Well. This question was asked Bill Gates some seven months ago in a leading forum and I had responded to him as under.

I feel the topic raised and the response issued is still relevant and hence I would like to share with you all through this blog.

A timely thought and timely taught.

I would like to share some of my thoughts on the subject.

For young people:

1. Experiment, experiment till you get a convincing and repeat response. Did we not learn that fire burns and hurts badly only by experience (or experimenting with fire)?

2. Do not put or allow any one to put your lingering doubts on any issue/topic under the carpet. Question the ancient wisdom till you get a satisfactory response

3. Discoveries are not made over night. They are made by those who pursue them with a passion

4. Remember how many times you questioned your parents why the crows crow and why dogs wag their tail. It is a different story that we did not get a convincing reply so far. Frequent questioning may keep the fire in you. As we grow old, quality of questions will improve.

For parents

1. Allow your children to experiment, at times even costly experiments. Only by such experiments they learn the easy way.

2. Do not put off inquisitiveness in your children even if you cannot promote or tolerate

3. Provide a congenial atmosphere at home to your children to pursue passionate interests.

4. Do not focus only on children's academic performance. Engage them in science / technology related topics and encourage them to come out with their solutions.

For schools

1. Engage talented and dedicated teachers

2. Conduct periodical science / technology exhibitions for different age groups and encourage each and every student to participate

3. Provide visibility to young students talents and findings in the media and television so that other students can also get motivated

4. In your curriculum provide for special ways and means to encourage and promote hidden scientific / technological talents in the young minds

For businesses

1. Pursue Responsible Business Initiatives

2. Depute your R&D head and team to nearby schools to periodically interact with students and share with them questions that remain unanswered and encourage them to come out with possible answers. When the needed answers come in from the young minds, acknowledge them and provide for their ownership, including possible patent rights.

3. Adopt schools and provide them with all necessary infrastructural support.

4. Create and support Science / Technology Chairs in Schools (as of now, they are established only in leading academic institutions). This way, the dedicated teachers and talented students can be encouraged

5. Sponsor science and technology journals in each town / city; encourage young minds to share their thoughts in these publications; conduct regular talent search and award prizes.

6. Set up science/technology museums in each town / city and encourage young children to visit them as often as possible. To retain the interest, ensure that displays are periodically updated

7. It may not be a bad idea, to keep aside a percentage of net profits for such initiatives. This is particularly recommended for manufacturing companies and companies that depend on scientific/technological innovations for meeting customers needs.

For governments

1. Do not interfere in school administration, curriculum development and (mis) guided development.

2. It would be just ideal if you only provide financial support to schools and such educational institutions and leave the rest to them to manage.

For society at large

1. Play the watch dog role effectively

Well. At the turn of last few centuries, great discoveries have been made. I bet, this century also will not lag behind. I strongly believe, in the next couple of years (by or before 2020) alternative energy sources would be discovered (to relieve our dependence on oil). It is therefore time for now, to engage and encourage young minds to pursue and promote science/technology careers.

Thanks for the opportunity to interact