Students write ‘open’ letter to PM, demand hike in stipend

In the letter, students state that they are still exploring “mysteries of government processes.”

narendra-modi, research students letter, students letter to modi

A group of research students from across the country has written an open letter to Modi.

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the inaugural session of the Indian Science Congress on Saturday, where he said that he wants India’s scientists and researchers to explore the mysteries of science and not of government procedures, a group of research students from across the country has written an open letter to Modi, stating that they are still exploring “mysteries of government processes”.

A group comprising students from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, IIT Bombay and other research institutes across the country had submitted a letter last year to the HRD Ministry, demanding a hike in their stipend.
“For more than a year, we have successfully initiated a peaceful nationwide movement to raise our voice. However, we are not sure if we should be really be proud of it or disappoint with the way our system works. After a long struggle and meeting with several Union Minsters, we finally got the notification of hike in our fellowship in October 2014. But we were disappointed with the fact that we will receive the hiked fellowship only with effect from October 2014, 4.5 years since the last hike of April 2010,” says the letter.

The letter further claims, “What was even more shocking is that the successive notifications delayed the implementation date even further, with UGC implementing it from December 2014 and MHRD from January 2015. We are still struggling for a notification from many other departments and there is complete uncertainty about all those fellowships. This has unfortunately forced us to explore the mysteries of government procedures leaving behind our science. Such a sad state of affairs is one of the major cause of large out-flux of talented minds from the country leading to brain-drain.”

According to Pankaj Jain, secretary, academic affairs, students’ council, IISc Bangalore, a copy of the letter has also been sent “by post to the Prime Minister’s Office”.

The letter demands monthly disbursal of fellowship, and claims that there are many research scholars who get their fellowships once in a year or two years.

“Contingency, medical and other rightful benefits should be ensured for all the scholars in various institutions and must be same all over India. National-exam qualified students are not willing to join in most of our universities to do research. Develop research infrastructure in the Universities and increase the scope of research for more number of students,” it says.

Besides asking the Central government to ensure the scope of continuation of research and ‘worthy’ employment after PhD and post-doctoral studies for research scholars, the letter says that researchers coming after their post-doctoral studies are struggling to get faculty or scientist positions. “The process of faculty recruitment must be transparent in all the institutes and universities. Effective measures must be taken to prevent all kinds of corruption.

Story continues below this ad

Misuse and wastage of funds, facilities must be stopped. We would be grateful if you could also grant us an appointment for a meeting so as to brief you about our issues and discuss on how can we too contribute in making India a worldwide leader in science and technology,” the letter appeals.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram