Different continent, same research concerns
Although India is often cited in Europe as one of the continent's major competitors in terms of research and technology, the country is experiencing many familiar problems, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh outlined at the 92nd Indian Science Congress on 3 January. In his inaugural address, Dr Singh expressed concern at the dwindling appeal of science for young people, and the tendency for the fruits of scientific research to remain remote from the country's citizens. 'Less than three per cent of students in the country want to pursue a career in science. The best minds are not turning to science, and even those who do, do not stay with the subject for long,' said Dr Singh. 'To overcome this, we need to improve teaching of science and maths in our schools and make it exciting for the students.' Touching upon two further issues all too familiar to Europe's research community, the Prime Minister lamented the impact of brain drain and the 'tyranny of bureaucracy in scientific institutions'. 'We need to ask ourselves whether the bureaucratic environment in our laboratories is stifling creativity,' he said. In terms of priorities, Dr Singh advocated a focus on the agriculture and energy sectors. He emphasised, however, that society must be the beneficiary of such research: 'Benefits of development in the field of science and technology have not reached the common man, and the research portfolio addresses only diseases of the rich. We must remember that we have a social responsibility.'
Countries
India