C. N. R. Rao quotes

I feel the Indian industry should contribute to help the government towards scientific research. The government alone can't do it. As of now, there's nothing. I have been into research for about 40 years. In the US, 50 to 60 per cent of the research and development (R&D) cost would be covered by the industry. There is a need for the same here and the industry needs to do it. Earlier, the industry in India didn't feel the need to do research. They could sell anything. Now, it wants to compete with the likes of South Korea and Japan, but they can't. We need to change this or the industry can't compete. (C. N. R. Rao)
We created CNR Rao Education Foundation from a part of the million-dollar Dan David Award from Tel Aviv University, Israel, because if the youth don't catch on to science at a young age, we will lose whatever science and technology advantage we have now. My wife, Indumati has been leading the work of this foundation along with members of the family. We want to see India emerge as a scientific giant. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Always gain fresh insights, don't hesitate to ask the right questions. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
There are some CNR clones. Prof D D Sharma in chemistry, Prof Ajay Sood in Physics are doing good work. Let's see many more may come from the younger lot. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Since there was no infrared spectrometer, I managed to record routine infrared spectra of certain compounds here and there, in order to categorize group frequencies. One of these papers became a citation classic. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Observe leaders closely, learn as much as you can from their leadership styles. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Atoms were originally proposed as an idea. Although their presence was proved by various means, people did not think that they could see them directly. This was so until recently. We are now able to directly see atoms by employing powerful microscopic techniques. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
The only part of the early concept of the elements that has survived is that elements have distinctive properties. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Man's search for metals goes back to prehistoric times. Metals have been used for several thousands of years in India. Certain periods in history are associated with specific periods used extensively during that period. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Even metals offer some resistance for the passage of electricity. Some materials conduct electricity without any resistance. Such materials are called superconductors. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Fifty years is a very long period. The first 30–35 years – we could call this period as one when India equipped itself to face important problems. For example, we built institutions such as the IITs and the National Laboratories...We need much better infrastructure facilities and we must work on more difficult problems. Unfortunately, we have been used to working on problems that are somewhat repetitive. If we want to be at the cutting edge, we have to be innovators and originators. (C. N. R. Rao)
Philosophers of ancient Greece and India sought an answer to this question [What is matter made of] centuries before Christ. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Build a strong base. The journey to peaks of excellence requires a strong base camp. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
My hero is Nobel Laureate Neville Mott who published four papers at the age of 92 when he died. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Our society has created a bunch of icons and role models who are distorting not just the future of this city [Bangalore] but of all India, and of our sense of values. Our people have lost respect for scholarship. Money and commerce has taken over. If IT is going to take away our basic values, then you can burn Bangalore and burn IT. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Among scientists, I am the second to get it [Bharat Ratna], after C. V. Raman. M. Visveswariah was an engineer, not a scientist. In that sense I am the second scientist to get it. I am happy that Kannadigas are also getting the award. My parents would always tell me to learn Kannada well in my younger days so I could be good both in Kannada and English. Learn to read and write Kannada, then you can learn English and enjoy both languages. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
The famous iron pillar in Delhi, erected in the Gupta period (over 1500 years ago), is a marvel. After all these years this pillar stands erect without deterioration. This rustless iron pillar is a tribute to the great ingenuity of our forefathers. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
I feel basic science is getting its due now. I used to say earlier that Dr Homi Bhabha should get this honour and also some other eminent researchers. Scientists work very, very had but rarely get recognition. I have been working for 62 years. I was 17 when I started my research. I am going to be 80 soon. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
My monograph on visible spectroscopy using molecular orbital notations eventually resulted into a book in 1960. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
It is only since 1911 that we know that atoms contain negatively charged electrons and positively charged nuclei. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
An element is a substance which cannot be further reduced to a simpler substance by ordinary processes, and is made up of particles of one kind only. (C. N. R. Rao)
Never stop learning. The thirst to gain more knowledge should never come to an end. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Keep a balance between professional and personal life. Find time for your family and the things which interest you. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
Those days, poor teachers and poor policemen alone would have maximum children. But my father believed in a sort of family planning. He was known as family planning teacher then. View quote
C. N. R. Rao
The conditions at IISc were no match to the American centres but it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. View quote
C. N. R. Rao