Challenges in S & T in contemporary India

Science and Technology (S&T) vision during Independent Struggle British Colonial S&T system was largely limited to meeting narrowly defined needs of the British rulers . Freedom fighters in favour of the creation of a national system of science and technology National planning committee set up through the efforts of Meghnad Saha and others in the Science and Culture Group in 1938. The national planning committee functioned under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru

Pre Independence period At the time of independence, a pre-capitalist system of traditional manufacturing for subsistence living was a major component in the mode of production. Cottage industries existed in large numbers, often utilizing family labour to a significant extent.

‘Self-reliance’ and ‘Development’. Development of the public sector in R&D and innovation. (Department of Atomic Energy, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, The Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and Indian Institutes of Technology were set up)-For Pictures. The Nehruvian notions of national development were implemented in a way that strengthened domestic capital led to capitalist development during the period of 1950-1980 in India. Scientific community in the mainstream system of S&T supported the social carriers of science, technology and development on the ground such as Bengal chemicals and All India Village Industries Association.

Diversity in Knowledge and Innovation Formulation of scientific policy resolution and evolve policy instruments for the development of science and technology For the production of capital goods, energy, metals and basic chemicals was to receive priority to reduce import dependence. This initial phase of accommodation of diversity in respect of knowledge production, knowledge mobilization and innovation. It helped the country to create a base for the development of industry, agriculture, education and other sectors

Diversity and Accommodation of Ideologies Wider participation and dialogue with those aligned to Gandhian, Nehruvian and Progressive/Left positions. Political directions for S&T reflected the desire to contribute to the establishment of India as a civilization based on the values of secularism and humanism. S&T to propagate values of equality, liberty and fraternity.

Gandhian Model A self-sufficient village economy, small is beautiful, redistribution Indian land ‘Bhoodan’, non-party system of democracy Decentralized industrial development Traditional & local knowledge Priority to individual small scale and cooperatives in all services Land owners & big business as trustees of wealth Individuals as small producers Protection of village industries

Nehruvian Establishment of large technical system Planning for capitalist development Public sector for Industrialization and capital goods industries to help small industries Import substitution and duplication Self reliance in strategic sectors Allowed Indian and foreign big business in Consumer goods

Left vision State Investments as anti imperialist step Asset Creation and Land distribution Heavy industries by Public sectors Consumer goods through small industries. Agro industries through cooperatives S&T to meet the basic needs of the people Decentralized plan for participatory local area development

Pre Globalization Period Promotion, modernization, development and protection of cottage industries-Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). Scaling up of KVIC, the micro, small and medium scale industries (MSMEs) The positive influence of the Nehruvian strategy can be seen in sectors like space, pharmaceuticals and automobiles. But in many sectors the strategy was reduced to mere import of products and capital goods in semi-knocked down conditions

Public Policies By the end of sixties measures like protection of small producers, promotion of public sector and restrictions on foreign direct investment, bank nationalization and many other such policy developments were an integral component of public policies. State ownership of basic industries received a high level of priority in the process of planning up to the mid-1980s. But this orientation was not adhered to after the eighties.

Globalization Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization in all spheres from 1990s onwards Under the control of IMF, WB and WTO From Education to Patent and from Agriculture to Heavy industries Self Reliant path converted to self dependent path FDI promotion from education to defence

PSM Demands Self Reliant path Developing our S&T for our needs first Higher investment for R&D Change the Pro big business and pro foreign capital stance Promote pro poor nitches like ASTRA in IISc and People’s Technology up gradation by PSMs