"IITians don't rule the world", Dr. Amitabh Ghosh

Dr. Amitabha Ghosh

Post-graduation in applied geology, IIT Kharagpur

Working at NASA

courtesy : indianexpress.com

The following Interview was taken in Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2005. We present you key extracts from the Interview....

Dr. Amitabha Ghosh was the only Asian on NASA's Mars Pathfinder mission. At present, he is a member of the Mars Odyssey Mission and the Mars Exploration Rover Mission.

During the Mars Pathfinder Mission, he conducted chemical analysis of rocks and soil on the landing site. The Simple and unassuming 34-year—old planetary geologist has won several accolades, which include the NASA Mars Pathfinder Achievement Award in 1997 and the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Achievement Award in 2004.

The journey from India to NASA.

It has been an intriguing experience. I was keen on geologic research data interpretation and solar system formation. During my geological research days in India, I had slept in railway stations while traveling to various places. After my post-graduation in applied geology from IIT Kharagpur, I wrote a letter to a professor at NASA expressing a desire to work at the space agency. I made certain suggestions; in fact, it was a critical letter. In India, you can never imagine criticizing your professor.

My suggestions were approved, while I to work at NASA.

I think one requires luck and to put in sincere effort to achieve one's goals. Being in the right place at the right time is also important.

In Mumbai for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, he spoke about his work at NASA and his vision for India.

The Vision for India:

I feel there India has a great future. We have world—class companies. Today, companies like Infosys can be compared with world leaders like Oracle. Like the Information Technology revolution, we can have a science or space revolution. We have the potential to bring about revolutions in other sectors as well.

How India can we develop science and technology sector?

It should be treated as a business. There should be more private participation. We must have an cxtemal review to evaluate the system and make changes as science and technology can take the country forward.

We must check brain drain. About 80,000 students migrate to the US for further studies, and settle there. They find the facilities much better abroad. We need to reverse brain drain by enhancing and upgrading institutes in India.

courtesy : rediff.com

The state of space research in India:

I don't want to make controversial statements. All I can say is India is not at the frontier of space research. We have made commendable progress but there is a long way to go. We can do much better. I would be glad to be of help in any way. Investment in research is investment in imagination. lt is a matter of national pride and internal recognition. We need to allocate more funds to enhance research and development work.

We need good educational institutes like IITs and IIMs, but llTians don‘t rule the world. You must remember that Microsoft co-founder (Bill Gates does not have a college degree. Youngsters must look around for role models and see what it is that they are doing right. Individuals must make use of their inherent strengths to succeed.

How can India become a leading global player?

Globalization will reap huge and long-term benefits and India must make the best use of the opportunities. At the PBD seminar, 1 found people presenting grandiose plans. Instead. we should look at the realities and immediate solutions.

The private sector has to be actively involved in the development of the country and the government has to respond to the needs of the people. Fifteen years ago, we didn't have an lnfosys, today we have many global companies.

There should be drastic reduction in paper work. We need a scenario where one can start any business in a day, like in the US.

Can India have something like NASA?

The answer is: Yes, India can. All it requires is the right kind of investment, infrastructure, people and support from the government.