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Ahead of National Science Day (February 28) Dr Shekhar Mande, former director general, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Distinguished Professor Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule, Pune University, made a strong pitch about why careers in science can be considered to be among the exciting ones.
“It is an undisputed fact that the primary driver of human well-being and affluence has been science and technology. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the advancements in science and technology are yielding improvements in human life,” Dr Mande, who will give a speech at the Indian Embassy in Berlin, told The Indian Express.
The frontiers of Science are typically advanced in academic set-ups (Universities and National Laboratories), but also in Industrial R&D, but eventually lead to the development of new technologies, the expert pointed out.
These new technologies when adopted by industries then lead to improvement in the quality of human life. “Hence the first steps in this process are very promising and exciting and a career in science therefore can be considered to be among the most exciting ones,” Dr Mande noted.
National Science Day is celebrated on February 28 to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect. This year’s theme is `Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat’. “As we set our sights on Vikasit Bharat @2047, we must recognise the importance of fundamental science, that of translational science, and the gravity of academia-industry interactions. The last one especially has been weak in the Indian context,” Dr Mande said.
The challenges for the future, however, need disruptive solutions. The Industrial Revolution has not only led to improving the quality of life but also has had an impact on the environment. The major challenges of the future will therefore be centred on improving industrial processes, and those related to our living, without any adverse impact on the environment.
The UN has defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with an ambition to meet them before 2030. “Although much progress has been made towards meeting these goals, much more needs to be done,” Dr Mande added.
Government agencies typically attempt to keep away from the Industries, and consequently, academicians and researchers hesitate to connect with industries. “The concern is also of Vigilance while interacting with industries. It is therefore important to put in place regulatory mechanisms to avoid conflict of interest during such interactions, and provide unwavering support for academicians and researchers for undertaking industrial work,” the expert said.
Most of the well-known institutions of science and technology are within a short distance, making Pune among the most exciting places for carrying out science and technology. Dr Mande said, “Some of these research and development organisations have been outstanding in the past for carrying out highly visible research and translation.”
“Moreover, Pune also proudly boasts a very successful incubator. Together with some of the best industrial houses in Pune, cutting-edge technologies being continuously developed, an exciting start-up scenario, and high-quality educational/ research and development organisations, Pune certainly ranks up among the best cities in India for science, technology and innovation,” he said.
