India doing reasonably well in science, others doing better: CNR Rao

Prof C N R Rao, who was conferred with the Bharat Ratna today, said while India is doing reasonably well in the field of science, other countries are doing better.

He also said that it was a good sign that 14 scientists have found their names in the recent list of Padma awardees.

Rao told reporters after the award ceremony, "It is fantastic. It is more important than anything. Nothing compared to India honouring me."

The top scientist said while he has received several prestigious wards from the world over, there was nothing like being honoured by one's own nation.

He hoped that he would able to accomplish "something important" in the coming days. "I am already nearing 80. But I hope to accomplish something important," he said.

To a question on the state of science in the country, he said it was a good sign that 14 scientists have been awarded Padma awards recently.

"We are doing reasonably well. But other countries are doing better. South Korea and China are spending more on research," he said.

An outspoken scientist, Rao is a well recognised international authority on solid state and materials chemistry who has published over 1,400 research papers and 45 books.

Rao is the third scientist after C V Raman and former President A P J Abdul Kalam to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna.