ID :
97982
Sun, 01/03/2010 - 19:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/97982
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Need to liberate science from shackles of bureaucracy: PM
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 3 (PTI) Terming as "unfortunate"
regression in some sectors of Indian science due to red tape
and political interference, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Sunday asked scientists to engage with government to
liberate it from shackles of "bureaucratism and in-house
favouritism".
Holding that time has come to give a "new boost" to
science and technology, he asked Indian scientists working
abroad to return to the country to convert the "brain drain"
to "brain gain".
Singh announced that the Indian government was
considering revision of the value of doctoral and
post-doctoral fellowships as well as formulation of schemes
that would cover all research scholars with some funding
support.
"It is unfortunately true that red tape, political
interference and lack of proper recognition of good work have
all contributed to a regression in Indian science in some
sectors from the days of C V Raman and others," Singh said
inaugurating the 97th Indian Science Congress here.
He said he had taken note of 2009 Nobel laureate
Venkataraman Ramakrishnan's remarks that there was a need for
greater "autonomy from red tape and local politics" for Indian
scientists.
Singh said steps to improve science requires not only
money but change in mindset, including that of the senior
faculty and university administration.
"I invite you all to explore all these issues and engage
with us so that we can do what is needed to liberate Indian
science from the shackles and dead weight of bureaucratism and
in-house favouritism," he told a gathering of about 5000
scientists and educationists.
"Only then we can unleash the latent talent and creative
energies of our scientists and engineers," Singh said.
The Indian Prime Minister appealed to scientific
institutions to introspect and to propose mechanisms for
greater autonomy, including from the government, which could
help to improve standards.
"We must make special efforts to encourage scientists of
Indian origin currently working abroad to return to India,
including to coming to universities or scientific institutions
for a short period.
"In this way we can convert the 'brain drain' of the past
into a 'brain gain' for the future," he said.
Stressing on the centrality of scientific institutions in
the innovation eco-system, he said, "The system must include
industry, and providers of venture funds, as well as
regulators who set high standards of performance for
products".
Noting that the Indian government has declared 2010-2020
as a "decade of innovation", he said, "We cannot continue with
business as usual as we need new solutions in many areas to
achieve the goals of inclusive and sustainable growth."
He pitched for a strong outward orientation of the
innovation eco-system to stimulate innovation to find
indigenous solutions for local problems.
"Solutions from developed countries are not always
applicable. They are often too costly and at times not
sustainable... Innovators must be challenged to produce
solutions society needs," the Prime Minister said.
Singh said the scientific establishments must be central
to the innovation eco-system but there was a need to think
creatively on how to increase private investment in research
and development.
"Some innovative policy readjustments may be required to
build vibrant public-private-partnerships in the S&T (science
and technology) sector," he said.
"Today, each operates within its own silo. Unless we
close those gaps, our research and development sector may
report high performance in terms of published papers but our
challenges of the 21st century will remain unsolved," he said.
Listing out steps taken by his government in the S&T
area, the Prime Minister of India said a special scheme named
Consolidation of University Research, Innovation and
Excellence (CURIE) has been launched to attract more women to
take up careers in science.
He said the National Science and Engineering Research
Board will start functioning by March. The Board is expected
to function as an independent body comprising eminent
scientists which would allot funds for research projects, he
said.
The Prime Minister said the landmark agreement with the
Nuclear Suppliers Group lifting long-standing restrictions on
transfer of nuclear fuel to India has paved the way for an
accelerated nuclear power development programme. PTI SKU
RDM
regression in some sectors of Indian science due to red tape
and political interference, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Sunday asked scientists to engage with government to
liberate it from shackles of "bureaucratism and in-house
favouritism".
Holding that time has come to give a "new boost" to
science and technology, he asked Indian scientists working
abroad to return to the country to convert the "brain drain"
to "brain gain".
Singh announced that the Indian government was
considering revision of the value of doctoral and
post-doctoral fellowships as well as formulation of schemes
that would cover all research scholars with some funding
support.
"It is unfortunately true that red tape, political
interference and lack of proper recognition of good work have
all contributed to a regression in Indian science in some
sectors from the days of C V Raman and others," Singh said
inaugurating the 97th Indian Science Congress here.
He said he had taken note of 2009 Nobel laureate
Venkataraman Ramakrishnan's remarks that there was a need for
greater "autonomy from red tape and local politics" for Indian
scientists.
Singh said steps to improve science requires not only
money but change in mindset, including that of the senior
faculty and university administration.
"I invite you all to explore all these issues and engage
with us so that we can do what is needed to liberate Indian
science from the shackles and dead weight of bureaucratism and
in-house favouritism," he told a gathering of about 5000
scientists and educationists.
"Only then we can unleash the latent talent and creative
energies of our scientists and engineers," Singh said.
The Indian Prime Minister appealed to scientific
institutions to introspect and to propose mechanisms for
greater autonomy, including from the government, which could
help to improve standards.
"We must make special efforts to encourage scientists of
Indian origin currently working abroad to return to India,
including to coming to universities or scientific institutions
for a short period.
"In this way we can convert the 'brain drain' of the past
into a 'brain gain' for the future," he said.
Stressing on the centrality of scientific institutions in
the innovation eco-system, he said, "The system must include
industry, and providers of venture funds, as well as
regulators who set high standards of performance for
products".
Noting that the Indian government has declared 2010-2020
as a "decade of innovation", he said, "We cannot continue with
business as usual as we need new solutions in many areas to
achieve the goals of inclusive and sustainable growth."
He pitched for a strong outward orientation of the
innovation eco-system to stimulate innovation to find
indigenous solutions for local problems.
"Solutions from developed countries are not always
applicable. They are often too costly and at times not
sustainable... Innovators must be challenged to produce
solutions society needs," the Prime Minister said.
Singh said the scientific establishments must be central
to the innovation eco-system but there was a need to think
creatively on how to increase private investment in research
and development.
"Some innovative policy readjustments may be required to
build vibrant public-private-partnerships in the S&T (science
and technology) sector," he said.
"Today, each operates within its own silo. Unless we
close those gaps, our research and development sector may
report high performance in terms of published papers but our
challenges of the 21st century will remain unsolved," he said.
Listing out steps taken by his government in the S&T
area, the Prime Minister of India said a special scheme named
Consolidation of University Research, Innovation and
Excellence (CURIE) has been launched to attract more women to
take up careers in science.
He said the National Science and Engineering Research
Board will start functioning by March. The Board is expected
to function as an independent body comprising eminent
scientists which would allot funds for research projects, he
said.
The Prime Minister said the landmark agreement with the
Nuclear Suppliers Group lifting long-standing restrictions on
transfer of nuclear fuel to India has paved the way for an
accelerated nuclear power development programme. PTI SKU
RDM
