BANGALORE/NEW DELHI: In an apparent damage control after his angry outbursts targeting politicians, Bharat Ratna awardee Prof CNR Rao on Monday said he was only signalling that "inadequate" funding of science in the country was an "idiotic" situation.
The 79-yar-old eminent scientist suggested that he never called politicians 'idiots', seeking to clarify his outburst yesterday that raised eyebrows, just a day after the government named him for the country' highest civilian award, along with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.
Rao's assertions came even as Union science and technology minister Jaipal Reddy said he agreed with Rao's views that sufficient funds are not being earmarked for scientific research in the country.
"Our investment is not good that is a bit idiotic... that's all I said... not in anger...I'm not an angry man.... I wanted something. Unfortunately, they don't understand the priority. That is what I said," Rao told reporters in Bangalore, as he sought to explain his outburst.
"It is not an anger you know. I didn't call somebody an idiot. These are two different things. Unfortunately, use of language has been .... I should not use, I will never use that word again because I didn't realize people will take it as somebody being called as idiot. I didn't call anyone idiot."
Venting the dissatisfaction in the scientific community over "inadequate" funding, the chairman of Prime Minister's scientific advisory council had said "....Why the hell these idiots these politicians have given so little for us...for the money that government has given to science sector, we have done much more."
The science sector gets only 20 to 30% of the amount asked from government for its research work, he said.
"First of all, they should understand the relative importance of science, they should understand to invest in proportion to our requirement so that India shines...for that we have to understand what is required. It is not being understood and that is bit of an idiotic situation that is what I meant."
Stating that the word is used in British Parliament, Rao said, "Prime Minister is doing idiotic things -- they will say, nobody will be upset by that. I don't know why you are upset here."
In Reddy's view, Rao is right on the issue of funds. "...He (Rao) is right because I do not disagree with him. Because the importance of science and technology is so high that any amount government allots is not adequate," Reddy told reporters in Delhi.
Jaipal Reddy agrees with Rao's views on funding
A day after the angry outburst from Bharat Ratna awardee scientist CNR Rao, science and technology minister Jaipal Reddy said he agreed with Rao's views that sufficient funds are not being earmarked for scientific research in the country.
"...He (Rao) is right because I do not disagree with him. Because the importance of science and technology is so high that any amount government allots is not adequate," Reddy said here.
Addressing a press conference after the award was announced, Rao had yesterday said "....For the money that government has given to scientific sector, we have done much more.... Why the hell these idiots these politicians have given so little for us. In spite of that we scientists have done something."
Rao's comments drew reactions from many quarters over the funding priority of the government.
Congratulating Rao for the award, Reddy said, "Government has always focused on science and technology. He has been the guide for the Indian science establishment for the last 10 years.
"His views are respected we have been able to spare as much money as possible keeping the financial stringency in view."
However, Reddy declined to comment on Rao's "idiots" remark saying "one does not want to comment to all issues."
Former Isro chairman G Madhavan Nair said funds which were reaching for actual research were low.
"But I will not blame entirely on the government or politicians. Because I have seen the scenario for the last decade or so...the government very flatly announces substantial increase in the funding to the science department," he said.
TMC MP Derek O'brien said, "He (Rao) is an honourable gentleman and recipient of Bharat Ratna. So we shall refrain from making any comment what he said. But obviously after he won the Bharat Ratna, he is entitled to his opinion and we must listen and respect his opinion."
-TOI
Bharat Ratna awardee and eminent scientist CNR Rao on Sunday called polticians “idiots” for giving scientists “so little”.
He was referring to the “inadequate” government funding to the scientific community.
Addressing a press conference a day after the award was announced, Rao, who is the chairman of the prime minister’s scientific advisory council, stressed the need for providing more resources for research.
“Why the hell have these idiots (politicians) given so little to us despite what we have done. For the money that the government has given us we have done much more,” he said.
Rao was unhappy with the progress India has made when compared to China saying Indians are complacent. “Indian researchers need to work harder; we don’t work as hard as the Chinese.
Starting next year, China will top the world with 16.5% of world research publications, overtaking even the US. The quantity of publication of research papers from India have remained at 2-3%,” he said.
“India is the worst. China is doing exascale and petascale computing. I am fighting with the government to invest money in computing,” he said.
Rao was also unhappy over the focus given to the IT sector in Karnataka. “The state is not doing well as our people are unfortunately going behind the money in IT sector. The IT sector has a whole bunch of unhappy people working in it,” he said.
When asked for his comments on the state government’s proposed anti-superstition law, Rao said superstitious people could not be godly.
-DNA
A day after an outburst against politicians for the "inadequate" funding for science, Bharat Ratna awardee C N R Rao today repeated what he had said yesterday, but tried to clarify his intention behind the outburst.
"Our investment is not good, that is a bit idiotic. That's all I said. Not in anger. I'm not an angry man. I wanted something. Unfortunately, they don't understand the priority. That is what I said," Rao told reporters while explaining yesterday's outburst just a day after being conferred the Bharat Ratna.
