INDIAN SCIENCE AT A CROSSROADS: THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000100 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV SCUL TSPL PREL ENRG IN SUBJECT: INDIAN SCIENCE AT A CROSSROADS: THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: During the Indian National Science Academy's (INSA) 75th anniversary celebration, presenters raved over India's extraordinary accomplishments in science and technology at the same time they lamented India's lost scientific prowess, lack of diversity, and failure to keep up with the rest of the world. The celebration focused on the need to develop the next generation of science luminaries, but the program was controlled by the "old guard" of Indian science and neglected an opportunity to engage young scientists in the dialogue. A major change in senior personnel, or their paradigms, is needed to overcome the Indian science community's inability to achieve its acknowledged need for transformation. END SUMMARY ¶2. (U) One of India's oldest and most prestigious scientific associations, INSA plays a critical role in advising the Government of India on science matters, making decisions on science funding, and promoting Indian science both domestically and abroad. The who's who of Indian science attended to celebrate INSA's 75th year and while most of the day's presentations simply glorified Indian science and scientists, some risked a look into the uncertain realm of the future. ¶3. (U) During his opening remarks, INSA president M. Vijayan began by lauding India's scientific accomplishments, both ongoing and past, such as the green revolution and India's pharmaceutical industry. However, he quickly switched gears and said that India was no longer a superpower in third world science and that "in the global scenario, Indian science is in crisis." The first reason he gave was the structure of Indian science - which needed to become less bureaucratic, less hierarchical, more autonomous, and more participatory - and the second was significant deficiencies in the quality of higher education. (NOTE: A 2008 Ernst and Young report, "Globalizing Higher Education in India," found that India had a 53 percent shortage of engineers and an 83 percent shortage of scientists with doctoral qualifications. END NOTE) ¶4. (U) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh echoed Vijayan's remarks on the state of Indian science, and said that India and INSA need to focus on improving the quality of science education starting in primary schools and progressing through to the universities, with a concentration on attracting and retaining top-notch teachers. His next priorities for the future of Indian science were energy and the environment. He stated that in order to respect the world's limited natural resources and reduce India's footprint on the environment, India's growing need for energy must be met by focusing on energy efficient systems. ¶5. (U) The only female speaker, Dr. Saman Habib of the Central Drug Research Institute, pointed out that while she applauded efforts to bring in young researchers, there remained a need for more diversity in Indian science policy and project approval. She noted that despite a recent availability of more funds, project implementation was restricted by moribund decision-making committees comprised of the same 25 to 30 senior scientists who enforced their will and steered research based on personal agendas regardless of their scientific expertise or disciplines. Dr. Habib was the only young, and only female, scientist allowed to present. In addition, the question and answer session designed for young researchers and students was cut off for lack of time due to senior researchers monopolizing the podium and in some cases, using twice their allotted time. ¶6. (U) GOI principal Scientific Advisor Dr. R. Chidambaram indicated that India needed to enhance its performance in basic sciences. He said that present spending was focused on capacity building and India-centric self-directed proprietary research, but in areas like climate change, India had to work towards collaborative innovation with the international community. Dr. Mashelkar, former Director General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, highlighted India's need to expand its scientific base, draw as many young people as possible into science, and work quickly on scale and sustainability if Indian science was to ever help the nation move forward. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: The true state of Indian science is often difficult to ascertain amidst the self-congratulatory propaganda and NEW DELHI 00000100 002 OF 002 false claims of credit for successes that were in fact brought about by international assistance. In addition, it seems many younger scientists feel unable to reach their potential under the current hide-bound and hierarchical system. Based on multiple conversations with visiting U.S. scientific delegations as well as site visits to various labs and institutions, it appears the Indian science community is often benefiting from U.S. expertise without offering in return the innovative technology and research their pubic statements suggest they can. A critical self-evaluation by the scientific establishment is required to get India back on track in science, though that is unlikely to come about until the next generation of scientists begins to attain decision-making positions. Recognition by PM Singh and senior scientists of the need for reforms, and Dr. Habib's willingness to publicly address the lack of diversity, are certainly good and vital first steps to that end. END COMMENT WHITE