Convoluted Perceptions About Indian Science

In spite of the successful launch of India’s second navigation satellite recently, the whimper of heated debates about the exigency of funding space projects by government still refuse to die out. A cross-section of people emphatically question the need for shelling out public money for scientifically empowering the nation with cutting edge technology, while millions of Indians starve to death. They even unapologetically dispute the relevance of missions to Moon and Mars. This outlandishly ridiculous mockery of satellite launch programmes at the behest of abject poverty experienced by millions of people only reflects the apathy of general public towards scientific programmes in our country. But practically, it is unreasonable to couple these two issues.

Why is that we refrain to shed the tag of underdogs? While it is time for celebration and extending laudatory support to the Indian scientists who have slogged to master space technology why should boorish comments and whimper of pessimism be a tag line in some of newspapers? For the past 66 years of Independence, several poverty alleviation programmes and policies have been enforced to ameliorate the standard of living of millions. When the neighbouring South East Asian countries, liberated from the shackles of colonialism around the same period, are racing against time to emerge as super powers, we in India with its boundless talent, resources are lamenting about our pursuits in scaling greater heights in advanced scientific technology.

Why are we so interested in entrenching ourselves into the tunnels of pessimism and stupor? When developed nations of the world are considering India, still an emerging country as a potential threat in global technology market, why should we be vitriolic about funding science, at a stage when India space programme is delivering miracles and astounding results?

It is really sad that India even after 67 years of independence has to still boggle down under the pressure of poverty alleviation programmes. In fact, we should realise that scientific research and technology development would augur more job creation, improve the quality of life and enhance transfer of technology. Any nation with a sound technological skills and scientific advancement can reap the benefits of the sophisticated technology in multitudinous ways.  For example- mastery in satellite launching would keep ISRO on a high pedestal in the global satellite launching market worth several billion dollars. Moreover as the cost of labour is low, with its proficiency in the rocket technology, ISRO and its allied partners can refurbish this gigantic task of satellite launching in frugal budget and on long term it can earn billions of dollars for a developing country like India.

Within science, there are certain allied branches like astrology, homeopathy etc., are undermined but  they constitute the rarest consolidation of knowledge, facts and valuable theories which are to be treasured. Science literally means a system of acquiring knowledge and knowledge can be acquired by study or practice. Over a period through observation and experimentation, people have made it enterprising. Hence nation can hardly afford to ignore the potential advantages of invigorating interest in science. But unfortunately, there isn’t any iota of debate about step-motherly treated accorded to science in terms of budgetary allocation. It is cynical that  at a stage when Indian economy is burdened by a slew of subsidies, ravaged by numerous scams and mind boggling corruption people conveniently avoid debating on the insignificant allocation  of government funding towards science.

 

 

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