Karnataka announces measures to get more serious on science

Programmes to promote science education have been formulated

Two days after Bharat Ratna C N R Rao lamented that there is not enough support for science education in India, the Karnataka government has come forward and said that they will implement a series of measures to address this lacuna. The Vision Group of Science & Technology, which was set up in 2008, for the year 2013-14 has formulated 12 programmes to promote science education and research in colleges and universities across the state.

Karnataka's Minister for IT, BT, Science and Technology S R Patil on Tuesday strongly supported the view expressed by senior scientist C N R Rao that science and research activities were getting scanty funding. Patil, who called on Rao at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific Research (at Jakkur Campus) on Tuesday to felicitate Rao on being conferred with the Bharat Ratna, said the state of Karnataka would like to honour Rao in a true sense. "We encourage science and research activities in a big way. Certainly, there will be a significant increase in the allocation of funds for science and research activities in the coming years," Patil said.

"We continue to seek your guidance in taking the science and technology sector of the State to next level. We will simply implement whatever measures you suggest," he added. Appreciating the minister's gesture, Rao said his grouse was not against the Government of Karnataka.

There had been considerable encouragement for science activities in Karnataka, which has already been emerged as hub of R&D (research and development) activities. He had also assurance from the Union Ministers including Jaipal Reddy that the field would have more allocations in the coming days.