'The Path of Research...' ⏳

Why Research? | in Today’s Editorial!

Well, I chanced upon this very insightful article on the importance of doing research, in the Editorial page of today’s Dinamani, Chennai Edition.

The article is by Mr. R. Kathiravan.

To make this insightful article that’s in the vernacular available to a wider reading community, more especially for researchers and for students planning to take up research, I’ve attempted a translation of this article in English. So if at all there are any errors in translation, they are entirely this blogger’s. 🙏

Here goes this inspirational article on Research! 👇

“Let Us Journey in the Path of Research” 

Basically, education has the power to enhance one’s virtues and thinking skills. Yet another benefit of education is that, it also helps in fulfilling the economic needs of the people.

A qualitative and superior education becomes the foundation for the progress of the nation, and helps in the superior standard of living of the people as well.

Another important objective and benefit of higher education is Research.

Today, research is being carried out across Universities, private sectors, research institutes of the Government of India, in the fields of Science, Engineering, Economics, Agriculture, Medicine, History, Literature etc.

Research is seen as an extension of education, which helps in growth and development.

Let us now have a look at the statistics concerning the expenses involved in research, and the number of people who do research.

In America, for every one lakh people, 440 involve themselves in research.

In China, there are 130 researchers for every one lakh people.

In Israel, it is 825 researchers per lakh, and

in India, it is 27 researchers for every one lakh people.

And as far as expenditure on research is concerned,

In America, $1,866 is spent annually, for an individual researcher.

In China, it is $1,368 per researcher, per annum, and

In Israel, it is $1810, while in India it is $167 per annum.

Let us now try and connect these data with the economy of these respective nations.

In America, it is worth $ 23 trillions

In China, it is $17 trillions

In Japan, $6trillions

In India, $3trillions

In Israel, 400 billions

Israel has a population that’s a mere one hundredth the size of India’s. However, it is an astounding one eighth in its economy.

Moreover, new inventions, discoveries, production, and the obtaining of patents based on research, are considered of utmost importance in today’s competitive world.

In the market economy, in particular, patents have always had a close connect with economic growth.

Even in this aspect, these nations are a tad higher than us.

For example, up until the year 2018,

China tops the list with over 4.5 lakh patents,

America with 3.54 lakh patents comes second,

followed by Japan with 1.8 lakh patents.

India has so far obtained 25,000 patents.

Another important information that we can deduce from this data is that, countries that spend a lot on research achieve a greater and faster growth.

The allocation for research should be increased in India.

Also, many should be involved in research, and there are no two ways about it!

Although dropouts in educational institutions have considerably reduced in India, and enough motivation has been given for doing research, the number of people entering the field of research still remains abysmally low.

In this regard, there needs to be an improved coordination and rapport between Universities, Research Institutes, Industries and the Government.

This apart, although ‘research and findings and economic growth’ are spoken in tandem, the most important person in this circle remains the INDIVIDUAL alone! Individuals who are out on a quest, with a passionate, research-oriented focus on them alone form the backbone of the research department.

In this scenario, a proper understanding and perspective on research, its importance, and its benefits for the individual should be reinforced in society. 

At the same time, it is also equally important to dispel the false notion that research is something that’s impossible for the lay.

There should be an awareness instilled and inculcated among the lay that, research gives a solid foundation not only for the researcher, but also lays the groundwork for the enhanced living of the ensuing generations.

For example, if a person studies from their elementary education for a period of fifteen years, they receive their UG Degree. After that, let’s assume that, they settle in a job and receive a particular amount as salary in a time frame of ten years.

On the other side, there’s a person who starts off with elementary education, and who, in approximately 20 years’ time, after doing their research, receive their doctorate degree and then take up a job.

Right from then on, in a short duration of five years’ time, they receive a considerably higher salary, and exalted social status than the person who has settled for a job after their graduation. It is important that both parents and the students have this awareness on them.

Hence, with a futuristic bent of mind, students should come forward to do research in large numbers, not being mindful of the short-term benefits alone.

Only then can the development of the nation and the individual happen in tandem, in a harmonious manner.