Last year, M.K. Bhan, a senior bureaucrat in the department of bio-technology, was able to attract 300 researchers back to India. All put together, over the last three to four years, he’s managed to attract 800 people back to various Indian institutions.
But that isn’t to say business has played its role to the hilt. Until now, very few Indian companies, other than those in pharmaceuticals and automotive, have focussed on research-based innovation. “We are not focussing enough on this as India Inc. We are happy with the CAD/CAM work at $9 an hour, compared to $30 that people have to pay elsewhere in the world,” says Pawan Goenka of M&M.
(This story appears in the 02 March, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
The points you have raised are very interesting but the picture in Indian science is really bleak. The system is so much orthodox and hierarchical that its difficult to succeed without having any GOD FATHERS. The system promotes medicoricity for sure- the director of instt. can make or mar your life at his/her whimsy. Take a list of all new recruits to various instt all over India- you will know that its not the merit that is the sole criteria. There is no award for merit. Age becomes merit at times- if you are young and you are good- its becomes a limiting factor rather than advantage- thats why you dont see professors in India which are in mid thirties. There is so much heterogeneity in quality of PhD- a PhD from premier instt in India usually take over 6 years. But when you apply for positions- even though you have required talent and have required publications- one is denied on the pretext that post PhD experience is less compare to say a person who does his PhD from some timabtoo place- in 3 years and have 3 years of post PhD exp from somewhere. SO eventually your merit becomes demerit !!!!!!!!!!
on Feb 29, 2012Vikram Saini: Thanks for sharing your views. I don't deny any of the demerits you mention. I also agree with most of the comments below, @Jayant Murthy, @P Reddy, @Coolsap, @Advait Misra. I have collectively answered all questions in this blog post as to why whining about the age-old issues doesn't always help. http://forbesindia.com/blog/economy-policy/does-indian-science-suck/
on Mar 1, 2012While I really like your list of outstanding folks, I am not very convinced by the overall argument here. Simply because the malaise is too deep rooted to be corrected by importing talent. You haven't flagged some of the real issues that plague India's institutions. They need to reward the best performers and discourage (or even weed out) the mediocre or poor performers. Much of it is taxpayers' money.
on Feb 27, 2012I am skeptical on several points: One is that the institutions that are being set up have the same old people in charge. These people, by and large with exceptions, are hidebound and hierarchical. In many cases, they are self-perpetuating because they pick their successors in their own mold. The second is that it is alright to recruit people from outside but then they come into the Indian scientific environment where there is no incentive to succeed. Notice that there are few incentives for scientists within the country. The most important change that could come is to empower the university system.
on Feb 25, 2012It is coincidental that this week Science has published a long feature on this resurgence in science and technology. There Mashelkar raises a valid point that younger generation needs to be paid more attention. In this article as well MK Bhan has touched upon it. But you should have flagged this issue further. When a large numbe of people are going to enter this stream, which will happen as DST has a big program going on, then they a platform and leadership to make their voice heard.
on Feb 24, 2012I am really hoping there would be great advances in the field of technology by this initiative. One of the major reasons why India is still poor is because the great minds have swayed away towards other countries and been part of their economy rather than ours. This initiative has the capability to change India's fortune obviously if properly executed which does not happen most of the times.. Nothing less than a revolution is required.. I understand this article much more because I am a student in the US and I see students in R&D coming here for funding is easily available here. Companies and the NSF fund students for 5 long years with their daily costs also taken care of. India needs to replicate the same model where it can attract students to help own hinterland grow.
on Feb 24, 2012