Geek Nation: How Indian Science is Taking Over the World

(Paperback)

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India: it's a nation of geeks, swots and nerds. Almost one in five of all medical and dental staff in the UK is of Indian origin, and one in six employed scientists with science or engineering doctorates in the US is Asian. By the turn of the millennium, there were even claims that a third of all engineers in Silicon Valley were of Indian origin, with Indians running 750 of its tech companies.

At the dawn of this scientific revolution, Geek Nation is a journey to meet the inventors, engineers and young scientists helping to give birth to the world's next scientific superpower - a nation built not on conquest, oil or minerals, but on the scientific ingenuity of its people. Angela Saini explains how ancient science is giving way to new, and how the technology of the wealthy are passing on to the poor. Delving inside the psyche of India's science-hungry citizens, she explores the reason why the government of the most religious country on earth has put its faith in science and technology.

Through witty first-hand reportage and penetrative analysis, Geek Nation explains what this means for the rest of the world, and how a spiritual nation squares its soul with hard rationality. Full of curious, colourful characters and gripping stories, it describes India through its people - a nation of geeks.

Reviews

This is an engaging and eye-opening exploration of a subject that traditionally we rely on cliches to understand, providing a much more informed and effective understanding of the progress of Indian technology. Recommended. - Popular Science

With engaging first-hand accounts she explores gleaming technology hubs, visits space centres and labs researching GM crops...you do get a vivid impression of a nation emerging as a scientific contender. - BBC Focus

'Those who want to understand how India is shaping up as a scientific superpower will find it a worthwhile and engaging read'. - New Scientist

Many entertaining and informative stories. - Sunday Times

GEEK NATION's emphasis on personalities and places provides an engaging introduction for those who want deeper understanding than facts and figures alone can provide. - New Scientist

'Saini has a genuine talent for describing science'. - Sunday Times Culture

'Saini's vivid portrait of hi-tech India reveals a country in a hurry'. - FT Weekend

'Eye-opening, warmhearted and cliche-free, her book gives Indians' minds the respect so often and so easily given to their spirit'. - Wanderlust

Author Bio

Born in the UK in 1980, Angela Saini is a science journalist and reports for the BBC, New Scientist, Wired and the Economist. She was named European Young Science Writer of the Year in 2009, and in 2008 won a European television news award.