It has become fashionable to lament the declining quality of Indian science as reflected in certain scientometric studies. One of the causes allegedly responsible for this decline is the spurt in engineering education which is seen to be draining away talent from science. Current Science too has suggested that the IITs must 'consider emphasizing postgraduate education and research and to lower the rising barriers between science and engineering'. If this kind of argument is taken to its logical conclusion, then the only way to 'save' science is to curtail opportunities in engineering, cause disaffection in that part of the society that is hungry for engineering education and then hope and pray that some frustrated elements will break ranks and join the science stream. This 'dog-in-the-manger' attitude is reflective of the intellectual bankruptcy of our leaders in science.
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