Motherland calls in vain

 

 

They were never keen, but I compelled my sons to take up US nationality and advised against settling in our country for success or career. I support brain drain because I have seen the system here closely and have seen my career, health, family life deteriorate by the day due to its makkar (treacherous) ways. In 1971, when I was working with NASA, Indira Gandhi was bent upon luring back successful Indian scientists settled abroad. At that time, India was importing the anti-aircraft missiles from Russia. Now, the electronic eye placed in the infrared detector of the missile has a limited shelf life and can’t be replaced. I was working as a research associate in NASA specialising in this area with patents of the apparatus in my name and was offered a supernumerary post at one of DRDO’s laboratory (SPL) to work for this ‘top priority project’.

After coming to India, I learnt that billions are spent on defence purchases, yet we continue importing. Except for the Arjun tank used for salamis (salute), there is nothing indigenous. Having made to believe that this project would be given funds due to its priority status, I not only contacted NASA on my own for product rights, I also bought and assembled the apparatus to begin work. Once ready, I wanted them to test it but all either wished or expected that the product would fail. They wanted big names involved, for the commissions on equipment imports were as high as 20% and nobody in the entire channel wanted to forego the money by producing the equipment here!

When I proposed product testing in 1976, my transfer orders were released – teaching soldiers in Pune. I am a scientist and I can’t be a soldier, just as a soldier can’t be a scientist. In fact, the Director of the Pune Institute also said that a person like me was over-qualified for the job! I refused to accept the transfer order and I wasn’t allowed to enter the lab. I took up the challenge of fighting my case against all odds – I was the first scientist to be dismissed in the country and I was not ready to die with this. During those days, people were scared of speaking against defence. But Arun Shourie helped me, highlighting my cause. Dr Bhai Mahavir, the former Governor of Madhya Pradesh also helped a lot by challenging the judiciary as well as the government in the parliament.

The case went on until 1994 and though I won it, none of my dues have been cleared till date. Many, like the National Human Rights Commission and United Nations empathised with my cause but no action was taken. I am not sorry for any of it, but I have not been able to reconcile to the fact that not a single person has been brought to book. In such a situation, who would refuse the opportunity to work abroad? BRASS TACKS

For 2007-08, of the total budgeted expenditure, Rs 96,000 crore was allocated to National Defence. Allocation for Defence Research and Development stands at Rs 5887.22 crore, representing 6.13% of the total budget (Source: IDSA)