Twitter
Advertisement

Bangalore students' apathy for science riles CNR Rao

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Expressing disappointment over the disinterest in science among students from Karnataka and in particular Bangalore, Eminent Scientist and Bharat Ratna awardee CNR Rao on Saturday said that over the last decade and half, not one of his students was from Bangalore.

“In the last 15 years not one student of mine is from Bangalore. My students are from West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala but nobody from Bangalore,” Dr Rao said at the meet-three-press programme organised by the Bangalore Reporters Guild at the Press Club. He added that there were not many bright students from the state.

“Students from Bihar are excellent and students from West Bengal are number one. I don’t know why there is less enthusiasm among our students as far as creative subjects are concerned. May be they want to make money and become rich. Bangalore is the center of science, but there are no students,” he added.

Citing his example, Rao said that he took up BSc upon completion of high secondary education as he was interested in the science.

“Roddam Narasimha (eminent aerospace scientist) was my classmate. He went for engineering, but I took up BSc as I was interested in science. If a youngster now opts for BSc, he is ridiculed by people saying that he opted for this course as he could get any other course,” said Rao.

The eminent scientist pointed out a contradiction, however: That the funding for science from the Karnataka government is the best in the country, even as students from the state were the least engaged with the subject.

Dispelling the notion that Indian scientists are not paid well, he said that as far as academic and scientific salary rankings are concerned, India was rated number third globally. Rao, who has been critical in the past over the emphasis given to the IT sector over science and innovation, also said he was not against IT. But the private sector should invest more for science, he added.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement