INDIA NEEDS MORE SCIENTISTS, SAYS VICE-PRESIDENT

BY P.VIJIAN

NEW DELHI, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- India, one of the fastest growing economies
in the world, is in need of more scientists and researchers.

India's vice-president Hamid Ansari said science and technology was an
important instrument of the modern state but there were insufficient researchers
in the field of science.

"It has to be admitted that our scientific output today in terms of
researchers in basic sciences is insufficient for our requirements.

"This has a direct impact on our contribution to innovations and patents. It
compares unfavourably with our peers and competitors on the world stage. One
reason for this is our lack of focus on the priority that should be accorded to
the pursuit of science," Ansari said at the 17th National Children Science
Congress, held in Gujarat.

He said the growing biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nuclear energy, space and
defence related industries had created a huge demand for science graduates in
the country.

"Many students in urban and metropolitan areas, I hear, are dropping out of
the formal education set-up after secondary schooling to pursue jobs in call
centres and other service industries. If true, this is a trend that must be
arrested and reversed," said Ansari.

The supply of high quality scientific and technological manpower was a
fundamental requirement for any modern nation to avail of the opportunities of
the scientific and technological age, he pointed out.

Ansari said more private-sector investments and incentives ought to be given
to young students to encourage them to pursue a career in science.

-- BERNAMA