तिश्ना—लब

Following my rant on scientists being quiet on the unconstitutional Citizenship Amendment Act, here are a few examples from history in a hope to stir their conscience to act now and stop this hegemonic brutality against students and academics. You see, they call it "brain drain" when academics and researchers leave India. I am hoping not lose next Obaid Sidiqqui, APJ Abdul Kalam or Salim Ali as a minion to this ugly and divisive politics and stop this "brain purge" before happening. Dr Abdus Salam: Dr Abdus Salam obtained his PhD in Theoretical Physics from Cambridge in 1950. He returned to his home country of Pakistan in 1951 for a lectureship position. He left Pakistan in 1954 but continued to work with government on vital projects. He finally resigned from his post with Pakistani government when in 1974 a law declaring Ahmadis to be non-Muslims and depriving them of their rights was passed, a religion to which he belonged. He was the first Muslim to...

In the wake of dystopian events that unfolded last evening at Jamia Milia Islamia, students all across India have organized protests and marches today. IIT Bombay organized a march late in the night, TISS-Bombay, IIT-Madras, BHU, Hyderabad's MANU, AMU along with IISc have reverberated dissent against this barbarism. This is different from the protests civilians are holding all across India. Evidently, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) - 2019, passed with majority in both houses is simply unacceptable by the general public. And why not? Week before last, news was filled with stories of rape and murder of women. In the following week, the parliamentary houses passed the CAA in a rush I wish they'd show for the safety of women or/and climate change! Although I should blame everyone equally for their silence on this, my maximum disappointment lies in silence of scientists. CAA categorically excludes Muslims from seeking Indian citizenship if they have migrated from any nei...

I had an interview recently at a renowned lab here in India. I admired her work and simply couldn't wait to talk to the PI, tour the lab and telling her that I am a big fan. After the interview, the PI told me about how they are little frugal about lab supplies (and the practice apparently served them well), the 11-12 hour commitment to the lab and their high drop-out rate. All of this was to signify how science-y they are probably. However, I found these practices very uncomfortable. Especially her complacency about the drop-out rate. Indian scientists seem to find a merit in the high drop-out rate from their lab. It is like a badge of honor. Why do you have to assume the reason for them leaving is because you are demanding and/or the student is incompetent? That is stupid. There are numerous reasons a student can quit working with someone. It doesn't necessarily have to be something wrong about the student!  Why do you have to showcase it like a crown? It ...