Indian research labs are likely to soar high with more investments

Researches bring innovation and the endless time and energy given by our scientists to the experiments and deeper studies have been making many unexpected things possible, which have been adding to the advancement of our lives. We always tend to enjoy end results of the experiments, but we do not give required attention to the series of experiments and researches behind them. Especially in Indian context, we do need to promote our research lab industries with more investments and support. Considering the times we are living in, we should minutely watch their efforts and support them; we surely need to evolve and be independent. But would that be possible?

For deeper analysis, let us take a recent example of COVID testing. We know in the beginning of the pandemic, these testing kits cost around ₹4000, but today they are available for less than ₹800. This cost difference and the easy availability has been made possible due to government’s rigorous intervention for public health. From the beginning since COVID pandemic hit, our research labs have been burning midnight oil to prepare such cost-effective testing kits, and facilitate our huge population needs. Another example can be taken of cardiac stents. Going back into the time, when cardiac stents were made up of bare metals and used to cost lakhs of rupees. We had to look up to the developed countries for constant supply, but today the cost of cardiac stents has come down significantly, and now they are made of biodegradable polymer-coated with drug eluting properties as well. These are available in the Indian market at very competitive rates. If someone asks how that happened, then the answer is our research labs’ efforts and the government’s effort to make it feasible and affordable.

The examples mentioned above confirm the ability and commitment of our research labs, but at the same time this industry needs an inclusive approach. We surely need to look at the factors that may add to its evolution and help them to grow for better development in our society.

Researches need more funding. Any breakthrough research needs funds; over the years we have seen growth in this area but to promote more required research, we need to have more funds. Apart from the need of better infrastructure, the scientists and staff working day and night need to be paid for their work. More investment will help add more skilled manpower and advanced infrastructure and technologies. Research needs support of private industry to make it sustainable and productive. More focus should be to make the end results affordable for general public. Hence, the government has a major role to play.

The constant pressure of giving positive results should be managed. We do have to accept the fact that research also fails; not every time complex studies come up with the required positive results. But the constant pressure of giving positive outcome somehow restricts the freedom to experiment or work with innovative ideas. The money spent on some research may not prove to be lucrative and that should be accepted so that our scientists can work without pressure. Sometimes, it takes multiple years to conduct a research and constant pressure is only going to break the spirit of the scientists and the staff at research labs. We need to understand that many failed experiments have been leading to surprising innovative discoveries, but the freedom to continue with the efforts is highly needed.

Collaboration – Public private partnerships. There are many areas of intervention where government can provide sample load for doing research and can partner with private research laboratories for high-end testing. This process can lead to faster results and proper utilization of resources. However, these partnerships should be encouraging and without bias.

More appreciation to the team doing experiments along with its results. Adding to the point mentioned above, especially in the Indian context, our research and lab industries need more appreciation. They are doing brilliant job. We have given COVID vaccines to the world; we appreciate the final results, but this field needs to be understood and appreciated by general public as well. Undertaking research and experiments should be encouraged more in our country with smooth financial aid. We are sure to evolve with time if we consider every required area of this field and do the needful.