Is there nothing in this country of substance beyond Bollywood, cricket and politicians?
The country is reeling under a power crisis. Villages go without electricity for long hours. Yet, there is opposition to nuclear power and all the explanations of expert scientists do not seem to carry conviction. Even if a disaster like Fukushima were to happen, would it not be insignificant compared to the huge loss in terms of men and material, which the country is suffering due to a lack of adequate power generation? What is the difficulty in accepting all power generation strategies, from windmill to nuclear?
Grain production is stagnating at 200+million tonnes, while China is at 500+million tonnes. We will soon exceed China's population. Millions of children are dying of mal/under-nutrition. All the traditional practices and resources have not mitigated the tragedy. But the country will oppose GM technology, which has the potential to increase productivity and the nutritive quality of grain.
There is strident activism against GM technology in the name of environment and biodiversity. There is a constant vertical and horizontal transfer of genes in evolution. How did the 2,000 varieties of brinjal evolve, if it is not through gene changes? What does it matter, if a couple of transgenes (e.g. Bt gene) are transferred to unintended targets? Experience for over a decade has shown that Bt gene is benign and Bt corn and Bt cotton have not caused authenticated damage to individuals or environment. Even so, activists have succeeded in demonising the Bt with highly exaggerated negative claims.
Cultivation of Bt cotton has changed the face of India from an importing destination to an exporting country. If Bt rice with balanced protein and micronutrients were to be available, it would revolutionalise the health of millions of children in the mid-day meal programme. Why cannot organic farming, traditional practices, marker-assisted breeding and GM crops co-exist?
Even if there is one vaccine-related death, for no fault of the vaccine itself, the media would write the epitaph on the product. There are activists preaching against vaccines, a weapon for mass protection over centuries. Ayurveda is projected as a great traditional wisdom, which is true. But it need not be pitted against modern medical science. Even spiritual yoga gurus, who deride modern medicine, rush to allopathy in emergency. Is it not true that Ayurveda has been corrupted by quacks and lack of scientific validation? How can anecdotal experience make it internationally acceptable? How is it that experts abound in astrology, numerology, etc., dominating TV shows and finding solutions for every ailment?
If scientists speak up, they are labelled as arrogant or consigned to the pay books of multinationals. It is true that there is opposition among scientists themselves on some of these issues. Each area has become much specialised and older generations, barring some, are not in touch with the developments. But they would not hesitate to make sweeping generalisations.
Differences in opinion are exploited by vested interests to derail technology rather than to find ways to objectively deal with the differences and get the best out of technology. The only science the country seems to appreciate is the satellite launch shown on TV channels. I have hardly seen any scientist figuring in “Indian of the year” or “heroes of the year” shows of popular TV channels, which seem to set the agenda for the country. Scientists may say that they do not care (they do care!).
Is there nothing in this country of substance beyond Bollywood, cricket and politicians? But more seriously, if young minds do not opt for science, where are the role models? Several scientists quietly work day and night, unseen and unsung. The Nobel Prize will not descend from the heaven, unless an appropriate environment is created and the role of scientists is appreciated. No technology comes without a risk and any one technology will not solve all our problems. But unbridled activism against science and scientists will only lead us to miss out on technology options. We need to give S&T a chance to deliver. I am sure, eventually, nuclear power can take care of at least 25 per cent of India's requirements. GM technology can increase food productivity and improve nutritive quality. We cannot cut off our nose to spite our face or throw the baby out with the bathwater.
(The writer is NASI-Platinum Jubilee Chair/Honorary Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. His email ID is: geepee@ biochem.iisc.ernet.in)
Keywords: science, technology, GM crops, scientific research, Indian society, Indian scientists
Comments:
Well balanced article. Was trying hard to get to this article in the Hindu webpage, but it wasn't easy. It appears that the Hindu also does not care much for Science. The main page on 'Open Page' the four other articles are featured but not this one! All I can do is to give a link to my facebook page.
