Bengaluru: Noted scientist and Bharat Ratna awardee Prof C.N.R. Rao has observed that though China was annually producing more than double the number of science PhDs than India, in terms of quality Indian PhDs fare better.
Delivering the graduation day speech at Bishop Cotton school here on Saturday, Rao said every year more than 22,000 science PhDs are produced in China, compared with 8,000 in India. But quality-wise Indian researchers were superior.
"But young scientists of this country have mammoth challenge in front of them. In next 20 years they need to make India one of the top three countries in the world in science research. Water scarcity and pollution pose great challenge to the mankind and young researchers should try to find solution for this problem," he said.
"I have confidence in today's youths. They must take up the research works in the science subjects. They need to find solutions to the various health and other challenges," he said.
Rao spoke in length about the importance of engaging in the research works. "It is not the formal education but the interest in the subjects which will lead to major inventions," he said.
Emphasising the importance of carrying forward the research legacy of the country, Rao observed that today's youth have bright opportunities in all the fields, including science research. "India is the hub of vast opportunities. The youth can enter into any sector and utilise them," he said.
School education
Taking a dig at the present education system, Rao said, "Earlier there were no good schools. But even bad schools had good teachers, who were inspiring the students. But today we have good school infrastructure, but the quality of teaching fraternity has come down."
"I also wanted to study in the Bishop Cotton school when I was a student. But I did not get an opportunity. This fact still hurts me," he remarked.
