Letters: Donate generously

This refers to the editorial, "Low on innovation" (July 23) and Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy's comment that there has been no earth-shaking invention from India in the last 60 years. It is time for a debate on corporate responsibility towards research and development initiatives.

Murthy spoke about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and its contribution to innovation. As a former student of MIT, let me state that it receives massive grants from industrialists and successful alumni alike for research and development of cutting-edge technologies.

Alfred P Sloan, who studied mechanical engineering at MIT and later became the pioneer of General Motors, donated his entire savings and assets to the institute for establishing the Alfred P Sloan Foundation. The management school of MIT is called the MIT Sloan School of Management. Research scholars are paid generously, besides being allowed to use equipment for longer periods. There are dedicated professors and students engaged in fundamental and applied research. Can Murthy, with a successful son not in need of parental bequest, donate his entire money to the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru? Innovation needs dedicated, well-paid students, who should not have to worry about where to land their next job.

Sudarsanam Padam, Hyderabad

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