Wow I'm truly disappointed by this Hindu's article. It's not about
safety parameters after Japan's situation. But we have got so many
things which can produce as much power as the total proposed capacity of
the plant, say Concentrated Solar Power/ Solar farm(oh I've got accurate
numbers to back up my theory, email me!), these things could produce so
many jobs, yet produce non-paranoid form of electricity. and on top of
all that there is stuxnet! and there is a very good chance it could
already be infected@
While Prof.Padmanaban does argue rightly about the perils of a kind of anti-science mentality, he misses the very point scientists today are accused of: viewing everything from top-down and the very western perspective of the world. Scientists sit at niche stages and drum beat the 'scientific principles', without knowing the MNC lobby that has put them to do that. It may be easy to argue that Bt products are good, but when you can't educate the people to use it in the right way, it is worse than even the activists propagate. Where were the scientists when the social catastrophe that Bt cotton caused in the Vidharbha ? While arguing about Ayurveda/Siddha as anecdotal is right, how much of credibility that this scientific community gives to a person who performs fundamental work in these areas? Or how much of money is being spend by the government to standardize these medicines? India looks anti-science because Prof. thinks that Society is just about science. Prof., Society is not a Lab.
India becoming anti-science? It has always been anti-science. I think our people, simply put, have no scientific temper at all. They will educate their children in modern science and decide on their future by consulting horoscopes. Even Sir CV Raman's wife consulted astrologers. India is a superstitious nation, afraid of the future based on unfounded predictions by charlatans and demagogues. The scientific community with in the establishment seems to be helpless. Luddites are winning. Sad, indeed. Even The Hindu newspaper has given the lastest slot to your well written exhortation in the print edition and in the web edition it can be reached only after a number of clicks. That is where science in India belongs to. An invisible corner.
One of the reasons why we are unable to go head in the fields of science and Technology in the matters relating to GM technology in agriculture and Nuclear power in this power starved nation is VOTE BANK POLITICS. Nothing else.
I for once was captivated by the very title and went through your esteemed lines with much interest to find myself disappointed and troubled to say the least.What i expected was some valuable lessons on our indifference on research front,though you did end your lecture on that note,what i saw was some distorted naive inferences and that too from man of such literary credentials.I do agree that we are running out of energy and nuclear is one option. But Fukushima was a wakeup call- not only for security reasons but since the cost of rebuilding has been estimated at yen;10 trillion ($122 billion). Just imagine for a land of billion people where more than 70 % live in utter poverty ,can we risk it? Now the genetic engineering part-for a limited resource country like India ,it's a necessary evil. But for most its negativity outclass its advantages.And its our pious responsibility to protect and preserve environment and biodiversity while looking for sustainable development.
If the science improves the immunity and re productivity of brinjal it will get warm welcome like the other BT's. cutting the re productivity chain with every crop cycle will lead nothing but dependency on corporate. already we lose our independence on fertilizers and other chemicals in agri. those are now became evil essentials. in their early usage it already killed all living natural organisms from the soil which is very tough to reverse. we are purchasing these from international market, if those countries gone war our partial population will left with no food. we all have to face next drought. GREAT IMPROVEMENT!!!! WE ARE LUCKY!!! Its not happened so far. Same may happen on POWER with no atomic FUEL Independent and Indigenous always wins!!! When deal with new technologies, deserve some level of compromises in the beginning. the same should be streamlined after a while. or else Darwin win's.
Dear sir the article is well argued and impressive. Yes science and technology are the means to deliver, and not methods to deliver! Targeting activists and activism is not a way, yes every things comes at risk! One of the beauty of science is it talks about limitations! and most of the advances in technology and science will not come at a affordable cost? and it is being sold rather than being distributed.
Our table science doesn't match in the farmers' field. They are finding more rational solutions than ours. So, lets don't disturb them, in the name of economic driven technologies. Without Bt Brinjal none of the farmer or the people would die. Its even not a staple food or even not a main nutritive source for Indians. There are good native varieties and there are very good eco-friendly technologies to produces good brinjal. Farmers life and resources (biodiversity and hard work) cannot be experimented for companies profits. Introducing Golden GM rice (with Vit.A) is a comedy in this country with 1 million paddy varieties with several colours and greens leafy vegetables with several shades. Its purely motivated one, by few private international mafias in coalition with post independent non- native pro-west government, who sell farm inputs. Find ways to acclimatize yourself along with nature and not nature acclimatizing to your city driven, luxury driven civilization.
you said "The only science the country seems to appreciate is the satellite launch shown on TV channels" but did you notice that before and after every launch the director of the ISRO visits Tirumala for god Balaji's blessing. Sir here in India even satellites are launched with the grace of god. Presidents and Prime ministers prostrate on the feet of hippies.. As long as the religion continues to rule every second of our life Science remains a satan's work. For better or worse the fact is India is anti Science.
