Can PM Narendra Modi work his magic on Indian science?

Can PM Narendra Modi work his magic on Indian science? 

Prime ministers' speeches are seldom discussed beyond a day or two, and their addresses at the annual Science Congress are discussed still less. Successive prime ministers have waxed eloquent many times at the Science Congress, praising Indian scientists and promising better funding for their research. But without any specific proposals and follow-up action, their speeches and ideas were forgotten quickly, to be remembered and forgotten again in the next Science Congress. This year, however, seems to be different.

At the Science Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not promise to increase funding for science. Instead he listed the main challenges for the country — water, energy, healthcare... — and talked about how they should determine our national priorities in science. He spoke of international collaboration in science and how he was personally involved in developing them. He also hinted, in generous terms, of what he intended to do for Indian science. "This is the best speech I have heard from a prime minister at the Science Congress," says T Ramasami, former secretary at the Department of Science and Technology (DST). 

Many scientists now sense a real opportunity to communicate what they want to the prime minister, and expect quick measures from him to invigorate research in India. They are hoping Modi will rapidly address their biggest pain point in doing research: excessive control from finance departments. Specifically, the scientific community is excited by Modi's articulation of their most serious problem, in words that could not have been more eloquent: "We want our scientists and researchers to explore the mysteries of science, not of government procedures." 

This statement was the result of communication from scientific departments and leading scientists about how badly bureaucratic control is stifling science, and how the problem has rapidly deteriorated in recent times. Modi has been meeting scientists on and off, privately in his office and on the sidelines of public functions. Although he has focussed on economic matters most of the time, his mind reportedly has not gone away completely from science and technology. To many scientists in the country, it seemed that Modi was keenly aware of what needed to be done to energise Indian science: de-bureaucratise, stimulate demand for scientists, and bring in the youth. "I was awestruck by his speech," says National Research Professor RA Mashelkar.