Focus on research and development to boost India’s growth prospects

Varun Gandhi in Let’s try a new experiment now (November 6) is right in saying that India should encourage the private sector to play a vital role in scientific research and innovation. This is an area that needs serious introspection. Countries like South Korea, China and Mexico have invested in R&D and are reaping its benefits. Right from the school level we should encourage students to take up research and simultaneously develop R&D facilities across the country. At present a majority of R&D facilities are run by the government. The private sector must also step in. This will boost India’s growth.

P SENTHIL SARAVANA DURAI, Mumbai