India has a long way to go in some sectors: Infy founder Narayana Murthy

Sanjay R Murty | NT
Bengaluru:

Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy, on Thursday, said that the ‘grand problems’ of India cannot be solved by science, mathematics, and engineering alone and that they require a cultural transformation of the Indian mindset.

He made a virtual address at the inauguration event of the Infosys Science Foundation’s new office building in Bengaluru. “Engineering is about using such scientific ideas to create a world that has never existed,” he said. Narayana was unable to participate physically owing to an ear injury.

“ISF has just entered its teens. I hope that this building will be a citadel of openness to new ideas, critical thinking, and a healthy skepticism for our young minds,” he said as he elaborated on the purpose of science and its application in solving the problems of the world.

Highlighting the importance of curiosity and inquiry, he said that Einstein’s work on the General Theory of Relativity started off with his observation of how Mercury’s orbit did not fit Newton’s theory of motion. Murthy said that while India is making progress in science and technology, it is still a long way off from solving the problems of nutrition, healthcare, education, and shelter for all.

The new building, located near Jayanagar’s South End Circle will serve as the office of the foundation, which has been functioning for over 12 years now. The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) has been presenting the annual Infosys Prize to scientists and scholars with extraordinary contributions in the fields of Engineering and Computer Science, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

R&D spending as a share of India should go up:Gopalakrishnan

“We need to invest more money in research. Research spending should hit 3% of (India’s) GDP from 0.7% currently. Of this private contribution should jump at least 1.5% from 0.1% at present. Bengaluru can play a major role in making this happen,” said Kris Gopalakrishnan, who is also the president of Infosys Science Foundation.

He spoke about Bengaluru’s unique advantage of being home to institutions of scientific research, liberal arts, information technology, start-up ecosystem and the R&D labs of Indian and global multinational firms. “I don’t think such a congregation of science, engineering, arts and research can be found. We are not really taking advantage of this,” he added.

Gopalakrishnan said that the new centre would be a collaborative physical space in the city along the lines of the Bangalore International Centre, the Ranga Shankara and others.

Young scientists speak about challenges

Four women scientists and innovators at different stages of research were invited to speak about their aspirations and challenges with research in India. Vinisha Umashankar, a 15-year-old innovator from Tiruvannamalai, devised a solarpowered ironing cart, which she presented at Glasgow’s COP26 summit last year. She spoke about the need to employ innovation in tackling climate change.

Arathi Parameswaran is a Physics graduate who is about to start her master’s abroad. She highlighted the skewed demographics in research fields, including the under-representation of women. She also talked about the access to higher education in India impeded by elaborate procedures like entrance exams.

Girija R, a PhD Scholar at IISc’s Divecha Centre for Climate Change, works on water and sanitation. She also discussed issues such as the lack of access to toilets for women during fieldwork and the need for long-term commitment to research as a hurdle for women.

Archini Paruthi – a scientist at IISc’s Centre for Nanoscience and Engineering, works on nanostructures and their integration into the human body, with a focus on Renal and cardiac applications. She raised some technical challenges with respect to obtaining ethical clearances and coordinating with regulatory bodies during research. Paruthi aspires for an independent research ecosystem and evaluation of work based on its social impact.

'We do not have cultural conversation about science or engineering'

A panel discussion titled ‘Enabling Arts and Sciences Through Public Spaces’ was held after the inaugural event of the Infosys Science Foundation’s new office space. The panel consisted of the Executive Director of the India Foundation for the Arts, Arundhati Ghosh, Honorary Director of Bangalore International Centre V Ravichandar and Jahnavi Phalkey, Founding Director of the Science Gallery Bengaluru.

Jahnavi Phalkey said, “We have a very strong professional conversation around science in India. We