We are doing everything to promote mediocrity

He sent in his resignation three times as Director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) when he found that the promised funds were cut and his hopes of building a world-class scientific institution came under serious threat.

He also prepared to resign from fellowships of prestigious scientific academies when he felt that there was a veering away from avowed goals and policies. Each time, however, the authorities persuaded him to change his mind and remain at the helm.

While there was never any doubt about his capability and eminence as a world renowned scientist or his commitment to building an institution of excellence, Dr PM Bhargava had to wage a continuous struggle to ensure that CCMB is the hallowed institution that it is today.

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Even if our country were to produce one promising Nobel-winning candidate, his chances would be greatly marred by fellow countrymen, who would do everything to suppress him. Only those working outside the country would stand any chance to compete as we have seen from past experience- Dr PM Bhargava

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Decades later the 89-year-old Dr Bhargava, who has worked and travelled extensively in several countries across the world and has more than 125 research papers to his credit rues the lack of Scientific temper in our country. He is unequivocal in his criticism of government policies that have stifled the spirit of enquiry and crushed freedom of expression.

“We are doing everything to promote mediocrity as an official objective. If we still have world-class academicians and scientists in our country today, it is through sheer brilliance and despite the system.

Even if our country were to produce one promising Nobel-winning candidate, his chances would be greatly marred by fellow countrymen, who would do everything to suppress him.

Only those working outside the country would stand any chance to compete as we have seen from past experience,” he laments.

Views on the Indian Science Congress Dr Bhargava supports voices of dissent that have been growing stronger during the last couple of years with many calling these events less of an exercise in serious science and more an event dedicated to glorifying our ancient past.

A Nobel laureate of Indian origin Venkataraman Ramakrishnan had called these annual sessions a ‘circus’ at the Mysuru session last year, a comment that Dr Bhargava quite approves.

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I am surprised that a Chief Minister of the stature of Chandrababu Naidu, who in the past interacted with Nobel Laureate Paul Berg in Hyderabad and showed progressive thinking, makes a remark like this. You cannot purchase or order a Nobel laureate, a great painter, writer or any creative person for that matter. One has to create infrastructure and conditions conducive for research and monetary announcements are not in good taste - Dr PM Bhargava

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“I have attended over 40 sessions of the Indian Science Congress since 1948 and have found a steady deterioration in the quality of the discussions since the 70’s.

I feel it is time these conferences costing anywhere between 12 to 15 crore are scrapped. The Science Congress has no science. It cannot be called a ‘Science mela’ either as even a mela has a clear purpose,” he adds.

Science can only thrive when one has the right to question, explain and reason without objectivity being hindered and this is impossible in the system as it exists in our country according to him.

You cannot order Nobel Laureates
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s announcement of Rs 100 crore as a reward to any person who does research in India and wins a Nobel Prize is an ill-advised one and exposes a lack of understanding of the scientific fraternity according to Dr Bhargava.

“I am surprised that a Chief Minister of the stature of Chandrababu Naidu, who in the past interacted with Nobel Laureate Paul Berg in Hyderabad and showed progressive thinking, makes a remark like this.

You cannot purchase or order a Nobel laureate, a great painter, writer or any creative person for that matter. One has to create infrastructure and conditions conducive for research and monetary announcements are not in good taste,” he says.

Award for Podile
Standing by his opinion that the present government is dictatorial and does not brook dissent Dr Bharagava states that the award presented to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, Dr Appa Rao Podile only confirms this view.

“The message is quite clear here. We know now that it pays to deny and defy the values that are guaranteed to us by the constitution. This award is merely a confirmation,” he laments.

Commercialisation of Education
Around 90 per cent of the graduates in our country are unemployable as their standard of education is appallingly low says Dr Bhargava contrasting the situation with the conditions in the United States of America.

“While there are 30-40 universities out of the 3,000 universities in America that are top class, the average standard of education in the remaining universities is much higher than that of India, which has about 20 top universities and very poor quality education in the rest,” he points out. In this grim scenario to compete at the world level is indeed a herculean task.

Commercialisation of education has ruined standards and degrees are being purchased with detrimental results for the country says, Dr Bhargava.

He moots the proposal of banning commercial education both at the school and college level and ushering in a common education system for all. Unfortunately, several recommendations made by Prof. Yashpal in this regard are gathering dust with governments disinclined to implement them.

Fighting for objectives
Dr Bhargava has been associated with several social causes for which he devotes a lot of time and attention to this day. He even addressed a session organised by the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on the issue of banning harmful genetically modified foods.

“If the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) were to organise a seminar or lecture on ‘What Ails Science’ I would be glad to participate although I am not a right leaning person,” says Dr Bhargava to reiterate his point that objectives are important to him irrespective of party affiliations.

Values are essential
Adherence to values, scientific temperament, clear objectives and creative freedom are qualities that define his working style. Trust and love are lasting values that have enriched his life and made difficult goals attainable. As he treads the road less travelled Dr Bhargava has the courage of conviction for company.