I started working on ribosomes when I was a post doc, in 1978, when it would have been impossible, really, to solve it. But, it was just a fundamental problem in biology. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan biologydocfundamental Change image and share on social
My childhood and adolescence were filled with visiting scientists from both India and abroad, many of whom would stay with us. A life of science struck me as being both interesting and particularly international in its character. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan abroadadolescencecharacter share on social
Unusually for an Indian man of his generation, my father, being aware of my mother's intellectual abilities, encouraged her to go abroad by herself to obtain a Ph.D. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan abilityabroadaware Change image and share on social
Governments and scientists in India need to ensure that politics and religious ideology do not intrude into science. They belong to separate spheres, and if they are not kept separate, it is science in India and the country as a whole that will suffer. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan belongcountryensure share on social
I was born in 1952 in Chidambaram, an ancient temple town in Tamil Nadu best known for its temple of Nataraja, the lord of dance. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan ancientbearchidambaram Change image and share on social
My mother, R. Rajalakshmi, taught at Annamalai University in Chidambaram, and during the day, I was well cared for by aunts and grandparents in the usual way of an extended Indian family. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan annamalaiauntcare Change image and share on social
We benefit tremendously from the E.U. Britain does very well in getting back E.U. money for the amount it puts in. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan amountbackbenefit Change image and share on social
The Royal Society view is completely apolitical: it will judge anything based on the evidence. One of the big strengths of the Society is that is it widely perceived as impartial and above the fray. We'd like to make sure it stays that way. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan apoliticalbasebig share on social
I think we are intrinsically prone to being irrational and superstitious. A lot of it comes from our fear of the unknown and the fear of a lack of control over our fate. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan controlfatefear Change image and share on social
I realise I have inadvertently become a source of inspiration and hope for people in India simply by the fact that I grew up there, went to my local university, but could go on to do well internationally. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan factgrowhope share on social
