Science in crisis

It’s perhaps time the Narendra Modi government reconsidered its approach to the Indian science and technology establishment. At the end of 2014, Indian science really soared high with the success of Mangalyaan, the launch of the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) and the different versions of the long distance missile Agni. Come 2015, its stock seems to be heading south, courtesy the government’s recent actions.

The unprecedented sacking of a distinguished scientist, Avinash Chander, one of the key architects of the inter-continental ballistic missile, Agni, is a case in point.

A few weeks ago, at the Indian Science Congress, any semblance of serious scientific discussion or progress was blunted by an egregious focus on ancient Indian contributions in aviation. The event turned out to be a non-serious affair. The essential aspect of the meet — of scientists highlighting their achievements and the government announcing policy initiatives — was completely lost.

If Chander’s sacking was meant to infuse young blood into leadership and do way with contractual arrangements, the appointment of 62-year-old Kiran Kumar as chairman of ISRO on a three-year contract does not stand to reason. K Radhakrishnan, the previous chairman, who had won praise for the success of Mangalyaan, was allowed to go on superannuation.

Given its funds, attrition rates and international challenges, ISRO has performed remarkably with its cost-effective satellite programme. This has improved the quality of life of an average countryman.

The atomic energy department feels cold-shouldered with little movement on the Indo-US nuclear deal and slow progress in the domestic power programme. This is no way to deal with prestigious science institutes.

The state of affairs in the administration of the pure sciences funding departments — the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) — is no better. All three are led by K Vijayaraghavan, the secretary of DBT. At least a dozen laboratories under the DSIR (under which 38 national laboratories function) are headless.

Most senior scientists are over age 60 and the search for youngleaders is on. There is an urgent need for laboratories to forge partnerships with industry and generate revenues through indigenous technology development and transfer to remain relevant to its role in industrial development.

Meanwhile the R&D investments as a share of GDP continue to be below 1 per cent against a goal of 2 per cent announced nearly two decades ago by successive governments led by the Congress, NDA and UPA, and reiterated by the present government. The private sector has been slowly increasing its share.

But industry is faced with the issue of easy imports vis-à-vis indigenous development. A big issue is the declining interest in science as a career among the youth and low growth in quality output of scientific publications and patents.

The government should focus its energies on the needs of Indian science and technology and enable it to become globally competitive. It has in place a full-fledged team in a medical doctor minister, Harsh Vardhan, and an industrialist deputy, YS Chowdary.

The series of politicised claims on the advances made in ancient India, from genetic engineering and plastic surgery to the Pythagorean theorem, have kicked up needless controversy. There is perhaps a need to do serious research to validate and establish some of India’s contributions to science.

The government is not sending the right signals.

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