Harvard Professor Endorses Viksit Bharat 2047, Calls for Science Prodigies
At the Global Education Summit in New Delhi, Dr. Rajesh Mehta, a distinguished Harvard professor of applied sciences, praised India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative. He emphasized that cultivating young scientific geniuses is essential for India to achieve its goal of becoming a global leader in innovation.
Viksit Bharat 2047: A Roadmap for Scientific Leadership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047 aims to transform India into a developed nation by its 100th year of independence, with science and technology as key drivers. Dr. Mehta commended the vision but stressed that infrastructure alone won’t suffice.
“India must produce prodigies—exceptional minds who can pioneer breakthroughs in AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology,” he said. Comparing India’s potential to China’s STEM success and Israel’s innovation culture, he urged systemic changes to nurture talent.
The “Prodigy Gap”: Challenges in Indian Science Education
Despite India’s strong engineering talent, Dr. Mehta pointed out critical gaps:
- Rote Learning Over Creativity: “Our education system prioritizes memorization, stifling curiosity.”
- Low R&D Investment: India spends only 0.7% of GDP on research, lagging behind the US (3.4%) and South Korea (4.8%).
- Brain Drain: Over a million Indian students pursue education abroad due to limited domestic research opportunities.
4 Steps to Foster Science Prodigies in India
Dr. Mehta proposed actionable solutions:
- Modernize School Labs: “Equip classrooms with AI tools and mentorship programs.”
- Boost Industry-Academia Collaboration: “Encourage tech giants to fund university research.”
- Support Risky Ideas: “Create ‘Moonshot Fellowships’ for teens exploring bold theories.”
- Embrace Failure: “Celebrate experimentation, not just success.”
Success Stories and the Path Forward
Initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs and Tamil Nadu’s Pudhaiyal AI program show promise. However, Dr. Mehta urged faster scaling.
“Imagine if India had structures to nurture talents like Tanmay Bakshi, the young AI prodigy,” he said. With policies like the National Education Policy 2020 and Vigyan Jyoti for girls in STEM, the foundation is set—but execution is crucial.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Dr. Mehta’s message is clear: India’s journey to 2047 depends on investing in young innovators today. “Let’s aim not just for a developed India, but a discovering India,” he concluded.
