Taking up a unique mode of agitation, a phD student has taken up cause on behalf of all the research scholars of the country. In support of demands to improve facilities, he plans to walk from Mohali to Delhi by road. "After waiting for a long time to see the improvement in regarding the issues, I have decided to walk from Chandigarh to Delhi in this winter starting from December 25 on behalf of every researcher in India. I Hope, it will make the higher authority to understand our problems at least now," he says.

Having started from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Siva Ranjan had crossed Ambala and then reached Karnal, 30 kms from there. 

Speaking to the BioSpectrum from Ambala, Siva mentioned, "I met IISER Mohali director, Prof SatyaMurthy and Prof K S Viswanathan (Dean, students) in Ambala. Thanks a lot to them for spending their time to come to Ambala to convince me to come back to IISER. But i requested them to leave me on our way and i thank them for understanding me."

The highly determined research scholar also revealed that Prof Satya Murthy had facilitated a call to the secretary, department of biotechnology, Dr Vijay K VijayRaghavan and Prof Brihaspathi. He expressed happiness that they took out time to hear him but he feels that mere assurances won't help.

"They have explained me how the system goes and asked me to stop walking in winter. I requested them to fasten to find solutions to our demands while we are doing this protest. I am sure, i will not give up unless we see the final result this time. We are frustrated with the assurance every time, but no or slow implementations. I request all of you to be united for this time," added Siva.

Here are the demands highlighted by ShivRanjan:

1. The government must ensure regular disbursal of fellowship, contingency, medical and other rightful benefits for all the scholars in various institutions and must be same all over India.

2. There must be a slab implementation of JRF to SRF (1.3 fold of JRF) and SRF to RA (1.3 fold of SRF). Must revise the fellowship amount on the basis of inflation factor regularly. By providing the proper amount of fellowship and facilities, stop our students to do Ph.D. in abroad.

3. In similar to the previous hikes, initiate the recent hike from 1st April 2014 for all the scholars and project fellows irrespective of the funding agency (including scholars in Universities).

4. All discriminating fees including registration fee, semester fees etc. must be revoked in all research institutions.

5. National-exam qualified students are not willing to join in most of our Universities to do research. Develop research infrastructure in the Universities and increase the scope of research for more number of students(problems of libraries, laboratories, instruments and all related issues).

6. Government funding and infrastructure for research (including research in Basic Sciences, medical, Agriculture, Engineering and Arts) must be increased.

7. The government must take lifelong medication responsibility for researchers working in nuclear, chemicaland other hazardous fields. 


8. The government must ensure the scope of continuation of researchand worthy employment after PhD and post-doctoral studies for Research scholars.

9.Researchers coming after their post-doctoral studies are struggling to get faculty (or scientist) positions. The process of faculty recruitment must be transparent in all the institutes and Universities. Must appoint faculties in all the vacant positions.

10. Effective measures must be taken to prevent all kinds of corruption. Misuse and wastage of funds, facilitiesmust be stopped. 


11. Privatization and commercialization of research sector and research outputs must be immediately stopped andproper measures must be taken to make this sector free from the hands of private gainers.

He has also requested all those concerned to join him. "I request every body around this place to come and join with me full time or for few hours on this Saturday and Sunday to show our capability to the government," he concluded..