"Why the hell these idiots, these politicians have given so little for us. In spite of that, we scientists have done something," he had said yesterday during an outpouring of anger on the inadequate funding for scientific studies. "For the money that the government has given to the scientific sector, we have done much more," Rao, who is Chairman of Prime Minister's Scientific Advisory Council, said when asked about the fall in standards of scientific research in India.
Rao tried to make amends for yesterday's outburst. "First of all, they should understand the relative importance of science, they should understand to invest in proportion to our requirements so that India shines. For that we have to understand what is required. It is not being understood and that is bit of an idiotic situation. That is what I meant," he tried to explain himself.
"It is not an anger you know. I didn't call somebody an idiot. These are two different things. Unfortunately, use of language has been. I should not use, I will never use that word again because I didn't realise people will take it as somebody being called as idiot. I didn't call anyone idiot," he added.
On if the government has to do more for science, he said: "They are doing it, they have to do more. It was not a problem at all 20 years ago that is what I'm trying to tell. Now that South Korea has beaten Japan -- where do we come from, where are our people going to be employed, where will they get the money for feeding the people even?"
India has to earn that money. For that the country's industry has to do well, our technology has to do well; competition is there. That is why we need more investment, Rao said.
The 79-yar-old eminent scientist suggested that he never called politicians 'idiots', seeking to clarify his outburst yesterday that raised eyebrows, just a day after the government named him for the country' highest civilian award, along with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.
Rao's assertions came even as Union science and technology minister Jaipal Reddy said he agreed with Rao's views that sufficient funds are not being earmarked for scientific research in the country.
"Our investment is not good that is a bit idiotic... that's all I said... not in anger...I'm not an angry man.... I wanted something. Unfortunately, they don't understand the priority. That is what I said," Rao told reporters in Bangalore, as he sought to explain his outburst.
"It is not an anger you know. I didn't call somebody an idiot. These are two different things. Unfortunately, use of language has been .... I should not use, I will never use that word again because I didn't realize people will take it as somebody being called as idiot. I didn't call anyone idiot."
Venting the dissatisfaction in the scientific community over "inadequate" funding, the chairman of Prime Minister's scientific advisory council had said "....Why the hell these idiots these politicians have given so little for us...for the money that government has given to science sector, we have done much more."
The science sector gets only 20 to 30% of the amount asked from government for its research work, he said.
"First of all, they should understand the relative importance of science, they should understand to invest in proportion to our requirement so that India shines...for that we have to understand what is required. It is not being understood and that is bit of an idiotic situation that is what I meant."
Stating that the word is used in British Parliament, Rao said, "Prime Minister is doing idiotic things -- they will say, nobody will be upset by that. I don't know why you are upset here."
In Reddy's view, Rao is right on the issue of funds. "...He (Rao) is right because I do not disagree with him. Because the importance of science and technology is so high that any amount government allots is not adequate," Reddy told reporters in Delhi.
Jaipal Reddy agrees with Rao's views on funding
A day after the angry outburst from Bharat Ratna awardee scientist CNR Rao, science and technology minister Jaipal Reddy said he agreed with Rao's views that sufficient funds are not being earmarked for scientific research in the country.
"...He (Rao) is right because I do not disagree with him. Because the importance of science and technology is so high that any amount government allots is not adequate," Reddy said here.
Addressing a press conference after the award was announced, Rao had yesterday said "....For the money that government has given to scientific sector, we have done much more.... Why the hell these idiots these politicians have given so little for us. In spite of that we scientists have done something."
Rao's comments drew reactions from many quarters over the funding priority of the government.
Congratulating Rao for the award, Reddy said, "Government has always focused on science and technology. He has been the guide for the Indian science establishment for the last 10 years.
"His views are respected we have been able to spare as much money as possible keeping the financial stringency in view."
However, Reddy declined to comment on Rao's "idiots" remark saying "one does not want to comment to all issues."
Former Isro chairman G Madhavan Nair said funds which were reaching for actual research were low.
"But I will not blame entirely on the government or politicians. Because I have seen the scenario for the last decade or so...the government very flatly announces substantial increase in the funding to the science department," he said.
TMC MP Derek O'brien said, "He (Rao) is an honourable gentleman and recipient of Bharat Ratna. So we shall refrain from making any comment what he said. But obviously after he won the Bharat Ratna, he is entitled to his opinion and we must listen and respect his opinion."
-TOI
Bharat Ratna awardee and eminent scientist CNR Rao on Sunday called polticians “idiots” for giving scientists “so little”.
He was referring to the “inadequate” government funding to the scientific community.
Addressing a press conference a day after the award was announced, Rao, who is the chairman of the prime minister’s scientific advisory council, stressed the need for providing more resources for research.
“Why the hell have these idiots (politicians) given so little to us despite what we have done. For the money that the government has given us we have done much more,” he said.
