Topical

Sunday Column 02-07-2023

The world is fond of celebrating “days”, like woman’s day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, doctor’s day, children’s day etc, etc. but have you heard of a researcher’s day or a scientist’s day? Not to my knowledge. Last two centuries were primarily driven by advances in science and technology. Whatever advances we have made in our life, whatever comforts, may it be travel, communication, improvement in basic health, longevity are all results of basic research in science and their implementation in technology.

Imagine you are enjoying a musical program. You are enthralled by the performance of the singer. At the end you applaud him. Most of the credit goes to the performing artist. Maybe the accompanying musicians, the song writer get a fleeting mention. But what about the people who perform behind the stage? No one knows or remembers them.

You routinely use a mobile. Do you know the name of the person who invented it? This world literally runs on semiconductors. Know who created the first transistor? Or the first computer? Or who built the first rocket? You do not and you do not care. You take things for granted. You know it is there. The blood and sweat spent in making those things are forgotten.

It is time we start paying attention to researchers. They are more important than all these business tycoons and financiers in the long run. If research stops, world can come to a standstill in no time.

Researchers are the lowest paid and least recognised people in the world. The situation is more pathetic in India. Sadly, my alma matter, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research dose not even feature in the list of top research institutes in the country, let alone the world. No scientific administration worth the name, no proper accountability, people living in their past glories, failure to attract quality students has led to falling research standards. When I read about job opportunities in the research field in this country, TIFR does not even get a mention. TIFR still has some brilliant research minds, but, what are they delivering?

This country spends thousands of crores on cricket and IPL. Do you know that BCCI is a private entity, registered as a charitable institution, makes huge profits, and does not pay a single rupee as tax to the government? You and me are feeding it and politicians associated with it are minting money, not to mention free travel and stay and so on? Just find out how a research scientist earns per annum for a change.

Point is, it is time we started recognising our unsung heroes, in any walk of life for that matter. They are the building blocks on which the world stands today. Let us give them their dues.

Shashank Purandare 02/07/2023