A day after Bharat Ratna awardee and eminent scientist C N R Rao called politicians "idiots" for giving scientists "so little", Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said on Monday that the UPA Government has given maximum support to science and research.
"The government has gone out its way to foster the growth of scientific community. The UPA Government has given maximum support to science and research for which Mangalayan, Chandrayan and INS Arihant could happen. No other government has done it," Tewari said.
Addressing a press conference a day after receiving the award, Rao said: "For the money you have given me for science, I have done much more. You ask the government, why are they asking me? Why these idiot politicians have been so little for us, and despite that, we scientists have done something," he said.
Rao, who is also the chairman of the Prime Minister's Scientific Advisory Council, sought more funds for research and education.
"I think we should become like that and invest more in education, more in science, so that the future of India is secure. Is it not good if India does good for five years or ten years?" he added.
Prof. Rao is an eminent scientist and a well-recognized international authority on solid state and materials chemistry. He has published over 1,400 research papers and 45 books.
Prof. Rao's contributions have been recognized by most major scientific academies around the world through conferment of memberships and fellowships. He has been honoured with several national and international awards.