WHY are Indians such a bunch of geeks? In Geek Nation, Angela Saini goes in search of the truth behind the stereotype. At first, she finds India鈥檚 prestigious technical institutes and high-tech industrial zones to be hives of worker bees, lacking the passion Saini had hoped for. But venturing further afield she finds that the blending of ancient traditions and modern technologies is creating a unique brand of science. That can be good, as vast reserves of brainpower are applied to the problems of the world鈥檚 poor; or bad, as unproven remedies are adopted out of desperation to cure the country鈥檚 social ills.
Geek Nation is stronger on vignettes and anecdotes than on facts and figures, so it鈥檚 not a book for those seeking a neat summary, were such a summary possible. But those who want to understand how India is shaping up as a scientific superpower will find it a worthwhile and engaging read.
Geek Nation: How Indian science is taking over the world
Hodder & Stoughton