Foundation of scientific base of India was set by the Pandit Jawahar Lal
Nehru. He was greatly influenced by the vision of 3 of his associates: H. J.
Bhabha, S. S. Bhatnagar and Vikram Sarabhai. With the priceless efforts of
these great people. India got significant gains in nuclear energy and space
technology. Continues efforts were being made in order to put India in the list
of country that has advanced nuclear technology. With the use of this advance
technology non-polluting electricity can be generated.
Launching of Mangalyaan in 2013 is an
evidence of best efforts and potential of Indian scientist and technology. India used fully Indian technology to
launch Mangalyaan as opposed to the first rocket which was launched
in 50 years before, 1963. In this first rocket almost all things was coming
from abroad. In sept 2014 India contributed its name in the list of those
country those studied red planet. It is good to know that annual budget
of (ISRO) is 1/10th of NASA. IT sector is strength of Indian technology. IT sector of India is capable to provide
various job opportunities to different age group people of India. Today,
Bangalore is taken into account to be one in all the most important technology
clusters of the planet.
WEAKNESSES
Indian government continuously establishing
and increasing the quantity of IITs and Indian Institutes of Science Education
and Research (IISERs) in order to extend Science and Technology within the
country. Although India has gained appreciable success in science and
technology all over the world but still Indian science could not retain its
dominance position among the developing countries. Technology of India is still
behind China, South Korea and Brazil. It is true that research activities in
India can be done only in selected institutions in India. However, the number
of good practicing scientists is declining. We are still waiting for that day
when a Indian scientist will get a Nobel Prize after independence.
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Quality of research in science in Indian university has been now
decline. All main four IITs of India has now got position in between 251 and
400. According to Higher Education World University Rankings-2013 there is only
one Indian university i.e. Punjab University which occupied 239th
position. Position of university is determined by following criteria.
(1)
Teaching
(30%)
(2)
Research
(30%)
(3)
Citations
(30%)
(4)
Industry
income (2.5%)
(5)
International
outlook (7.5%).
Elsevier report in 2012 expose that only India provide only 4% of the
total Research & Development expenditure which considerably too low from
other developed country. Universities in India are mainly focused on teaching
not on research. For a better research close interaction between student and
teacher is necessary. It is not surprising that all the Nobel prizes go to the
scientists which are working under university system.
Focus
on research in India has now been migrating from Indian universities with the opening
of a huge number of national laboratories in India. This may leads to the
decline of science research in the Indian universities.
In
order to improve research in Indian Universities a proper interaction is
required in between teachers and researchers who are working in National
Laboratories. There is also a need for incentive in the form of an
out-of-the-box remuneration package. For example, research projects may have
component for honorarium to teachers like 3 month’s salary as exists in many
American universities. It is a need to aware people that science is a rewarding
career opportunity particularly when companies outside India have been involved
in order to improve R & D program which are running in India.
Researchers of India are facing bureaucratic hurdles in sanction to
purchase scientific equipments. This problem has been acknowledged by Prime
Ministers. Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) has demanded to the leaders of
India to eliminate bureaucracy hurdles in research.
Lets we hope that National Science and Engineering Research Board (NSERB),
will curtail the scientific funding problems by making simple administration
process.
NEW GOVERNMENTAL INITIATIVES
To improve science and research, the DST has launched a scheme known as
Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research. Duration of this program
is 5 years. This program fascinating and encouraging the young students to make
their carrier in science. With the help of this type of scheme it will be easy
to catch young and good quality researchers. 25 Jawahar lal Nehru Fellowships
have been instituted under this fellowship well known scientist from abroad
will be called to work in Indian institutions for 3 years. The Prime Minister
had made Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy-2013. The main focus
of this policy is in large scale participation of industry in Research and
Development (R & D) activities.
The STI policy also focuses on establishing world class research and
development infrastructure to position India among the top 5 global scientific
powers by 2020. The aim of STI policy is to promote scientific temper in society.
World-class laboratories should also be established under this policy in order
to gain global leadership in areas of science in the world.
SOME CHALLENGES
In coming year India will face so many National problems. These
challenges will mainly come from agricultural sector. In 2020, India will
require 370 million tonnes of foods grains but the availability of land and
water is low. It will be required to develop seeds which will ensure quality yield
even under constraints of water. India has to upgrade its technology for soil
upgradation.
Water availability in the country is at a critical point for discussion.
In 1951, it was 3450 cubic meter per person (cmpp). It is now 2000 cmpp! With
the growth of water demand India has to develop new perennial source of fresh
water by developing cost- effective technology. Capacity of nuclear reactors in
India is only 3% of the requirement. While percentage of producing electricity
of other developed country like France, USA, Russia, UK is more than India. Technology
has to be developed to make nuclear energy cost-effective by using more
indigenous resources. Science should be a part of our society, it is not
because of our future is depend upon it but to instilling a scientific attitude
and temper in our population in order to growth of our nation.
Media needs awareness for highlighting the achievements of science,
recognizing the contribution of Indian scientists and providing connect between
science and society.
By: Ankit Garg
Assistant Professor
Amity University, Haryana
