A well-written article by Mukund Sharma (Curr. Sci., 2002, 82, 913-917) emphasizes the fading of the field of palaeontology in India. Though it is in the hands of policy-makers to take a firm decision concerning rejuvenation of palaeontolgy in India, palaeontologists have to unite to present a correct perspective of this science before the general public and get a positive response from the decision-makers. A few points which have either not been emphasized or not adequately dealt with in the article need to be addressed. Palaeontotogy is suffering, first because of the traditional approach of the palaeontologists, especially in the era of multidisciplinary sciences, and secondly because of lack of awareness among people about its potential role in society and nation-building. For example, it is not known to the lay people that petroleum, is nothing but a fossil fuel. Despite new scientific developments and technologies that have added precision in exploration process, palaeontology continues to be in demand. Moreover, the objectives of social relevance - 'save the animals' and 'save the forests' - cannot be realized unless the society is made aware of origin, evolution, significance and consequences of possible extinction of certain genera and species.
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