Rao was unhappy with the progress India has made when compared to China saying Indians are complacent. “Indian researchers need to work harder; we don’t work as hard as the Chinese.
Starting next year, China will top the world with 16.5% of world research publications, overtaking even the US. The quantity of publication of research papers from India have remained at 2-3%,” he said.
“India is the worst. China is doing exascale and petascale computing. I am fighting with the government to invest money in computing,” he said.
Rao was also unhappy over the focus given to the IT sector in Karnataka. “The state is not doing well as our people are unfortunately going behind the money in IT sector. The IT sector has a whole bunch of unhappy people working in it,” he said.
When asked for his comments on the state government’s proposed anti-superstition law, Rao said superstitious people could not be godly.
-DNA
A day after an outburst against politicians for the "inadequate" funding for science, Bharat Ratna awardee C N R Rao today repeated what he had said yesterday, but tried to clarify his intention behind the outburst.
"Our investment is not good, that is a bit idiotic. That's all I said. Not in anger. I'm not an angry man. I wanted something. Unfortunately, they don't understand the priority. That is what I said," Rao told reporters while explaining yesterday's outburst just a day after being conferred the Bharat Ratna.
"Why the hell these idiots, these politicians have given so little for us. In spite of that, we scientists have done something," he had said yesterday during an outpouring of anger on the inadequate funding for scientific studies. "For the money that the government has given to the scientific sector, we have done much more," Rao, who is Chairman of Prime Minister's Scientific Advisory Council, said when asked about the fall in standards of scientific research in India.
Rao tried to make amends for yesterday's outburst. "First of all, they should understand the relative importance of science, they should understand to invest in proportion to our requirements so that India shines. For that we have to understand what is required. It is not being understood and that is bit of an idiotic situation. That is what I meant," he tried to explain himself.
"It is not an anger you know. I didn't call somebody an idiot. These are two different things. Unfortunately, use of language has been. I should not use, I will never use that word again because I didn't realise people will take it as somebody being called as idiot. I didn't call anyone idiot," he added.
On if the government has to do more for science, he said: "They are doing it, they have to do more. It was not a problem at all 20 years ago that is what I'm trying to tell. Now that South Korea has beaten Japan -- where do we come from, where are our people going to be employed, where will they get the money for feeding the people even?"
India has to earn that money. For that the country's industry has to do well, our technology has to do well; competition is there. That is why we need more investment, Rao said.
Science Minister say he agrees with CNR Rao's views on funding
A day after the angry outburst from Bharat Ratna awardee scientist CNR
Rao, Science and Technology Minister Jaipal Reddy today said he agreed
with Rao's views that sufficient funds are not being earmarked for
scientific research in the country.
"...He (Rao) is right because I do not disagree with him. Because the importance of science and technology is so high that any amount government allots is not adequate," Reddy said here.
Addressing a press conference after the award was announced, Rao had yesterday said "....For the money that government has given to scientific sector, we have done much more.... Why the hell these idiots these politicians have given so little for us. In spite of that we scientists have done something."
Rao's comments drew reactions from many quarters over the funding priority of the government.
Congratulating Rao for the award, Reddy said, "Government has always focused on science and technology. He has been the guide for the Indian science establishment for the last 10 years.
"His views are respected we have been able to spare as much money as possible keeping the financial stringency in view."
However, Reddy declined to comment on Rao's "idiots" remark saying "one does not want to comment to all issues." Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said funds which were reaching for actual research were low.
"But I will not blame entirely on the government or politicians. Because I have seen the scenario for the last decade or so...the government very flatly announces substantial increase in the funding to the science department," he said. TMC MP Derek O'brien said, "He (Rao) is an honourable gentleman and recipient of Bharat Ratna. So we shall refrain from making any comment what he said. But obviously after he won the Bharat Ratna, he is entitled to his opinion and we must listen and respect his opinion."
-DNA
"...He (Rao) is right because I do not disagree with him. Because the importance of science and technology is so high that any amount government allots is not adequate," Reddy said here.
Addressing a press conference after the award was announced, Rao had yesterday said "....For the money that government has given to scientific sector, we have done much more.... Why the hell these idiots these politicians have given so little for us. In spite of that we scientists have done something."
Rao's comments drew reactions from many quarters over the funding priority of the government.
Congratulating Rao for the award, Reddy said, "Government has always focused on science and technology. He has been the guide for the Indian science establishment for the last 10 years.
"His views are respected we have been able to spare as much money as possible keeping the financial stringency in view."
However, Reddy declined to comment on Rao's "idiots" remark saying "one does not want to comment to all issues." Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said funds which were reaching for actual research were low.
"But I will not blame entirely on the government or politicians. Because I have seen the scenario for the last decade or so...the government very flatly announces substantial increase in the funding to the science department," he said. TMC MP Derek O'brien said, "He (Rao) is an honourable gentleman and recipient of Bharat Ratna. So we shall refrain from making any comment what he said. But obviously after he won the Bharat Ratna, he is entitled to his opinion and we must listen and respect his opinion."
-DNA
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