On author, research and publication : A critical look

Dr Longjam Krishnamangol
Contd from previous issue
However, it is generally accepted that after the Ph.D. degree has been awarded to a candidate and also after the candidate has been  released from the University as per rules, the responsibility of the views contained or given in the thesis and the publication of the thesis in book form or publication of the book based on the thesis is that of the candidate or the scholar and not of the research guide or research supervisor. That is why, the research guide or the research supervisor has certified in the thesis or for the thesis that the thesis is the original work of the "scholar". However, there is room that any publication of the thesis in book form can be modified and revised and enlarged later with the availability of latest data/information and also according to the changing situation and policies. Also, the scanty data/information can be drawn freely with due acknowledgement . And, the data need to be reliable in using for the thesis with proper source and acknowledgement. Again, it must not be forgotten that the ethics and ideology of any country or state (in the case of India including Manipur) need not be forgotten in our journey of research and development. This is emphasised by professor Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate in Economics in his book "On Ethics and Economics " (oxford). The above observation is true in the case of India and also in Manipur (taking Manipur as a state of India).
Again, it may also be pointed out that there should be academic freedom in research under the University and the Indian system of publications within the democratic framework and as per Indian constitution. And, there should not be any pressure group in banning a book or in banning a Ph.D. thesis unless it is blasphemy. And the state need not take side with any pressure group as it affects the interest of academic community and others. Indeed, we should have to follow the art of appreciation of the hard work done by others and the participative or participatory goodwill and contribution or role of the people towards engineering the society for promoting democracy in Manipur. In fact in democracy there should be healthy relationship among the government, public and academic community. In a sense, there should be quid pro quo relationship between the public, academic and the government in order to promote social and economic engineering of the state and the nation. In fact, it is likely that state presence by making a discouraging say on the research and publication may not be able to build up a good moral atmosphere or moral society as it will discourage the entire academic community and the public, and those who belong to the profession of teaching, research and writing. In fact, as already stated any book can be revised with healthy suggestions from the public or from any circle or individual in order to keep the standard of the book. In the case of history, there are different theories, which establish and corroborate the history or civilisation of a state or country. And the history without basis and evidence is not history. It is also said that the day-today talking without basis event and evidence is not history. That is why, it is said that if counting is over, history is over. This should not carry a wrong meaning.
(To be contd)