Students told to pursue Science

What is India’s position in science in the world? Are we inching closer towards the mark, or do we have a longer way to go?Can advancement in technology be equated with progress in science?

Young science students, who were in the city to participate at the National Student Science Seminar at the Visvesvarya Industrial and Technological Museum, put these questions in perspective.

Students from different parts of the country presented their views on the topic ‘India and World Science: Are We There?’ A common thread in the presentations was the emphasis on technology, and the progress made in the field.

While the opinion on advancement in the field of science was divided with some students feeling ‘India is there’ or ‘almost there’, there were many who felt that the country had a long way to go to reach the top slot.

“There are many unethical processes in India, coupled with superstitions and beliefs, which hinder progress,” said a student.

“Nasa allocation towards science-related activities is 18 times more than that Isro has allocated. We need more funding to pursue research,” she said in her presentation.

Other students stressed on inculcating a scientific bend of mind in people from a young age which will encourage youth to be part of science initiative. They said India was facing a huge brain- drain, which is acting as an obstacle to progress inthe field.

Prof CNR Rao said students should show more enthusiasm towards science. “In fact at my age, I am more interested than they are,” said Rao. “The youth are the future of our country. With a humongous population, limited opportunities, and tough competition, they have to work harder to attain a name in the field,” he said.

India’s contribution is only 2.5% to the world research. We must work hard to move up, he added. “We need to capture the excitement towards the subject in young minds.

The educators in science need to sell science in a manner where they combine doing and learning,” said Usha Vijayaraghavan, a professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.