@Mahesh: the cost $122 bn was not only because of Fukushima. It was because of earthquake and tsunami...
A good article..altered-form in any sense to me. "I have hardly seen any scientist figuring in 'Indian of the year' or 'heroes of the year' shows of popular TV channels, which seem to set the agenda for the country. Scientists may say that they do not care (they do care!).The line sums up everything!
For once, The Hindu has published a sane piece on science and technology by one of the leading scientists of the country. Dr. G. Padmanabhan, and he was surprised too. otherwise, The Hindu is strongly biased against GM crops and only publishes interviews and articles and opinions of anti-GM scientists like Dr. Pushpa Bhargava and other NGO scientists like Dr. Suman Sahai. Yes, once in a while it publishes a pro-GM article/opinion by the likes of Prof. Ron Herring of Cornell University, just because he happens to be a gora and a personal friend of its editor. Otherwise, The Hindu has consistently rejected all articles that are pro-GM based on science and science alone. I am the personal victim of The Hindu bias. Since the GM science and the nuclear energy are highly politicized by the anti-technology environmental activists, there is no hope that even this piece by Dr. Padmanabhan will change any heart. Not much of hope in the environmental cacophony of India.
Another advantage of GM crops is that they may require lesser amount of pesticides, if they are resistant to pests. If people understand and are more educated in detail about the what and how of GM crops, they will accept it better. No one forces GM crops on farmers. If farmers feel they do not benefit from GM crops, they are free to abandon it.
This article appears to be result of haplessness of a scientist watching helplessly how some activists have hijacked the technological advancements which otherwise would have changed the lifestyle of millions of Indians, though with some amount of risk. Time has come for science policy administrators not to get carried away by such voices of the so called saviours of the nation and take stick to safeguard the interest of hard core science.
This is a landmark article about priorities of indian people.Thank you for this artcle Sir.
Right issue has raised in this article.I am also science student but now turned towards management because of earning point of view.Now days numbers of obstacle has been created by government like you need to secure 60% for IIT entrance examination. Is this right way to judging an individual on the only bases of mark sheet mark. We need to hard home work to promote science.
An excellent article.The writer needs a pat on his back for expressing the opinions of educated people....But sorry sir ..For ruling class Indians only construction of places of worship and religious thoughts, hatred feeling towards people of different castes and religions, filling their own pockets at any cost etc are more important than feeding even their own community's poor people and last point India will never escape from the albatross i.e. corrupt ruling Royal Dynasty of India which has been constantly making blunders after blunders, be it signing Tashkent agreement with Pakisthan or any issue and has continued to assert its power indirectly through a plain blunt honest Indian who will act as a blanket to cover the corrupt Royal Family of India. Only money matters every thing. Poor will just be manipulated to vote for selfish politicians making the poor die within the next five year term and make politicians themselves become richer. Its high time all parties come together.
It is heartening to read eminent scientist Prof. G. Padmanabhan's proactive article on Science & Technology. This is indeed a great motivation for the young and energetic young generation of our country. We should allow our farmers to use the latest technologies for improving farm productivity. I understand that these products have been tested in a large number of organisms and are safe for human consumption. GM food crops such as GM Maize have been grown in a large number of countries including USA, China and Germany. China is also in the forefront of this technology. Let us move forward...
Thank You Sir for this article. Activist and people think were blind. They opposed Technology without knowing/understanding it. I hope my fellow Indians change.
Dr Govindaswamy Padmanaban expects the Indian public to laud the scientists in spite of what he did along with others with the Bt brinjal 'scientific review'!! Scientists in the country live in their ivory towers, don't hesitate in exhibiting sheep mentality without any scientific rationale or evidence and expect the public in a democracy to trust them! why did not even one scientist come forward to analyse the biosafety data of Bt brinjal, for instance, when there was so much controversy? Prof Padmanaban's biases are well known and democratisation of S&T being termed as anti-science is in itself an unscientific stance! All the things he says abt GM are disproven on scientific grounds, incidentally!
