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analyse, diagnose, think of alternatives and select the best idea to meet the required situation. Relatively less effort goes into this kind of problem solving. Both methods are valid, proven tools and are complementary. The over dependence on one however, will impede progress. My belief is that at present, we mostly look for "problems” to fit known solutions, but not the other way around. Primarily, this is because the "problem" awareness in the scientific community is biased by poor information flow from our rural segment. Therefore, published scientific information from (mostly western) journals becomes the major inspiration for selection of new projects for investigation. We have to select, on some basis, problems to be tackled, as we have finite, limited resources. This is therefore a crucial decision. What are the scientists' expectations? I believe that every scientist hopes for recognition and appreciation by his peers. Recognition comes from success in a challenging situation. If the work is trivial, success is not valued. If it is too difficult, success is elusive. A breakthrough is what makes the scientific work respectable. I am suggesting the following guidelines for selecting projects, which, ! believe, will meet the aspirations of the scientist and the needs of the society. 1. We should be able to utilise our strength - viz. technical skill. There must be a challenge. The exercise must sharpen our skill and we must thus “grow" by solving or even attempting to solve that problem. 2. If solved, the programme should experience exponential growth. All successful products or technologies show a sigma type growth curve. If our solution depends on charity or subsidy, the growth will be, at best, linear. Rural Development Through Education System 194
