Feb 25 2025 to Feb 25 2025 6:30 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Politician, economist, social activist, strategist, or even mere scientist: Today, an expert in any walk of life anywhere in the world feels like they are in a bus going downhill with the brakes only somewhat working. For us in India, this kind of ride is everyday. Risks, uncertainties, and exigencies interfere daily with efforts  at careful planning and developing polices and their translation to action. Yet, through the dust and churn around us, it is worth examining how India has developed its policy and decision-making tools in complex and challenging areas since independence. Where have we done reasonably, and where are there causes for concern for the future?

In the first third of this talk, the speaker will summarise India’s science and technology journey from the early twentieth century to the present. Here, they will also point out how the world of science and technology has changed. The next third will address how science and technology have been used and have enabled the rise of technology giants and of current societies. Finally explored will be the question of what the future holds for India—seen through the lens of science and technology—in a world that could not have been imagined in 1900? What awaits us in 2050, a new, placid, peaceful valley, or will the bus continue to careen along?

The talk will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

This lecture is a part of Azim Premji University’s Public Lecture Series.

Presented by:
Speaker
K VijayRaghavan
DAE Homi Bhabha Chair, NCBS, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research & Former Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India

VijayRaghavan is Homi Bhabha Chair at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. From April 2018- April 2022, he served as the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. Prior to that, from 2013- 2018, he was Secretary to the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

As Secretary to the Government of India, and later as Principal Scientific Adviser, VijayRaghavan was involved in science, technology, and innovation, in all sectors, at the national and international level.

In 2012, he was elected a Fellow of The Royal Society and in April 2014 he was elected as a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences. He was conferred the Padma Shri on 26 January 2013 and is also a recipient of the Infosys Prize in the life sciences category in 2009.

He continues his interests and involvement in this ecosystem as well as in research in his laboratory. https://www.ncbs.res.in/faculty/vijay