A scientist has to be motivated by the values of humanity, generosity and tradition as these feed the quality of his work,” said eminent scientist and Bharat Ratna awardee Prof CNR Rao while delivering a lecture Doing Science in India at Bhargava Auditorium in PGIMER .
“To promote science in India young, talented people have to be encouraged by good teachers because science is where ordinary people go and do extraordinary things and real science is done in small labs by crazy individuals,” he said. While talking about science in India, he said, “If India has to produce good scientists quality science has to be promoted. The money invested from the GDP needs to be increased like in South Korea and China.”
“To persist with science a scientist cannot afford to be angry particularly in India and has to face his critics with a sense of humour. A scientist has to be mad about his work and deal with a judgmental society. Personal satisfaction and enjoyment help achieve the goal,” Prof Rao added. Prof Rao also talked about the pain and pleasure being part of becoming a successful scientist. “We have a large number of bright and sharp students in institutions like the PGIMER and IITs but they need to work for science in India selflessly,” he said.
He also spoke about how some of the famous scientists of the past like Faraday worked with minimal facilities and grants. This was the first public lecture of Prof CNR Rao in Chandigarh after being conferred Bharat Ratna Award, the highest civilian award, by the President of India. The lecture was organised on invitation from all the institutions comprising Chandigarh Region Innovation and Knowledge Cluster (CRIKC).