Election manifestos have pushed matters of scientific research and policy to margins | The Indian Express

Election manifestos have pushed matters of scientific research and policy to margins | The Indian Express

Written by M S Santhanam |Updated: May 23, 2019 6:25:03 am

The author is a professor of physics at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune

Election manifestos have pushed matters of scientific research and policy to margins

As we wait for the results of an acrimonious election, even the significant manifesto announcements seem like a distant memory crowded out by emotive issues and vitriolic speeches. The non-contentious issues related to science and technology are struggling to find a foothold in this narrative.

Even a cursory analysis reveals a huge gap between these promises and actual delivery. After the 1960s, migration of scientists to the Western countries increased. (Representational image)

Election manifestos have a short shelf-life in public memory. Except for the big-ticket announcements such as NYAY or doubling farmers’ income, political parties are rarely held accountable for the other, often significant, commitments they make in their manifestos. This selective accountability encourages breaching the election promises with impunity, especially in areas such as science and technology (S&T) that remain outside the media limelight. If manifestos ever grapple with issues that have implications beyond the election cycle, it is in these critical areas that determine the nation’s long-term competitiveness. As a marker of India’s technical prowess, S&T issues have been a part of manifestos since many decades, though with an unenviable track record of delivery on promises.