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Peanuts and pure love won't bring scientists back to India

Mother India, love you they do. But mother India, pay them well, won't you?

That, in essence, is what Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Contemporary Studies Vice-Chairman Dr Abid Hussain's message to Bharat mata.

Hussain, who voiced this sentiment at the third Jawaharlal Nehru birth centenary lecture in New Delhi, made use of a very down-to-earth word to get his message across: Peanuts.

''Peanuts," he said, "can only get monkeys. Our scientists should not be allowed to be blossoms in the dust. They must have the zeal to work in India for India.''

Which zeal, he felt, was thoroughly lacking in even those who chose to stay back.

The world today is under the heavy impact of science and technology. It is powered by science, and to abdicate its support will be to condemn ourself to an area of darkness, denial and gloom.

''Science gives our contemporary society its coherence and modern life its meaning,'' he said.

Describing Nehru as a man of splendid thought and considerable brilliance, Dr Husain said India has achieved its unbelievable success because of the guidance of people like Nehru.

"Scientific discoveries changed the course of life on earth,'' he said, "As discoveries and inventions met the needs of society, science became a predominant vehicle of change and adventure.''

Dr Hussain also pointed out the darker side of science and technology, citing the Hiroshima and Nagasaki explosions.

ISCA Delhi chapter convenor V M Trehan, who followed Dr Hussain to the podium, said changes could only be brought about through greater application of science and technology.

''It is science alone that can solve the problems of hunger and poverty,'' he said, quoting Nehru, "The future belongs to science and to those who make friends with science.''

UNI