Let scientists lead institutions like HAL: Rao

Renowned space scientist Prof U R Rao, who is the Chairman of the Governing Council of city-based Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), today said important institutions like HAL should be led by scientists, and not IAS officers.
Rao also pitched for conferring the highest civilian award 'Bharat Ratna' on distinguished scientists Dr Vikram Sarabhai and Dr Homi Bhabha.
"I believe that important institutions and organisations which are now headed by IAS officers, should be handed over to scientists for better results," he said in his address during a function at PRL premises here.
"Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd at present is run by the officers of Indian Army and Air Force. I think HAL should be run by scientists who are into aeronautical research. HAL could not make a single aircraft after so many years, and we keep on talking about 'Make in India'," he said.

"Since we could not make planes here, we have to buy it from another country. One plane costs around Rs 400 crore, which is equivalent to the cost of our entire Mars Mission," the eminent scientist said.
Later during an interaction with media, Rao said, "People and politicians talk that we will make things here, but, can you even make a camera here? Then what kind of country is it? On the other side, we (ISRO, PRL) made a space camera which is launched 700 km away in the space. That is the example of Make in India."

Remembering India's two of the most respectable scientists Bhabha and Sarabhai, Rao said they should have been awarded the Bharat Ratna.

"There are two great scientists India had, Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai. We must recognise their contribution. They were visionaries. I think that we should have given them Bharat Ratna," he said.
During the function, Rao presented 'Hari OM Ashram Prerit Senior Scientist Award-2014' to Prof T V Ramakrishnan of Banaras Hindu University for his contribution in the field of science.
The Physical Research Laboratory here is a national research institute for space and allied sciences, supported mainly by Department of Space, Government of India.