There is a feeling of disappointment and outrage in the scientific community over a  MiD DAY report which revealed that Dr B C Das, an associate of Nobel (medicine) winner Dr Harold zur Hausen, was not given an extension of service and had to retire leaving his research mid-way.

MiD DAY reported on Wednesday (Oct 8, 2008)  that despite repeated requests Dr B C Das was not given an extension as the Health Secretary refused to sign the file and retired at the age of 60. However, Dr zur Hausen continued his work and got the highest honour at the age of 72.

Debate on

The report has sparked off a debate in the scientific community whether procedural wrangles and dismissive babus are stunting country's intellectual growth.

Scientists believe that as babus set the agenda in the country, which put hurdles in their research and potentially diminish the chances of Indian intellectuals making it to the top.

MiD DAY spoke to many eminent scientists who said not only Prof Das but hundreds of other scientists are forced to leave their project in the middle as they attain their retirement age.

"The age of retirement at AIIMS has been extended to 65 recently, while it is 62 at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)," said Dr Vasantha Muthuswamy, former senior deputy  Director-General of ICMR, who was also made to retire a day before the government extended the deadline.

Late reaction

"About 42 scientists are supposed to retire at ICMR by the end of the year. The government extended the age of retirement from 60 to 62, but only a day after scientists like Dr Muthuswamy and Dr Das retired. If the decision was taken on time, we would not have to discontinue the services of these scientists," said a senior scientist at ICMR.

"The retirement age of 60 was set in 1947. Then the average life span in India was 47. Today, the average longevity is 67. When the scientists are at the peak of their carrier, they are forced to retire. It is a great loss for the country. However, such scientists are offered good opportunity by private sector," said another scientist.

UGC panel

The Chadha committee set up by the UGC had recommended to raise the retirement age to 65, which can be further extended to 5 years, if required.

"At Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the UGC has revised the age of retirement to 65 years. There is a provision of further extension of 5 years. However, if the a scientist could not complete his project even by then, he is given the opportunity to conclude it. This recommendation was particularly made for the post of Prof eminence whose work is extraordinary. In such cases, a UGC committee evaluates the project to permit the extension in service. Other bodies should also take such initiatives," said Prof Syed Asif Ali, chairman, Department of Biochemistry, AMU.

Proximity pays

Senior professors at AIIMS too pointed out that talent and intellect have no real value in India. "It is the proximity to the power-centre which is important. It became evident from the dispute between AIIMS former Director P Venugopal and Health Minister A Ramadoss," said a senior professor at AIIMS.

A case in the context is Dr Rajsekharan, who is a relative of Dr Ramadoss, and continues at the head of the National Board of Examinations at the age of 74.