Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh, winner of the Infosys Prize 2012 for physical sciences, is currently at the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram, where he works on organic functional materials. He sees the use of these materials in sensing other molecules and for imaging of biological systems, and in the future as a diagnostic tool for the early detection of certain diseases. Ajayaghosh believes that scientists need appreciation of what they do and such awards will help science as well as scientists. "Science as a profession needs to be respected by the public for attracting bright people." Canada-born mathematician of Indian descent Manjul Bhargava, who has worked at IIT-Bombay and the
www.nature.com/nindia/2012/121130/f ull/nindia.2012.176.html 1/3
30/11/2012
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, was also an Infosys Prize awardee this year in the mathematical sciences category. Bhargava thinks that such awards help develop an atmosphere in which a scientist can feel proud of what he/she has done, where he can be motivated to do more, and where more young people can learn about these subjects and be attracted to scientific research. According to Bhargava, "Such recognition motivates not only the recipients to continue their work but help science and the next generation of scientists." But if there's so much incentive for science and scientists, what drives students in India away from science? Bhargava, who is presently at the Princeton University, points to cultural problems. "In India, there is often the attitude that if a child is good at mathematics, then he should be pushed into engineering because that's where the money is. Too many talented young Indians do not get to pursue their true passion due to such myths, and in the long run that is a mistake." Ayappanpalli Ajayaghosh "The salary structure of scientists today is comparable with any other highly paid job in this country. In addition to the normal salary, an accomplished scientist can earn an additional 2030% of the salary through incentives," Ajayaghosh agrees. Manjul Bhargava Denise Applewhite, Princeton Univ.
Mayor says it's just a perception that science is a grind and not well paid. A researcher enters a career in science to do research and not for monetary benefits. He says if the desire is to make huge amounts of money, research is the wrong choice of career. "But if the desire is to make new discoveries, this is a reward that no amount of money can buy." Ajayaghosh says private endeavours to recognise science, such as the Infosys Prize, will help promote research in India, where funding is not much of a problem. "It's really great that the private sector is coming up to support science in this way and to increase the public face of science". But at the same time, it is also important for the government to have a long-term vision for development of basic science research, Bhargava says. Otherwise, a private fund such as the Infosys Science Foundation needs to "take the necessary trouble to institute a prize that will have global recognition", Mayor adds. Richa Malhotra is a freelance science writer based in London.
EISSN 1 7 55-3 1 80 Privacy policy Use of cookies Nat urejobs Nat ure Asia
www.nature.com/nindia/2012/121130/f ull/nindia.2012.176.html
2/3