I am not a S&T expert but what I think could be the real problem in adapting these technologies is their "place of birth". Why should we PURCHASE when we can innovate. What message will this give to youth? To solve electricity problem, is going nuclear the only way? We even have to buy fuel for these plants "again" from some other country? Is this needed? Also, there are much much safer alternatives like solar, wind, etc. Did we SERIOUSLY evaluate those? Fact is every country that is promoting "their" technology is doing it for 'money & control'. So, where is national security? BT products might be ok, but do we really
need it? India has been historically an agri-based nation and farming is no stranger to us. We were never in short supply of food. Current cases are not because of climate or lack of land. But solely because of lack of interest and lack of recognition to that field of science. Promote agriculture first and only if we fail then, we should be thinking of other alternatives
I concur with Prof. Padmanabhan. GM crops are need of the hour and our Government should come forward and ensure speedy release of GM crops.
Brilliant Article.
I am appalled at some of the comments.
People are giving their opinions about Bt. Brinjal/Fukushima et al.
but end up mixing everything.
What can be explained by a policy failure of the Govt. can hardly be
blamed on the scientists.
What is even more appalling is the comments of the few accusing
scientists of not being truthful.
I would like to say that "Science is NOT a democracy". Scientists
alone have the right to pass judgments in such cases. Whether a case
of nuclear power or GM crops, their safety et al. can't be decided by
voting, but by the rigid application of scientific principles which
scientists alone are capable of doing.
The real problem with BT is not any impact on biodiversity or environment. The real problem is the large number of patents held by multinational corporations on BT crops. What this means is, farmers can't reuse the seeds obtained from BT crops without paying royalties. Unfortunately, nobody's debating this aspect.
Brilliant Article.
I am appalled at some of the comments.
People are giving their opinions about Bt. Brinjal/Fukushima et al.
but end up mixing everything.
What can be explained by a policy failure of the Govt. can hardly be
blamed on the scientists.
What is even more appalling is the comments of the few accusing
scientists of not being truthful.
I would like to say that "Science is NOT a democracy". Scientists
alone have the right to pass judgments in such cases. Whether a case
of nuclear power or GM crops, their safety et al. can't be decided by
voting, but by the rigid application of scientific principles which
scientists alone are capable of doing.
Huge population, a large percentage of the population at the BPL level, illiteracy, language
Barriers, different practices and customs throughout the nation--- the issues are many and
No government has the Aladdins magic wand to solve these problems overnight. Even the
Superpowers of yesterday are now fighting for survival due to the global recession and the
Writer heron feels that we should be careful while arriving at conclusions about the future of
India. The fact remains that India has progressed after India became free and investors
from the west are now looking to India deeply. The criticism that in India there is nothing
Beyond "cricket, Bollywood and politicians " does not appear to be fair in this background.
There is a saying in management that "one should not merely look at the trees, but view
The forest as a whole ",and in this perspective, India has progressed. We honoured Swami
Vivekananda, Gurudev and now Ramanujan. Let's be constructive.
Sir, I completely agree with your opening sentence on Bollywood, Cricket and Politicians. There are a few questions I would like to ask. 1) Doesn't BT give monopoly on the seeds to private companies? What will happen to the local breeds?2) There must be more openings in high end Research in all fields around the country on a meritocratic basis, with pay similar to IT industry. Why is that in India after 60 years there are not enough seats in good institutions for aspiring students. Many I know are forced to take up alternative career paths due to lack of seats. In the US a single university can take 20-30000 students and also have openings for Ph.D's more than the number of natives, and because of this foreign students are able to study alongside. If you can do something about this it will help.
Does being pro-science mean trying proven-to-be-unsafe technologies or not-yet-proven-to-be safe technologies in a large scale? If yes, India is definitely not pro-science and it is good in a way. When the opinion on these technologies is very much divided in the scientific circles itself and there is a lot of opposition to these technologies in developed countries too, arguing that we should welcome them with open hands doesnt sound reasonable.
Btw, we dont see any opposition to safer technologies like wind power.. right? Also it is not just loss of some men and material that opponents fear, it is the irreversible changes these technologies do to the environment and the possible losses to future generations as well that is under consideration. There is a lot of malnutrition also due to the distribution policies and practice of governments, that can be easily addressed. We will do equally good if some of it can be addressed.
