Building India through science and scientists

As India sets its sights on becoming a developed country by the 100th anniversary of Independence in 2047, concrete goals are being defined for various sectors.

- Soumya Swaminathan

Science will play a pivotal role in attaining this vision of reaping the demographic dividend, eliminating the gender divide, enabling longer and healthier life spans, ensuring economic security and equitable progress, effectively and inclusively adapting to the climate crisis and increasing India's contributions to the world.

Indian science must evolve from isolated islands of excellence in a few academic institutions to widespread adoption of the latest technologies and scientific methods to solve societal challenges.

This will require broad-based investments in science (from primary education onwards), incentives and rewards for impactful research (different from purely academic achievements), partnerships (with NGOs and the private sector), and increased participation of under-represented sections of society, particularly women.

Continuously and significantly expanding investments in science are paramount for achieving India's vision.

Traditionally, investments in basic science necessarily come from government action on policy, implementation, and financing.

These aspects are often determined by the political discourse, which, in turn, is shaped by people's trust in, and perceptions of, science and scientists to tackle important challenges.

During and after the Covid pandemic, people's trust in scientists grew.

Given the prevalent infodemic of fake news and half-baked knowledge that pervades social media, it is even more important to inculcate a scientific temper in our young minds.

Investments in evidence-informed solutions will sustainably increase when opinion in social discourse starts matching scientific opinion on pertinent issues.

Mis- and disinformation, and their amplification in social media, are relatively new challenges.

But these can become an obstacle to progress, if not effectively handled.