“Few practising scientists of note consider the [Indian Science] Congress an important event. Pomp and ceremony take precedence over substance,” P. Balaram, former Director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, wrote in a December 10, 2012, editorial in the journal Current Science.

The inclusion of a section on “Ancient sciences through Sanskrit” at this year’s Congress in Mumbai that had papers presented by non-experts reveals the diminishing quality of the annual national science event.

The science congress was started in 1914 with the best of intentions. The idea of promoting science through the congress began in earnest after Independence, continuing till 1967, but the efforts have since lost focus...........Read more

Source web page: The Hindu