Govind Gujar: entomologist's journey to understand the Society we live in

A few days back, an interesting news item related to copy cat publications of USA, China and India. India ranks third in order after USA and China. These findings are based up on the retractions of publications in response to exposure of malpractice by the colleagues and or due to change of heart. Every one who is in academics is exposed to copycat research, some time it is duplication, some time it is repetition. Some call it adaptive research for their conditions. Others just do it to confirm what is done elsewhere. If copied from the advanced countries at the fast rate, it can be considered as relevant and original. Often, it takes time for many colleagues to sink in an idea that this has been copied or is similar to some thing that has already appeared as a better publication or in a higher ranking journal. Of course, time lag between two (one original and another copy cat) and its realization varies depending up on the field of research, research personnel, spectrum of research,...

This week, I read the news item that High court judge has recused the case of Gopal Kanda involved in suicide case to some other bench/judge. I know of the Sr. officer similarly recussing the case of disciplinary action against an employee who used to use abusive language against many in our organization. I do not know the reasons of recusing the work allotted before or midway. Can I recuse my work to some one else? I wish I too...whenever the task is hot (I mean controversial). Unfortunately, I am not high official to do so. I will be accused of avoiding/dereliction of my responsibilities. I may face wrath of my supervisor; and even a disciplinary action. The google search for meaning of 'recuse' shows " challenge (a judge or juror) as unqualified to perform legal duties because of a potential conflict of interest or lack of impartiality".  By the way, what could be potential conflict of interest for a judge to be impartial. Is it not necessary for the judge t...

Karnataka has now fallen to Bhartiya Janata Party, with  Mr BS Yaddyurappa again becoming Chief Minister. This is the same Yaddyurappa who had fallen foul of BJP leadership for being corrupt and convicted by the Court. BJP with likes of Yaddyurappa and Reddy Brothers will rule the state making money for themselves. It is not that Congress's Siddharamaih or Janata Dal (S)'s Kumaraswamy would not have done that, had any one of them being chosen as CM. People really had no choice to select the good candidates. Unfortunately, the people of Delhi who had reposed their faith in the novice, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal have found out that those with power are drunk with power and learn the rope of politics faster than any thing else. Hope now people realise that they should not merely vote but participate in the democracy by putting up good candidates in the hope many the better and of the many, some will be cleaner too for development.