The central government’s directive to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), asking it to generate its own funds to meet half its research expenses is not a step in the right direction (“ >Govt tells labs: fund research by yourself ,” Oct. 28). We can’t treat scientific research as a business activity with stringent financial targets and break even time limits. A scientist cannot concentrate on his research if he is overly worried about lab expenses. Further, we can achieve scientific progress only through the coordinated efforts of centres of higher learning, with adequate funding support sans strings. We can study the models of funding in advanced countries where a nodal organisation designs research projects of immediate social relevance, in consultation with universities and other research centres. It then pushes for funding, including from the government. The National Science Foundation (NSF) of the U.S. provides one such exemplary model.
K. Srinivasaragavan,
Chennai
CSIR labs were created to help the industries both at the local and global levels. However, in the last few decades, the CSIR has veered away from its objectives and its research has hardly catered to the needs of either the industry or the common man. Its labs are partly responsible for a lack of interest in the private sector to fund research as the scientists there unnecessarily seek extension of projects, without adhering to the completion dates. The time has come for scientists to submit their reports on time. Also, the government needs to foster a productive industry-academia partnership.
A.M. Dayal,
Hyderabad
