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STATUS OF SCIENCE IN INDIA The major points of the case for more funds for science may be summed up as: 1. Basic science is important for the long-term future of the nation. There is need for support at least in the frontier areas. 2. The budget for science in India is less than in other countries on GNP ratio basis and is now dropping. This needs to be increased. 3. The research costs in India are less than in other countries – the wages of scientists are less. All the points mentioned above are true and valid. But there are some other points not considered by many scientists. There are certain other requirements to be fulfilled before science can benefit the nation. Without these, science cannot deliver the goods. These are a skilled labour force, an industrial infrastructure and a society that is at peace. The support for science till now came from the enlightened Nehru family, who had a unique combination of the best of the East and the West. That era is now over. What will be the basis on which we should “sell” the need for more basic science? The society at large does not understand sciences; it < Rural Development Through Education System 214
