Paswan Promises to Bring IISER in Bihar

by Dr. Rajkishore Prasad

Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Tokyo, Japan

In the last week Hon'ble Union Minister for Fertilizers and Chemicals and Steel Sri Ram Vilas Paswan came to Japan on an official visit with delegations. I requested him to spare some time to discuss issue of an IISER (Indian Institute of Science for Education and Research) for Bihar. Fortunately, despite his very hectic schedule, he agreed and I got time and met him on July 13, 2006 in the late night at Four Seasons Hotel in Tokyo.

The matter on which I drawn his attention is related with opening an IISER or NISc (National Institute of Science) in Bihar. The issue of NISc is related with former NDA led government which announced to open four NIScs, at Allahabad, Chennai, Orissa and Pune, across the country. Unfortunately, at none of the above places NISc came into the physical existence and government also changed. The current UPA led government has announced to open IISER (may be in place of NISc) in the country and till today two IISERs have been brought into functional status at Kolkata and Pune. Other places likely to get IISER are Chandigarh, Kanpur and Orissa. Unfortunately, Bihar has not been blessed with IISER despite its suitability. Regarding this I gave him a 21-page presentation pointing out the need of IISER in Bihar and prevailing disparity in distribution of national educational institutes and central budget for the technical education. Such disparities have been pointed out recently by the India Science report. Following were the points raised in the application

1. The current central government has announced to set up Indian Institute of Science for Education and Research (IISER) at Kolkata, Pune and Chandigarh. It seems that aims of IISER are similar to that of NISc, however, there is no such announcements by the government. But Bihar is again not in the list of states blessed with IISER. Applications regarding this have been sent to different authorities. On July 11, 2006, hon'ble PM has also inaugurated IISER at Kolkata.

2. It will be not out of place to mention that while opening such institutes union government is overlooking the matter of regional imbalance in the distribution of higher educational institutes as well as central funds across the country as pointed out in the India Science report 2005. However, hon'ble PM has shown his deep concern on the matter of such regional imbalances.

3. Bihar is deserted of national educational institutes. In the name of national institute, Bihar has a National Institute of Technology which is in infancy. It is well-known that in Bihar there is not a single institution like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Research laboratories of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Laboratory of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Central University or other institutes of national and international reputes. List of institutes of national repute can be seen at here.

4. As per India Science Report 2005, the number of Bihari students migrating to other states for the higher studies in science may be somewhere less than 0.6%. This happens due to imbalance in distribution of such institutes. Getting higher education outside is costlier and every aspirant cannot afford it despite his/her will to continue higher education in science. Such migration of student also leads to the development of infrastructure to states where they study. The establishment of such an institute will increase percentage of students from Bihar seeking higher education in science. The unavailability of institutes like IISER of higher education and research also forbid students from other parts of the country to immigrate here for education. This dispels Bihar from national and international educational streams and state remains known for its ugly faces to the rest the country.

5. Bihar shares higher percentage of non-scientific and technical workforce of the country. In the India Science Report, Bihar comes under BIMARU group of states and keeps 8.9% of non scientific and non-technical workforce of the country.

6. While addressing joint session of the legislatures of Bihar and also Bihar Chamber of Commerce in March, 2006, hon'ble president has also emphasized the need establishment of IISER, IIT like institutes in his10-points prescription to develop Bihar. In light of the same I have talked with hon'ble union minister for S&T, through BBC on April 2, 2006, who also opined that in Bihar such institute must be open.

7. The benefits of such institutes in locality are numerous but Bihar remains unaware of such benefits. Institute like IISER will help in improving condition of the local universities and create awareness for science education and research among teachers and students. It will accelerate process of industrialization. Establishment of IISER in Bihar will be a step towards minimization of prevailing regional imbalance in the distribution of educational institutes across the country.

8. Big institutions act like a magnet which can keep learned people of the society in the society. This will control, to some extent, internal as well as external brain drain. Lacking of this, Bihar is depleted of its own skilled human resources as well as of their contributions. This effects development of Bihar reciprocally.

9. Establishment of IISER in Bihar is a big political decision. Many states are in the race for it and of course government will open limited number of IISERs. Unfortunately, this issue for Bihar has not gained serious political support and attention yet. If Bihar gets an IISER, it will be a milestone in the history of scientific developments in Bihar. I also let him know about my past applications and my very recent developments with BiharBrains (www.biharbrains.com) on this issue.The hon'ble minister went through every point and have discussed in details. He was surprised to know why this matter has not been raised yet despite there are many ministers from Bihar including MHRD. He gave very positive promise. He will talk with hon'ble PM on his return and said that he will bring an IISER in Bihar. He also talked about the opening of National Institute of Pharmaceutical education and Research at Hajipur. Of course that is a big gift to Bihar which would not have come without his effort. I hope hon'ble minister will not make us hopeless on the issue of IISER too.