Lighting the SPARK?

In January, the heads of India’s top scientific administrative bodies in a report to the Prime Minister proposed the setting up of an independent science and technology (S&T) authority tentatively called “SPARK” (Sustainable Progress through Application of Research and Knowledge). A report in the Hindu stated that the proposed body lays out “a broad map on how India ought to position itself among the top three countries in science and technology by 2030, and ensure that 10% of the top 100 leaders in the scientific field are Indians.” This is apparently achievable, because of the existence of “global goodwill.”

It is difficult to ascertain how the concept of sustainable progress is to be reconciled with the quantification of 10% of the top scientists as Indian. One cannot fathom the yardstick that would be used to calculate this target. Does it mean that 10% of the Nobel Prizes should be won by Indians (one recipient, every two years)? Do we estimate the number of internationalS&T scholars applying to Indian institutions of science, including our universities, for fellowships and guidance inS&T research?