Details of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards
Present circumstances:
- The administration chose to “withhold” the Bhatnagar awards this year in an effort to “rationalise” things.
About:
- The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology is given out annually by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in India for noteworthy and excellent research in the fields of biology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, mathematics, medicine, and physics, whether it is fundamental or applied.
- On September 26, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) honours the accomplishments of scientists under the age of 45 as part of its Foundation Day celebrations.
- The announcement of the prize, which was created in 1958 to recognise Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, the Council’s founding director, has been a highly awaited event on the calendar of the scientific community.
The prize winners for this year have not yet been announced:
- The previous year’s CSIR Foundation Day did not feature this primary event; the list of recipients was reportedly decided but kept a secret.
- This year, it doesn’t appear that the CSIR will prepare a list of Bhatnagar laureates; instead, a “new structure of science awards” is reportedly being devised by the government.
- Of course, it is well within its rights to alter the criteria used to assess talent. Nevertheless, restrict CSIR’s latitude and withhold public plaudits from mid-career academics who might have resisted the urge to work abroad.
- It can therefore discourage many young people from expressing their creativity and embarking on challenging projects.
How much of a reward withholding is allowed in order to alter the selection process?
- Early talent identification may, of course, be subjective, but selection processes can be made better.
- Delaying the prestigious award without a legitimate reason, however, does more harm than good
- Working meticulously on a project for years or even decades is required. A researcher must frequently contend with frustrating bureaucratic red tape and funding failures.
- The uncertainty surrounding the Bhatnagar Prizes would be demoralising for people who work in such situations, especially in light of the government’s elimination of over 300 awards and fellowships the previous year. The country may lose out on talented people as a result of these obstacles.
Conclusion:
As a result, the government’s position on the main prize for young scientists seriously undermines the PM’s goal. The young scientist would be inspired to work harder if the Bhatnagar laureates for this year were announced.
