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VIGYAN RATNA AWARD COULD HAVE BEEN FOR 5 SCIENTISTS
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VIGYAN RATNA AWARD COULD HAVE BEEN FOR 5 SCIENTISTS

Letters To The Editor October 31, 2025 , by

IN 2023, the GOI instituted the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar similar to the Padma Awards, for outstanding achievements in science, technology and innovation. There are 56 awards under four categories: Vigyan Ratna Award (VR, 3), the highest honor, Vigyan Shri (VS, 25), Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB, 25) for scientists below 45 years of age and Vigyan Team (VT, 3) for collaborative efforts by a group of three or more individuals. The first Vigyan Ratna award was in 2024 to biochemist Dr G Padmanaban.
In the 2025 Awards, eight have been conferred with VS, 14 VY-SSB and one VT. The VR has been posthumously given to the late Dr Jayant Narlikar, the “Father of Indian Cosmology,” who passed away on May 20.
Since Jan 2025 besides Dr Narlikar, India lost four other leading scientists: Dr R Chidambaram (Jan 4) who played a vital role in 1974 Pokhran-I and 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests. Dr K Kasturirangan (April 25, 2025), former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Dr S Ghose (May 17), the “Father of India’s Science Museum,” and Dr MR Srinvasan (May 20), former Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy , chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and founder-chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.
Firstly, in 2024 three of the above five scientists could have been honored with the VR during their lifetime. Secondly, posthumous awards are a good way to remember the contributions of a scientist but serves less purpose. Thirdly, in the fitness of things, the other four deceased scientists too could be honored with the VR. The rule of a maximum of three scientists could have been relaxed/waived off as an exception.
Anyway, even during their lifetime all the above scientists did not hanker for positions, awards and rewards but served India quietly and with distinction and placed us on the global scientific map.
— Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem, Goa
MGNREGA WAGES SHOULD GO UP
IT is said that the Central government has increased the wage rates under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) for the financial year 2025-26.
While giving the national average wage, this increase has increased the daily wage of MGNREGA workers from Rs349 to Rs370 per person. Is that all? Come on government, give at least Rs800 /day. And give a relief that will the wages work throughout the year?
There should not be an increase according to the state. This should not be an increase according to the state. This increase should be common in all states so that laborers would be happy in their villages. Private wages are paid more in Goa than in any other state, due to which Goa has ecome Dubai for non Goans.
The highest increase is said to be in Haryana, where the wage rate has increased by Rs26, and it has become Rs400 per day. Everywhere, it should be Rs800 per day, because there are no facilities, no benefits, no PF, no DA, no TA, no insurance, no medical, no pension, no bonus…and nothing. Now the laborers should be given government salaries and government servants should paid MNREGA payments. No headache for government job. Only then my coutry, India, will be great, greater and greatest!
Look at the increase in Maharashtra, the wage rate for unskilled workers in Maharashtra has been fixed at Rs312 per day. What is this? What should be done for the poor? Rs800 per day should be done. At least start raising the poor.
Assistance? What kind of assistance is this? This increase has been made to face inflation and to ensure that the laborers in rural areas get fair remuneration, they say. Dear government, a common man needs basic necessities to live. This should be considered.
The wage rates under MNREGA are determined by considering the Consumer Price Index (CPI_-AL) for agricultural laborers. This changes the wage according to inflation in rural areas. What is the base for this system? The idea for normalizing poverty is needed. The index is determined by humans. Learn to increase it.
Both men and women are paid the same wage for work under MNREGA. But, provide them sufficient income. Is the government for the people or not?
There is a demand for a further increase in wages. Why to demand it? Should the people’s rights be given to the people or not? See what the Constitution says….
Some political parties and parliamentary committees have demanded an increase in the minimum wage rate of MNREGA to Rs400, so that it matches the current economic situation. Is that so much only? One needs to experience poverty and understand life to eradicate poverty.
— Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora, Goa

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