Missing Agenda on Science Policies In Election Manifestos

 

Election season in any democratic country are characterised by debates pertinent to all issues of governance. Though the so called election debates were initiated by media channels on a humble note, with onset of different phases of elections these constructive debates have sequentially decimated. The election campaigns are now reduced to personal attacks, mudslinging and expletives. The real electoral issues are biting dust, meaningful dialogues and constructive policy making decisions have almost vanished from their speeches. Parties have become so very busy in personal aggrandisement that core issues have been buried and even their respective party manifestos are now high on appeasement policies, welfare programmes, and reservations without vision for a vibrant democracy. It is now conspicuous that both media and the political parties have conveniently ignored discussions on the STEAM (Science, Technology, Environment, Agriculture and Medicine). It is unfortunate that despite active participation of highly educated and accomplished people as contenders for the current Lok Sabha elections there is not a single mention or discussion of prospective policies for amelioration of research in the country. In the squabble for power political parties are grossly undermining and evading discussions, important policy decisions on crucial aspects that offer greater opportunities for progress and development in science and technology.

Unfortunately, except for the scientific community, the issues related to investment in science and technology, the quality of research and its impact on the society at large are awfully missing in election manifestos. Almost all the national parties have resorted to drum beating their own vision and policies on various aspects of governance excluding science. The election festival now offers just a feast of the freebies, subsidies, welfare programmes etc, and the entire campaigning trail is woefully devoid of any policy Indian science.

Though the progress of Indian Science has been trailing, it received a greater audience with the candid admission of Prime Minister in the Indian Science Congress. In early 1990’s India was three times ahead of China in scientific publications but now Chinese are producing thrice the number of papers we do. Worse, even citations for our publications and the quality of the science reflected in the research articles have stooped down to new lows. With the result, the hierarchical heads of India have promised an increased budgetary allowance towards science which is now pegged at 0.9% of GDP. But sadly till now even the monetary benefits haven’t been completely materialised. Public funding of science in India is lot lesser than other BRIC countries (China-1.84%, Brazil-1.25%, Russia-1.12%).

The present phase of Indian science has been referred to as state of structural and financial stagnation by Mathai Joseph and Andrew Robinson in a paper published in Nature, April 2014. It is matter of serious ignominy that India failed to produce a Nobel Laureate post 1947 and all the India-born scientists in the recent past are awarded Nobel Prize for their work done abroad. Indian science needs a major over haul to restore the glory of its decrepit scientific empires. The paper discusses about the major hurdles in science and proposes future plan of action for the policy makers too. Indian Science is afflicted with the huge problem of working in small groups that barely collaborate. Scientific organisations have obtained a categorical bureaucratic status in India post independence. With the result, instead of fostering innovations, the heads of institutes again scientists of higher acclaim are vying for the top administrative posts leaving aside research to the juniors. Thus, good science has become a matter of chance. India is now ranked 10^th in its scientific output but ranks 166^th in terms of citations. It has abysmal records of obtaining patents, while China accounts to 20% of patents filed with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) India has mere 1.9%. Other major impediments hindering the progress are its promotion system that is based on the longevity of service rather than achievement. As a result the longest serving candidate would invariably be the head of all major projects. Even when certain leading institutes are generously funded, unreasonable restrictions are imposed on funding foreign travel of young researchers and students to attend various conferences. Finally, the lateral movement of researchers between organisations is highly discouraged. Worse even, some of the Indian Science Organisations have failed to take serious action on issues of plagiarism.

To stem this downward trend of scientific institutes four constructive strategies have been proposed to reengineer a bold science policy for modern India. First major step would be decoupling the scientific organisations from government to empower them to take a call on the research proposals and disburse funds to such projects unequivocally. Second should be a periodical rotation of roles and responsibilities with a fixed tenure limit for individuals. Third- fostering collaboration and coordinating the work of different institutes, individuals and industries working towards development of a particular technology. Finally a concrete plan should be evolved to disburse government funds to various institutes. Certain reputed institutes in the country has no dearth of funds, hence smart diversification of funds to fledging university laboratories, institutes can help in grooming a smarter set of Ph.D students. Above, all a career in science should be made more attractive by providing conducive and exciting work environment and a rewarding career. It has to be realised that a challenging and stimulating career and not necessarily the financial rewards can usher the younger generation into the business of innovation. Hope the newly elected government would clearly ear mark the promised 2% of GDP towards Science and catapult the fortunes of country.

 

It would be pertinent in this context to even recapitulate the strategies proposed by Gautam R. Desiraju, elected President of International Union of Crystallography for triennium 2011-2014, has briefly illustrated bold strategies for Indian Science, which can bestow a sense of direction and vision to our science policy. He opined that  by simply pumping money for science projects, popularising it and fly-by visits of renowned Western scientists can’t revamp the debilitating phase of Indian science. 

He suggested a way forward for the policy makers. Firstly- provide modest funding to a very large number of small, single-investigator monitored projects. For instance to modest projects in State Universities to promote enthusiasm and mass participation. Second-providing heavy and government directed funding into projects of national importance like energy, water and public health. Third is scraping the existing system of awards and prizes or recognition to dissuade the youth from chasing the prizes instead of working for good science. Lastly as a long term strategy  efforts should be made to do away with the existing system of reservations in educational institutes and institutes of higher learning, improving the quality of undergraduate teaching and training by setting up better laboratories, laying out clear path towards administrative and scientific growth of individuals. He clearly remarked that paucity of funding is not crippling the research but lack of leadership, honesty and healthy climate are taking a toll on resurgence of Indian Science.

Indians are plagued by the feudal-colonial mind-set oblivious of raising questions.  Further an unparalleled subservience together with a docile and sycophantic attitude is crippling the emergence of Indian scientists with a free, outrageous and revolutionary thinking that can  explore the new world of challenges. Also the basic Indian trait of equating age to wisdom has resulted in the geriatrics occupying the highest echelons of administrative authority in scientific organisations. The problem is aggravated by variants of corruption like the "inbreeding" propelled by old boys association, caste based reservations in small institutes, administrative vindictiveness and vagaries in research funding. 

For a nation richly endowed with resources, personnel, talent and education a more promising and able leadership can change the contour of Indian Science. The recommendations proposed by seasoned scientists would be an invaluable feedback for evolving a futuristic science policy for our nation.

 

 

 

 

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