Prof. CNR Rao, a former Chair of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Indian Prime Minister, is one of the most renowned Indian scientists. However, I see a stint of fundamentalism when he says that IT has destroyed Indian Science. He goes on to say
Why does one need to study engineering if the ultimate aim is to do an MBA and sell soap?
In an interview with the prestigious scientific journal Nature, Prof. Rao goes on:
Q. Aren’t the foreign R&D centres contributing to Indian science?
A. They create jobs but do not help Indian science. They do not interact with us. Six of my PhDs joined General Electric research centre in Bangalore.
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I have to disagree with Prof. Rao here. An individual is free to pursue the career that he/she wants to pursue in life. Is someone working in an IT company or private sector less moral than someone who does research? Prof. Rao seems to look down upon people who work for IT/private sector in general.
I do not see enough dedicated scientists like in early days. Old timers are working hard but the value system of today’s youngsters has changed. A boy of 18 wants to be a millionaire before the age of 25. He does not think of becoming the best scientist or engineer.
Prof. Rao, please permit me to say something from experience. India does not offer the best educational system to encourage people to pursue research. I still remember how hard it was just to get a research internship as an undergraduate (This, when I was a student in what are supposed to be the best colleges in India). The US and Canada, on the other hand, actively seek undergraduates to come and pursue research, give generous summer research grants, etc. Also, our courses hardly explored things like the role of ethics in science and engineering, entrepreneurship etc…
Now, having said that, I should also point out the range of wonderful career choices that I have seen my peers make. A lot of my friends after engineering have gone on to technical jobs. Many have opened their own companies, or are in the process of doing so. Some have pursued research while some have gone in to consulting and finance. I do not believe that there should be a criticism of ethics based on an individual’s career choice. Everyone has their own vision and priorities in life. Interests and motivations change. If one has done an engineering degree, that should not impose a lifetime of either research or job or any other thing. It is a matter of motivation, choice and vision.
I believe that instead of finding character issues with people who make choices to pursue different careers (or with companies), people at positions where Prof. Rao is should really work hard and make science a viable, attractive choice for potential candidates.
Also, I believe that letting foreign professors and institutions to come to India will not lower our academic standards, nor will it be a threat to our intelligentsia. Instead, just like the liberalization of economy, this will make us more competitive and strong. Not to mention the indirect benefit due to the diverse set of educated people who will come internationally.
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