Students, Researchers and Scientists to Participate in 'India March for Science'

Students, researchers and scientists to take out a rally on August 9, 2017, as a part of ‘India March for Science’ initiative. The march is being organised to put an end to unscientific and conservative ideas. Researchers and students look forward to encouraging research through the march and increase funding for research.

The inspiration came from the March for Science that was conducted in over 600 cities across the world on April 22, 2017. The aim of the global march was to ask for robust funding for science along with formal government policies for the same.

Scientist participating the march stated that financial aid provided to premier institutes such as IITs, IISERs and NITs has been slashed. This has led to the shortage of funds in organising research programmes, the scientists added.

It was also added that research funding agencies such as DST, CSIR and DBT are facing difficulties due to reduced governmental support. Scientists in government laboratories have been advised to sell their inventions in order generate part of their salaries, the organisers of the march added.

The organisers also added that conservative ideas that hinder research and innovation must be abolished and scientific ideas should be promoted to improve the social health and rate of development of India.

Also Read: IIT Kharagpur Held 63rd Convocation; Chief Guest and Director Stresses on Research Initiatives

India March for Science will be conducted majorly in capital cities and following are their demands:

• At least 3% of the total GDP should be allocated to scientific and technological research.
• Also, 10% of the GDP to be secured for the education sector.
• Eradication of religious intolerance, unscientific and obscurantist ideas in accordance with Article 51A of the Constitution.
• Ensuring that education system communicates ideas that are supported by scientific facts and evidence.
• The scientists also demand that policies enacted by the government are based on scientific evidence.

Also Read: Jamia Millia Islamia Collaborates with Iranian University for Education, Research and Innovation

The Organizing Committee in Delhi will start the India March for Science from Mandi House and will take it to Jantar Mantar at 4.00PM. In Pune, the march will start from Mahatma Gandhi statue near Railway station and will end at Ambedkar statue.