The Hindu : Saving science

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 24, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Saving science

Sir, — The genuine concern expressed by Prof. C.N.R. Rao (Saving science for the future, March 20 & 21) will, I am sure, be shared by the entire scientific community in the country. The following themes of Prof. Rao are priority areas for immediate consideration: attributes of intellectual leadership to enhance our self-esteem and to attract international interest-cum-investment, greater demand on commitment, bringing about excellence in our performance both in quality and quantity, teacher training and recruitment in colleges and universities, life-long passion for research, and senior scientists to strive hard to be role-models for the younger generation especially school children. The optimism of Prof. Rao that "we are second to none in science" is itself an immense source of inspiration but we have to demonstrate our "formidable intellectual power in the world" by our individual action, attitude and commitment.

Bharat R. Sant,
Hyderabad

Sir, — Prof. Rao laments that parents and teachers do not seem to feel it is important that our children stay in India and work here, rather than go abroad. The talents and merits are recognised elsewhere and here everything is stereotyped and controlled by the bureaucracy and politicians. Here, if a child/student is creative/curious, he will be dubbed disobedient and punished rather than given an opportunity to kindle his creativity. Hence people prefer to go abroad. In order to reverse the trend, the policy makers should ponder over the education policy for the overall development of the country.

C.S. Venkataraghavan,
Chennai

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