HYDERABAD: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Y S Chowdary today said he is passionate about setting up an institute that would focus only on research and will create a big impact as well as help people.
“My biggest focus today, and passion, is to create a institute which will only focus on research which will impact the world, change the perception of Indian research capabilities – from conceptualisation to execution, to collaboration to funding, to commercialisation, creating patents and IP, and further down, to get commercialised and reach the market,” he told PTI in an interview.
He said he always wondered why no Indian living and working in India wins the Noble Prize in the category of science though the country possessed immense talent.
“One of the biggest thoughts I have, especially around the September-October time last few years, is why no Indian living and working in India wins the Noble Prize, especially in the Sciences category of physics, chemistry and medicine. We have the scientists of the highest calibre – we have the funnel for talent – primary and high schools that lay strong foundations for science and math – great institutions of graduation and post-graduation, and we have high quality research institutions. And we have several examples of Indian-born and educated scientists becoming Noble Laureates with their work in the USA,” Chowdary said.
The endeavour of the NDA government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to restructure science and technology, research and innovation and promote entrepreneurship so as to create jobs and “unleash MSMEs”, he said.
“Modi government’s biggest contributions in this context will be to restructure our science and technology, research and innovation, and entrepreneurship and startups eco-system as to create jobs, new industries, unleash MSMEs, lead Make in India; and on the other hand, to create a Nobel Prize winning integrated premier research lab – with a tangible goal for 2035,” he said.
The government is continuously taking stock of the gaps and mismatch between requirements and expectations vis-à-vis ongoing R&D focus, the Union Minister said.
“We are continuously taking stock of the gaps and mismatch between requirements and expectations vis-a-vis current R&D focus. While showcasing what has been done so far, we are taking corrective measures to change the course, wherever we find misplaced priorities. This is a non-monetary measure.”
Many people, including media, always look for enhancements in budgetary allocations or spending on R&D, whenever one has to talk of a big push. We are of the view that assessment of the current status has to be complete before any such big financial commitments are made. Modiji’s government will take all necessary steps, whenever required,” he said.
Chowdary also said media needs to spread the message that it takes lot of time for pure sciences to yield products or solutions against ICT which is more time specific and glamorous.
“ICT is a small portion of science and technology, but a highly glamorous one – which has dominated media and public attention. We are witnessing a revolution in ICT, while there may not be such revolutions in other areas, which, however, does not mean that nothing significant is happening there. You must agree that ICT is a low hanging fruit that can be harnessed easily. Gadgets can be easily imported, applications can be developed by talented youngsters in no time. The time, money and manpower required from conceptualising of ideas to development is low. The shelf life of ICT solutions is also limited, though there is a huge impact,” he said.
“The life cycle is a bit longer in so far as R&D, technologies, solutions in other fields, especial life sciences. They deal with life – human beings, animals and plants. They deal with environment. So by their very nature, it is not possible to churn out technologies or solutions or products in quick succession. People must understand that a march ahead in pure sciences and theory takes what in ICT context maybe a generation. Media must understand this, and then spread the understanding to general public,” Chowdary added. (AGENCIES)
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