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India lacks drive in science studies
RENOWNED SCIENTIST and Nobel laureate Prof David Gross said the study of basic sciences was being neglected all over the world. Though a healthy tradition of studying science and rich human potential existed in India, people seemed to lack the drive to take science further, he said, adding that this was the reason why China seemed to be miles ahead in the field.
RENOWNED SCIENTIST and Nobel laureate Prof David Gross said the study of basic sciences was being neglected all over the world. Though a healthy tradition of studying science and rich human potential existed in India, people seemed to lack the drive to take science further, he said, adding that this was the reason why China seemed to be miles ahead in the field.
Prof Gross was in the city to deliver the first HRI-Triveni lecture on the ‘Future of Physics’ at Harish Chandra Research Institute.
Prof Gross along with Frank Wilczek and David Politzer, was awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of Asymptotic freedom.
Addressing mediapersons on the prospects of science in India and the present world scenario just before his scheduled talk on Tuesday, Prof Gross said people’s power could open up unlimited possibilities for India and had the strength to take the country forward. “However, low literacy among the people is a hurdle in India’s progress,” he said.
Prof Gross further said talented Indian engineers and IT professionals were doing a commendable job abroad, but the progress in China was faster, especially in the field of science.
“China is investing greatly to further increase its pace of development and it also has the will and determination to emerge at the top of the world. China is also laying special stress on basic sciences while designing its syllabus,” Prof Gross added.
He said even more possibilities existed in India as it had a rich tradition of study of sciences and a large English-literate population. “Indians are making great strides in IT in the world. However, India still does not have a proper future plan in place. They also need to overcome the tendency to be satisfied at the number two or number three positions. India needs a more determined and focussed approach to emerge at the top of the world in the field of technology and become an economic superpower,” he said.
Prof Gross also said the India should try to get the talent that has gone abroad back.
Later, during the inaugural HRI-Triveni lecture on the ‘Future of Physics’, Prof Gross presented a grand perspective of the different pressing problems of fundamental physics. He also emphasised how well trained persons in the discipline of physics could make important contributions in other branches of knowledge, such as neurobiology, genetics and computing among others.
HRI director Prof Amitava Raychaudhuri felicitated Prof Gross and his wife, Jackie Savani, on the occasion.