Another one sided article by a so-called lauded scientist. It is idiotic to think that Bt crops are going to save us. What happened with Bt Cotton loosing its efficacy in pest-resistance ? What happens to the millions in flight of capital from marginal farmers pockets when crops fails and they have to buy seed from profiteering MNCs at a price they name ? Allow me to say but using a Bt product is tantamount to suicide for small farmers (which is the largest segment of Indian agriculturists). Why are we bent on using an idiotic product line like Bt? Does anyone publicize that Bt crops are Roundup (protected against the weedicide Roundup - which the seed seller markets exclusively) ready ? So instead of using more of a variety of pesticides (but keeping the crop gene biodiversity and the seeds for replanting free for free), how is buying Bt seeds and Roundup are premium prices from MNCs suddenly better ? It is not as if Bt crops are chemical free ... it only gives all keys to the MNC.
Our energy and food shortages do have scientific solutions as the Professor rightly points out. It is incumbent on the Indian scientific class that the writer represents, to explain and communicate the benefits of scientific/technological solutions to the nation’s problems.Solar energy is abundant and free- why not advocate for its adoption rather than rail against opposition to nuclear projects? Our fellow citizens who stand to be disproportionately affected by the downside of technical solutions like nuclear power, do deserve a bigger say in the matter because they have more skin in the game than the rest of us. Indian scientists looking for a voice in the public square need to come off their high horse and engage with the ordinary folks to explain and communicate the technology choices before them. If you want a seat at the table, do the hard work of engaging the citizens to help them understand science in the public interest. If this is not in your job description, it should be!
This is with reference to one of the comments about the reuse of Bt brinjal seeds. I understand from one of the published articles about the possibility to reuse the Bt brinjal seeds of various varieties without paying royalties to the companies. Please go through the following published paper for details. (Deepthi E. Kolady and William Lesser (2008) Can Owners Afford Humanitarian Donations in Agbiotech? The Case of Genetically Engineered Eggplant in India. Electronic Journal of Biotech. Vol. 11(2).
People seem to equate GM with Bt, Bt with round-up ready,"seed company" with MNC and technology with idiocy. Brilliant. Activists/environmentalists/even Govt committees object to hydroelectric projects (silent valley project abandoned, athirappally project not approved); wind farms are forced to shut down; nuclear power is a no-no. But we all want malls and cinemas and homes air-conditioned. Forget AC, we don't have enough power to enable surgeons to complete their surgeries. But ha, some think that Sun will directly provide electric power for all our needs. That you cannot use second generation seeds has nothing to do with GM technology or Bt. It is inherent nature of hybrid seeds. Planes carry the risk of a crash and if you keep worrying about it, you will never travel. Enjoy your daily dose of pesticides and crucify all scientists who support technological advances. Autar Pental said this 3 decades ago- Indians lack the scientific temper. GP and Shanthu are saying the same thing now.
I doubt the credibility of this author as a distinguished scientist. The point raised in this column are intended to speed up the progress, but actually it is nothing but a devastating short-cut. Even you have more than five nuclear power plants in coming decades, it will not constitute more than 10% of country's demand of power. While advocating nuclear power, you have to mention the huge cost to/maintain, not to mention the health-hazards. What he wrote about GM food and BT cotton, is absolute trash. The whole country will be infertile within few decades if you run these crops...Mr. Scientist ignores these points...remembering the golden-egg laying fable? I suggest not to be too conscious about green/GM food revolution. Please acknowledge the cases with BT products.
The article shows the frustration of India based Indian Scientist & is alarming for Indians scientist outside India who are thinking to join their own country. India, at the moment is purely a commercially driven society. It is so because since decades, while kids are growing up, most parents forced Students into crazy 'marks' driven rat race. This is the starting point of meaningless striving in individuals life. The big questions which come up later in the society do not arise all of a sudden. What is the compensation for students for deep understanding of the Scientific concepts ?, Nothing. Eventually students run after fat pay packages and purely reject or do not find (actually become incapable to find) any challenge in the development of science. So let's remember, any change in soceity begins at Home, it is going to take time..and more so if we do not give freedom to kids with what they want to do. I am sure there will be handful who would want to join Basic Sciences on their own.
