Classic Indian reactions to "Research"

I've realized I'm gradually turning into an asocial person, after I joined research. Maybe it is to do with my choice of field (a paleontologist, you could say I like dead things more than living ones!), or maybe it is to do with the fact that I don't find many I can talk to about my work.

[But isn't that true for most professions? Which of your relatives really understands your profession, your interests, your job?]

The greatest reason, however, is that most Indians think that Indian researchers are crap.

And so it happens that whenever I'm in a social gathering, I start observing people's reactions to my "Research" in response to their "So what do you do?". And there are some consistent characters everywhere.

1. The Sneerers

These are the people who will immediately tell you that you should have gone abroad. That there is no scope for science in this country. That the only real science happening anywhere in the world is in the States. That the fact that you are in India *obviously* means you couldn't do anything worthwhile. Then they often turn to a different conversation with a different topic, wherein they comment "Is desh ko Kalam jaise logon ki zarurat hai."

2. The Over-Patriotic Ones

These are the ones who will squash the paan to one side of their mouth and tell you how much they believe in the values of this country. That education was born in this country. That science was born in this country. That the world was born in this country! Err, whatever. And then they turn to the pavement and relieve themselves of the peek. Because you know, this country is so great they like to spit on it every once in a while.

3. The Concerned Ones

These are usually younger than the rest, who still remember something of their enthusiasm for/aversion to science. They understand what it means to want a job one has a passion for. Of course, it still goes down the drain every once in a while when someone says, "Yaar, but what are you going to do after research?" (Like it can only be a stepping stone to..what? Admission to an IIM? IAS preparation? Another job? Going abroad??). Or sometimes even: "Yaar, but there is no scope for research in this country. How are you going to ever earn anything?" This statement, unfortunately, is only partially wrong. More about that some other time.

4. The Interested Aunties

These are the most amusing ones: the Aunties who think you're in a "soft" profession and hence would make good bahus. Because, you know, it isn't a real job so you can leave it easily to *adjust* with their sons. Or better still, since you pretend to have a career their husbands told them is only a real career in the States, you'd like to join their sons in the States.  Awww, Roka karne aa jaiye Auntyji.

So let's get some facts straight about Indian research.

Yes, the States has a better scene. Why? More funds. Better policies. More competitive crowds. Better living conditions. Great institutions.

Most.
Definitely.
Better.

BUT. It isn't impossible to do good research in India. Because if the States is a 5 and India is a 3 (on some totally undefined scale), India is still not a 0 ! We have some serious talent (which, everybody notices, happens to shine abroad!). We have a shortage of competitive scientists, and yes, there are well paid positions in our structure. Our policies are transforming (you might have noticed, India happens to be changing as a whole). And our institutions aren't something that will emerge out of dust for nothing.

India is waiting to be made. And if you aren't contributing, please keep your mouth shut.


A less grumpy P.S.

I got this from Buzzfeed, and we all know where they got it from.

A few people reminded me that I do get the "Hey, so are you like Ross?" reaction every once in a while too. And I can't not admit it, I do feel cool whenever that happens. I've even used this at a visa interview, I kid you not. And I got the visa. So having ranted my posterior off about how ignorant people are towards research and how insensitive their comments can be, I must admit, if you are one of those few who have ever shown me (or any researcher) genuine interest towards the concerned field of interest, you are one seriously nice person. 

The trick is to remember that all research is essentially unexplored territory (otherwise it's just a scientific chore), and you wouldn't know about it unless you were working in the same field (which means, yes, that a structural geologist isn't always abreast with what's cooking in the world of stratigraphy, even though they're all geology things). But all Science benefits from a sharp, curious attitude. And there is always a nice way to ask a researcher about their work.

Also, researchers generally do not get very famous unless they give something to mankind that lots ad lots of people can use very soon. Stalwarts in different fields go unnoticed by the public's attention because well..Big Boss and Sunny Leone and stuff like that. (Seriously, if you can remember the names of over 10 Nobel Laureates, and yes, those are severely cool people, I'd be surprised.) Wake up a bit, give Science its fair share of attention and respect, and then move on to your easy-breezy life that wouldn't be this way if Benjamin Franklin didn't know how to fly a kite.


Psst...like such posts?

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