Articles by: Malhar Dandekar

Critical Comments on the Principal Scientific Advisor’s Interview

Critical Comments on the Principal Scientific Advisor’s Interview

On April 23, 2021 the Economic Times published a short interview with K Vijay Raghavan, the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India. It is my understanding that the Office of the PSA is tasked with advising the government on scientific matters. This interview, however, would lead one to think otherwise: when the PSA’s responses are not factually[Read More…]

by 05/05/2021 1 comment India
Academia and the Need for Disorientation

Academia and the Need for Disorientation

Around a month ago, a workshop intended to address the gender gap in the sciences called Pressing for Progress 2019 was held at the University of Hyderabad (UoH). Early this October, Telangana Today reported that the UoH Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile addressed the attendees, sharing with them his thoughts on the conference and its aims. I read this with[Read More…]

by 23/10/2019 Comments are Disabled Life/Philosophy
The Politics of Space Exploration

The Politics of Space Exploration

  A few weeks ago, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) came frightfully close to witnessing their lunar lander Vikram autonomously descend onto the surface of the Moon. It has been suggested that a malfunctioning thruster was responsible for the failure to land as originally planned. Despite the disappointment, the moment has succeeded in capturing the imagination of many, in no small[Read More…]

by 28/09/2019 Comments are Disabled India