No, not anti-science, just against dubious technology which has a bad track record of safety. Why should people of a certain locality live under perpetual fear of a meltdown so that other people can have power for ACs, blazingly-lit billboards and day-night cricket matches? I am sure all people will support scientists who devise ways to make power use more efficient, cut waste, and develop renewable sources like solar energy. And how can Bt Brinjal curb poverty - should not the scientists work to curb rampant population growth and wastage of food? What about the voluntary withdrawal of various GM crops like StarLink Canola? There was no opposition to good hybrid varieties, if you remember, so no one is anti-new crops. A scientist can be a 'Person of the Year' if (s)he cares to develop something that is safe, affordable, and useful to a majority of the people (like iPad). Until then, researchers can be grateful that they have a good life of no accountability for their public funding.
I fear that the UK is going in the same direction. Here, far too many of our children aspire to be pop stars or glamour models. Our school exam results reflect the fact that fewer and fewer students are tackling science subjects and opting for the easy subjects such as drama and dance/media studies etc - which do not lead them to regular and safe employment. Surely schools must take some of the blame for this - each school must have a proportiion of students who are able and willing to forge ahead in science and maths. This situation will now lead to a lack of science/maths teachers - where will we go from there?
How I would reason it : India, at the moment, by and large, is purely a commercially driven society. If the business demands then a little bit of bare minimum science will be done. It is so because since decades, while kids were growing up, most parents (or students themselves) forced Students into crazy 'marks' driven rat race. It's another pity that real geniuses which came out from this, wanted to join 'Soap Marketing' or 'Trading' after graduating from IITs. Exceptional, very few, did some good work. This shows that their wasn't any clarity offered by anybody or opted by these geniuses. They went (with their practical short sight) with the flow. Did not mind to observe where they are actually heading. Was this the way to tackle ? The big questions which came up later in the society did not arise all of a sudden. What was the compensation for students for deep understanding of the Scientific concepts ?..Nothing. Eventually many ran after fat pay packages and purely rejected or didn't find (actually became incapable to recognize) any challenge in the development of basic science. Any change in society
begins at Home. Isn't it ?
Wonderful article; it was time someone with the right credentials came up with something like this. Poignant title that conveys the essence of the message straight between the eyes. I hope those in power will take note and public acceptance will grow towards science and technology.
Kudos, to Professor Padmanaban for bringing this issue up in the media. May his tribe increase!
The society is not against science. Most of the anti science movements are driven by the political class and some are fueled by media. In today`s environment everything is driven by commercial aspect not the quality aspect. Cricket, movies all are losing their quality. Most of the inventions occurred outside India as R&D attracts very little investment inn the country. Standard of science education is not per the standard despite the best efforts from government. Hence the latest science inventions are unable to build up confidence among the masses. Other than this people have little faith on politicians and their policy. A little doubt in their mind take the shape of agitation with the help of wrong information available all around.
I just read today Phillipines has now 39% of it's electricity from renewable sources. In the meanwhile France that runs it's entire program on nuclear has gone down the drain economically. U.S. and Japan are both in a economic mess. Both countries ran their grids heavily on nuclear. Use logic and reason. Why are they broke? With all the promises that nuclear makes, it has not delivered to these advanced countries How will it then help us? Do you really think nuclear power will give electricity to the villages? There is no infrastructure (transmission towers, wires etc) for all the towns
far flung in remote regions. Best way for villages to get electricity is for the government to fit solar and wind systems on individual homes that don't require grids, wires, transmission towers and billing
bureaucracy. The IT has come out with a Solar spindle that can power
an IPAD with solar or daylight in 4 hours. The villagers don't want nuclear plants in their backyard . Nuclear is a dead loss!
Ideas , policies , concepts based on foul systems , organisation, structures and institutions need to be dethroned. Creativity need to brought to central roll in all our activities . We are away form evil millennium into Green age and Organic era . Frugal spending is order of the day . Science was long misapplied by West and East aped it and now people are aware of it in media messages. Faith is whole of whole , Science is part of part. Success of science is nothing to be proud of , it has ruined humanity more than it has helped in get happiness. It has produce rich men with emotional beggry. Psychoanlysts sell in but will not believe in the existence of Soul . Thus science is more mysterius than the astrology itself is . Certainly science has served its purpose and we need to stop it eco destruction at all cost.
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