How Indian science is taking over
By Suneetha

A Master’s in Engineering Science from Oxford, a career in Science journalism in Europe with names like BBC and also a number of awards. Now a debut book ‘Geek Nation: How Indian science is taking over the world’ which is a product of almost a year through India’s geek corridors. Angela Saini’s successful book tour of India ended this month, and she is now back home in London.

Techgoss (TG): Tell us about yourself first, the odyssey from Angela the qualified techie to Angela the science journo to Angela the author, who and what were the inspirations? Why did you choose NOT to join the Geek bandwagon but go on to be a member of the fourth-estate?
Angela Saini (AS): I did plan on becoming an engineer when I was at university, but I started doing my student journalism and loved it so much that I wanted to see if I could give a shot as a career. It worked! I truly believe I have the best job in the world. And I'm still a geek on the inside.

TG: Non-fiction books are becoming the toast in the new publishing scene in India, how did you choose a publisher for a book of this genre?
AS: I didn't pick the publisher; so much as they picked me! My agent, Peter Tallack at The Science Factory, sent the proposal out among the major houses and Hachette came back with the best offer. They were simply so enthusiastic about the idea that I couldn't say no.

TG: The book has already been released in the U.K. in March 2011; tell us about the response so far? Which genre of audience has been the most receptive? Can you quote a memorable response? Any interesting feedback from geeks?
AS: I've been thrilled by the response so far. I've had lots of coverage on TV, radio and in the press. The nicest part has been hearing from people who never usually read science books, who tell me that Geek Nation was such a good read, they couldn't resist! I have tried to write compelling stories that transcend any one genre.

TG: Is it being released in any other part of the world other than India? What are your plans for it?
AS: It has been released worldwide. I've already had lovely messages from readers in South Africa, Canada, Germany and Singapore. There is also a Chinese translation planned.

TG: What is your expectation of the Indian audience with reference to your book? There has not been many notable books of the genre yet,   except perhaps Dinesh Sharma's "The Long Revolution: The Birth and Growth of India's IT Industry”; and your subject is not IT alone but 'Geeks' which have a larger definition. What part do you think the IT industry plays in the Geek definition for India?
AS: On the book tour, which ended last week, almost every event was packed out and I had lots of wonderful questions from people from all walks of life. The IT industry is only a tiny part of India's scientific landscape so, you're right, this is a much broader book.  I hope not too many people feel offended if the ideas in Geek Nation don't chime with their own, but the book is very honest, based purely on reportage and interviews.

TG: In your opinion are the terms Girl and Geek synonyms? I ask this with special reference to the Girl Geek Dinners of London, and you stay in London.
AS: When I was a kid, calling someone a geek was almost insulting. But of course today we see people like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg as cultural icons. We even have the phenomenon of “geek chic”. So the definition of the term “geek” has shifted from something a little negative to something positive. To me, it's a combination of intelligence and passion. I have been described as a girl geek and that's a description I'm very happy with.

TG: You have an interesting blog with an intriguing title, how prominently does the blog figure in your activities? How much of it is the real you?
AS: Sadly, my blog often takes a back seat to my day job, but it is a hundred per cent Angela Saini. 

TG: What are your views on the future of the Indian Geek?
AS: There are shoots of innovation all over India. One example in my book is that of Open Source Drug Discovery – a revolutionary project to collect research into tuberculosis from small-scale researchers across India, pool it on an open-access website, and use this to come up with a possible cure for the disease. If ideas like this work, and if investment into education and research continues to rise, then I think the outlook is good. India may make it as a science superpower.

TG: What next? A new book?
AS: I do plan to write another book, but I haven't settled on an idea yet.

Angela’s book Geek Nation: How Indian science is taking over the world  was released all over India in April 2011. She is now back in London at work as the journo that she is in her normal avatar, after a hectic book tour covering major Indian cities. Her blog has an intriguing title, Nothing Shocks Me I am a Scientist, the name of which comes from the film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Check out her blog at this link