I wasn’t the science teacher’s pet in school. And I can’t confess I know too many scientists either. Yet, over time, I’ve come to appreciate the role of science in our society. And I have often wondered why India produces so many brilliant minds in the world of science—each of whom leave their impact on our world, but choose to work out of laboratories many thousands of miles away.
I hear the all-too-familiar reasons. That our scientists are prone to writing academic papers, but can’t apply their knowledge to solving real-life problems. Our research institutions don’t have a culture that rewards the discovery of new ideas. Our innovation system is broken. So, even the few ideas that do come through don’t end up getting funded. And what’s more, our business people don’t see the value of research. They’d rather rely on that much-abused term: Jugaad.(This story appears in the 02 March, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
This really looks like an ambitious project and a very interesting one too! Hope to learn a lot more about the cutting edge work. Our local media hardly covers all this stuff now.
on Feb 17, 2012Eagerly looking forward to reading Forbes India's special package on Innovation. As Steve Jobs said : "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." And India has to be a Leader in all respects.
on Feb 17, 2012