Monday, August 8, 2016

Science in Deficit

We are trying something meaningful for the younger generation to motivate them and to spark genuine interest and curiosity in the basic sciences. Over the past few years, a clear trend has emerged: a large number of students are striving to secure positions in the private sector. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of them succeed in fulfilling these dreams.

Most students choose courses like B.Tech and similar professional programs for higher studies. They invest enormous amounts of money, time, and effort, hoping to secure private-sector jobs. However, many end up in positions that offer modest salaries, often barely enough to sustain a decent quality of life.

At the same time, there is a serious shortage of students with the aptitude and passion to pursue basic sciences as a full-time career. This is unfortunate, because careers in basic sciences can offer respectable jobs, competitive salaries, intellectual fulfillment, and a stable lifestyle, benefits that contribute not only to individual growth but also to the long-term development of our country.

We all desire good teachers, strong academic environments, and schools that can help India build its own foundation in science and technology. But this vision cannot be achieved unless we educate and encourage people in the basic sciences. Today, there is a significant shortage of capable and motivated teachers, while many young people struggle simply to find employment to survive.

The message is clear: it is time to return to the fundamentals. It is time to move toward basic sciences, the core fields of knowledge where individuals can grow intellectually, contribute meaningfully to society, and actively participate in the development of India.

By strengthening our commitment to basic sciences, we invest not only in careers but in the future of our nation.

Need For Scientific Education......

 

In this era of modernization, science plays a crucial role, especially for developing countries like ours. Yet the ground reality is astonishing and deeply concerning. Why are we still unable to make significant progress in higher and advanced innovative research? Has the standard of our higher education declined so drastically that even after 85 years of independence, we have not produced a Nobel Prize winner in the sciences? Is higher education collapsing day by day?

Another uncomfortable question arises: why are the Nobel laureates of 1968, 1983, and 2009 not Indian citizens, despite being of Indian origin? Yet we proudly claim to be intellectuals, educated people, and leaders who constantly compare India with the US and the UK on every minor issue. I wonder whether these people have ever truly observed or tried to understand those societies: their public discourse, their academic debates, their documentaries, their cinema, or their intellectual culture. I am sure most of them have not.

Today, the world is talking about genome editing, brain mapping, artificial intelligence, detecting subatomic particles, gravitational waves, life-and-death decisions coded into algorithms, CRISPR technology, invisible realities, hidden dimensions, and even brain-to-brain communication.

Are we updated? Are we even aware of these developments?

Over the past few days, I discussed these topics with several so-called ganmanyas (respected individuals). Many of them did not even know the basic meaning of these terms. Do our news channels report ongoing scientific research? Hardly, unless a UFO appears to boost their TRP ratings.

So why is this happening?

Because we are deeply occupied with endless debates around “Dalits,” “Muslims,” and “Hindus.” Today, these have become the universal topics of discussion. Try, just once, to rise above these words and labels, and I am certain you will discover another, far more fascinating world beyond them.

If you genuinely want to see society grow, change the subject of your conversations. Think, question, and apply your mind to progressive ideas.

If you truly desire the welfare of humanity and want your society to be modern and progressive, you must walk hand in hand with science. Tie a knot with science.

Even today, a vast population lives in superstition and witchcraft, lacking even basic scientific understanding. If we perform a root cause analysis of these problems, we will find one fundamental issue: a lack of awareness, a lack of knowledge, and the inability to correctly identify and appreciate science.

I do not expect much from governments or political leaders anymore. Waiting for change through them alone is futile. Change must begin at the individual level.

If we educate our children properly—nurture their curiosity, scientific temper, and values—many of these problems will gradually resolve themselves. It may take time, but at least we must try.

Let's start contributing, in whatever capacity we can, to society and to science.

Please come and join “The Scientific Children”—a science reporting organization. If the world can have forums like the World Science Festival, why can’t India? Our goal is to make everyone—at least every child—scientifically aware.

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Thursday, January 28, 2016