Jairam Ramesh and the Indian Academics

What was once a shining beacon of scholarship in the Asian context with the likes of Raman, Bose and others have now degenerated into a morass of poor quality research. I applaud Jairam Ramesh for raising this issue especially since such statements are generally followed by a lot of shrill outrage from the parties at which this was aimed. The bottom line is that even looking at the top Institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science or the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research there is very little output in high impact science. I see a huge upsurge however in China. Some may argue that China has put in a lot more resources, however India has had a much longer and frankly freer system in place which instead of growing has decayed. The huge difference is that in India no proper accountability and reward system is implement, instead we have a strange inclination towards seniority. What needs to be done is to make academics truly independent and let the rewards be given on the basis of output. It should also start by ensuring good top line hires. We need to separate top line hires from those needed for purely teaching duties, with top line researchers given selective classes to teach and time for running their respective research groups. Institutions should be unshackled from the Ministry (Jairam are you listening). Do not let the Babus control these institutions, but give them the financial and academic independence they deserve. This starts by hiring the best Directors for the IITs and Universities. I have seen enough political lackies get appointed who have no management experience. Once appointed, these directors should be given the independence to shape the their respective institutions.

I hope I see some of this happen in my lifetime.

Hi jst got news of the Left ouster and so its from the sloths to absolute always a no no for the future of bongs