Need to liberate science from shackles of bureaucracy, politics : P M

Mangalore Today

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan2: Terming as "unfortunate" regression in some sectors of Indian science due to red tape and political interference, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 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 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.