Science and the Missing Manifestos

Abstract

As the country is voting for a new government and the parliament for the sixteenth time, most political parties have published their manifestos on key policy issues and their plans for the overall development of the nation. The Hindu, in its 8 April 2014 issue, has compared the mani festos of several parties and their plans on the economy, foreign policy, disadvantaged groups, governance, infra structure, internal security, health, education and welfare. Sadly though, none of these manifestos has anything to say at all about science, technology, environment, agri culture and medicine (STEAM) in their agenda for the development of the nation or the states. That this neglect cuts across party or ideology lines is a cause for worry.