Kris Gopalakrishnan’s gift for the creation of a Centre for Brain Research

Kris Gopalakrishnan’s gift of Rs 225 Crores (say about US$35 million) for the creation of a Centre for Brain Research is an important development in India. Not merely because some of the profits from a technology based industry are made available for advanced research, but also because of the excellent choice of the subject. There are many in this country who can throw money at some field or the other of their choice, but few have the penetrating vision that selects the science whose time has come. Naturally, a philanthropist would be guided by advisors in making such a choice.  If this decision was steered by his advisors, I must congratulate Kris Gopalakrishnan for having chosen obviously excellent advisors. The choice of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) as a partner in this effort is also a very good choice. The fact that IISc has already invested in a Centre for Neuroscience is a promising indication of IISc’s interests and capabilities.

Better understanding of the nature of knowledge and information, and understanding the brain that understands all that, – these are two big challenges in front of humanity today. Investing on these is the privilege of visionaries. The decision will have a significant impact on the scientific and economic future of India.

There is yet another reason why Gopalakrishnan’s contribution is very important; it demonstrates that there are Indians willing to make significantly large donations to promote education and research without looking for a profit. It is a common to see some panelist or other on TV discussions argue for the idea that education should be as open a sector as selling any other commodity or service! There is a profit motive in mind of the companies that sell their products and services, right? Why don’t you let them sell education as well? I think that such an argument is foolish.

I believe that private organizations should be free to provide educational services. However, if they are to confer degrees and qualify for tax-exemption, they should be not-for-profit institutions. I am sure that India has a large enough body of donors, who over the years would endow a thousand universities. They will structure these institutions such that they will administer themselves, and keep out the corrupt and the incompetent. Society should ensure that educational institutions should meet high standards and are managed in academic matters by their own faculties with the cooperation of a small set of eminent persons of high standing. That an institution should have high standards surely does not mean that it should obey every little instruction coming from the Govt. It is possible to create and run accreditation mechanisms that are free of exploitation or micro-management by Govt.

Equally, Society should allow contributions to universities at different stages of development to be deducted from the income tax of the contributor, as long as it is below a certain (say 50%) percentage of the total income tax payable by him that year. 

History shows that private donors have played a great role over the centuries in creating universities of great reputation. India needs to make sure that Indian donors are not turned away from doing great service to society by mindless control of politicians and bureaucrats.

Srinivasan Ramani