India needs to invest in basic science: Nobel laureates

PHAGWARA: Nobel laureates, who were speakers at the Indian Science Congress, couldn’t agree more with PM Narendra Modi when he said the country needs to focus on research.

However, the vision for research in India of the Prime Minister and that of the Nobel laureates was quite different.

“Our scientists must commit themselves to addressing problems of affordable healthcare, housing, clean air, water and energy, agricultural productivity and food processing. While science is universal, technology must be local for providing solutions relevant to local needs and conditions,” said Modi.

While his focus is on using science for technological innovations, Professor Thomas Sudoph, a German American biochemist who worked with the Stanford University, California, and Professor Avram Hershko, a Hungarian-born Israeli biochemist who worked with Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, agree that the government needs to spend on basic research.

Prof Hershko, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2004, said: “The government has funds and resources for basic research. The corporates would not give money for such research, so it is the responsibility of the society. I think that you cannot translate a research before giving enough time to the basic research, try to translate too early and you would not be able to translate anything.”

Prof Sudoph, who won the 2013 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, said: “I understand the temptation of just moving to technology...but basic research is necessary to lead the way,” he said.

“The space organisation here is doing great work, but it is something that has happened in the US and the USSR. No doubt the missions are necessary for India, but the science is already out there,” said Prof Sudoph.