There are some wacky stories about why there's no Nobel in mathematics.
But why is there no Infosys Prize in Chemical Sciences?
Could it be because of all those tirades against India's infotech industry by this icon of Indian science?
Inquiring minds always want to know ... ;-)
13 Comments:
I am not a scientist, but I think at advanced levels, physics and chemistry converges. So one award for physical sciences in enough. But I think, both Nobel and infosys need to do more for social sciences. Infosys has clubbed together economics, social sciences and history and in nobel, social scientists have to aim for economics prize.
Prof. C. N. R. Rao is spot-on in his condemnation of the IT sector, as usual. IT jobs are largely the last refuge of a nation of middle-class people that have no interest in nation-building. (TheOnion's tag line for India: "Please hold while we die of Malaria".) But just wait for the shrill protests from the India-shining types.
But Abi was tactless in attacking Infy for not giving awards to Indian engineers. The story is better unfolded like so: Say I (anonymous coward hacker in the IT sector in Hyderabad) instate a prize for theoretical physics, and don't give it to my classfriend now in TIFR, but declare that David Gross is the winner. Given my physics credentials end at class 12, you won't care a rat's ass, would you? Similar is the case of Infy. It's not that Indian scientist are neglected geniuses, but that Infy is an insufferable arrogant prick of a company.
Another Info-rmative story! Well done, Abi!!
Nobel:Dyanmite::Infosys:Boilerplate
This is what I have learnt over the last few weeks here!
CNRR should retire.Soon.
Otherwise he will turn into an Arundhati Roy. Without her looks. And old. And Cantankerous.
The "about" Section (http://www.infosys-science-foundation.com/about_prize.html) has prize categories and
says about Physical Sciences
"Physical Sciences - Physics, Chemistry and Earth Science"
CNR is frothing about this prize for reasons best known to him and which others can guess. Solving why a great and well- respected and honoured scientist should be so cantankerous could well get one the next prize!
Most of the prizes are associated with controversies. Dont expect awards or go to award ceremoney like Aamir Khan (except Oscars!!!).
So this is what is important. Chemical sciences prize. Bhopal is not important for blogosphere. Not one note from the hoi-polloi of blogs as to how Dow is skirting the issue, how chemicals are still polluting Bhopal and what research has found there. And if there is any significant research on the deaths in the worst industrial disaster of mankind.
@Pom Don't you see the title of this blog? Nanopolitan - deals with really petty (nano) politics ;-)
1. This criticism from Pom is bizarre. Of course Bhopal is important. Just because a blog doesn't write about it doesn't make it less important.
2. Criticism of IT from CNRR seems atavistic. When he is cheer-leading for basic sciences ahead of the commercial use of "lesser sciences", he seems to subscribe to a thought of a bygone era. The thought that a nation first develops science and then develops itself with the use of science. We have come to recognize this thinking as putting the cart before the horse and as being infeasible to sustain. Commerce has now been accepted to be the way for generation of wealth which can then be invested in science to create further wealth. In this respect, the IT industry plays a huge role.
Most of the world's scientific discoveries, and for that matter most of mankind's attempt at being creative in a systematic manner (development of Indian classical music, for eg) have only been possible under the protection and patronage of a wealthy society.
Ankur,
So where is the writing on Indian blogs on Bhopal? And why is this discussion on CNRR important? The point is obviously lost on you, isn't it?
See:
http://vinaylal.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/the-untamed-monster-corporate-greed-and-the-continuing-tragedy-of-bhopal/
I don't know what point you were trying to make which you say was lost on me. I am opposing your notion that Abi (or any other blogger) be held culpable for not deeming Bhopal gas tragedy as important on the evidence that his blog did not mention it.
People say (Maththuvas) that Prof.CNR Rao, published 6000 research papers in a year. is it true. Why could he get a noble prize ? Now attended his nano lectures etc etc., but could any of his innovations give birth any technology to Indian industries. Prof.CNRR is guide and philospher to Indian Science bureaucracyy and polity. Oh.. whowill save Indian science. CNRR's student students, sycophants get coveted top positions in R&D institutions, they make all techs as their colonial slaves. scienc in india for another 30 yesrs......?!
See Ankur what I mean? Read the post after yours. This is the state. US has not fogotten 9-11. We have calmly forgotten Bhopal. People like Shiva are important to discuss. People like CNR rao are important. Issues like Bhopal are not. People will have hours to decipher stories in nature and nature india. None for Bhopal. That is what is sad about Indian scientists. It is not the issues of national importance that are the focus, it is the people and their race to get ahead in the glory game.
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