Directed basic research or science for sustainable development

Science in India needs to undergo a paradigm change whereby it is viewed to have an explicit and a more direct relationship to building a knowledge economy for sustainable development. Progress in solving complex sustainability problems will be increasingly demanding on both basic understanding and learning as to how to apply existing knowledge in problem-solving mode - bridging the artificial and unending divide between basic and applied research. Building a shared vision, amongst the S&T community of the critical role that science can play, and developing and promoting a science agenda for sustainable development is a challenge, where the science academies and similar institutions have a role to play.