Who is The Killer of Science?

Science and Religion – one depends on the proof and the other on faith. Science is entertaining. It opens up the door for creativity in an individual. If you look at it closely, Science and Religion both are leading us to the same destination, i.e., oneness. Science and Religion are communicated to people with the help of Philosophies. Fight among these two entities never stops. We find extremists on both sides. Each side condemns and degrades the other in every possible way. However, there’s no ultimate winner. When God can’t solve the problem, people go to Science and vice versa. This never stops. Today, Science and Religion both seem incomplete. Science fascinated many, and it will happen in the future as well.

Then, what is science? – In my opinion, Science is an activity where a person or group of people get involved in solving a complex (relative term) natural phenomenon by doing experiments and observation.

Science is the most fascinating activity because of liberty or freedom. I mean, one does not have any sought of boundaries to think or experiment. It is a joyful activity. A person who enjoys Science has the same feeling as a person who is spending time with his/her loved ones or in a meditative state. 

Then, my question is how to kill this joy? How to turn this meditation into depression / loneliness? Wait...

Before reading further, think for a minute what I intend to say?

Are we not doing exactly the same in Indian Universities? Are we not converting the high class would be scientists into merely Assistant Professors or just an academic clone?

We, I mean the public believes that politicians are not letting Indian Science to progress, but that is a half-truth. I always felt that, like all, at least for ten years, Science in India is getting murdered by politics (not politicians). Now, after having enough experience with so-called Indian scientists (academic), I totally disagree with the above (1st) point. Indian Science is murdered by politics being played by scientists (academic), not politicians.

Indian academic scientists, I have no second thought about their technical expertise or potential to carry out research. Indian academic scientists (most of them) are brilliant. They can give competition to anyone in the world. There is no question about IQ. The problem is about their Emotion and People Management.

Academic scientists (many of them) behave like pre-independence era British officers. What I feel is, they don’t understand the subtle difference between their Ego and Self-respect. They treat upcoming scientists like slaves (I hope there is no need for explanation). They are technologically advanced but emotionally or behaviorally lagging behind by at least 900-1000 years – which is painful. Sometimes, I even wonder whether they also have emotions to understand what another person might feel? There is no filter between their Brain and Tongue. They impress the whole world with their Science and vocabulary but lack in minimum sympathy towards their own students.

Roughly, each PhD student in his/her 4-5 years of PhD under a single professor, works on minimum 5-6 projects (consultancy as well as R&D) other than the Thesis. Still, why PhD students are not as confident as they were after their bachelor’s or masters? Who’s responsible for that? Why student need to stand in front of his/her professor’s office to get a recommendation for Asst Prof job or Post-doc position in some university? Because, the student realizes that, to survive in this web of science (politics) slavery is a must. Many times, professors are not even happy with the student’s performance even after 5 years of PhD. Is it not strange? This is why I call them Pre-independence era British Officers. If you record every meeting of PhD student with the supervisor, I bet you more than 60% (scientists) would end up in either Jail or Mental hospital. 

Studies after studies are saying that the mental health of Research Scholars is deteriorating year by year. Dropout rates in PhDs are increasing. Still, officials are not bothered to take any kind of actions? They recruit Psychologists for student counselling, but why not the person who’s responsible for that student’s situation get advice? Isn’t it a valid point?

Some professors behave as if they’re immortal. Money, freedom, and power turning them into devils. They don’t have any sought of legitimate fear (they are scared of death by the way). There is no one to ask for accountability – Money as well as human resources.

See, we started it with Science (freedom) just navigated ourselves to politics which is leading people to slavery.

Science or Religion cannot be practised where there is slavery. We need more stringent laws and accountability at grass root levels (academics) to create genius scientists.  

Note: This is not a generalised article. I am not speaking about every Professor. Many good professors were also victims of this dirty politics by senior professors. 

-SB