Monday, November 18, 2013

Quick notes: Starving science, psecurism in schools...

  • C.N.R. Rao bemoans lack of funding for science: On an average, funding for science was just 20% of what was needed for specific projects, and it never comes on time. The government appeared to be giving more importance to sport. The future of India is secure if it invests in basic science and science education. Only countries that have advanced scientifically have made progress. Investment in science should be raised from 1 per cent of the GDP to 6 per cent if India had to keep pace with China and South Korea. India ranks 66 among 140 countries on innovation.


  • Bharat Ratna awardee Prof CNR Rao vents out anger at politicians: "Our investments are marginal, comes late.... for that money we have got, we have performed. For the money we have been getting it is not bad at all, after all this kind of money is nothing."  Asked about China progress, the scientist said that,"We also have to take blame on ourselves, Indians we don't work hard, we are not like Chinese. We are easy going and we are not as much nationalists...If we get some-more money we are ready to go abroad."


  • Now, pSecularism starts in schools: The state Government issued an order directing district authorities to organise the study tour -- Karnataka Darshan - for students belonging to OBCs and minority community in government schools.   About 9,000 students, 300 from each district, would be selected for the tour."On what grounds students from other castes and communities have been left out?".


  • Homeowners who aimed their solar panels toward the west, instead of the south, generated 2% more electricity over the course of a day.

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