Encouraging scientific research, getting such works published and determination are vital for facilitating progress in science in India, said Bharat Ratna recipient Professor Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao who presently works at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in Bangalore.
Addressing a gathering of scientists, officers and students at CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum here on Thursday, Rao said that science will survive even without Government or grants. “We forget to celebrate science in our lives. 2008 marked the 150th anniversary year of our great scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose but no one remembered his contribution as his contribution is not even understood here. Now, international scientific community acknowledges that without Bose’s research Marconi couldn’t have developed the telegraph system. We teach children stupid facts instead of telling them the story of science. Do not learn any subject as drab facts but look into the interesting stories and ideas to learn the subject,” he said.
Addressing the students in the audience, he recalled scientific discoveries by scientists at a young age like Wl Bragg’s work on X-ray crystallography when he was aged 22 years.
He also pointed out the achievements of Michael Faraday who made considerable contribution to various fields of science inspite of being schooled only for three years. Referring to ancient Indian scientists he said, “This talk about people involved in science 5,000 years ago in India is humbug, they were only mixing colours at that time,” he said, before referring to India’s present position in science stating that not enough of Indian scientific research gets published. “We are in a tremendous state of slumber and lack determination. Indians run away to make money and give up their ideas. However, we have performed well when it comes to research in artificial photosynthesis in recent years,” he said, while adding that India is for the young as majority of the population is young and this feature has to be capitalised upon.
“Don’t be too critical or proud in science because science is based on failure. If the young want to succeed they should pick the lonely path. Selfishness is the worst thing in science,” he added.Earlier, the IIP director Dr MO Garg introduced Rao to the gathering which comprised scientists, officials from various institutions and students from schools and institutes.