Are market forces predominantly driving science today? Should it be so or shouldn it?
Going by the present-day world order, science and technology is partly market-driven. However, there cannot be a market-driven technology without a foundation of good science. So, we have to have a balance this is the challenge for people who manage S&T institutions. Fundamental research has to spearhead our activity. However, we should explore that space between basic and applied. That has to be the guiding principle of science. Apart from the Tatas, there are few other corporate houses supporting pure sciences. Is there a need for an increase in such ventures? Do you also see a need for FDI in higher education and research, or are there dangers of tying up with MNCs? Firstly, there is a need to have more business houses and corporate entities promoting not only their own R&D, but creation and support for first-rate academic institutions. You know the support trusts and foundations provide for research the world over. Their budget for a project sometimes exceeds our budget for basic r