Educationists and scholars of eminence in our country have been lately focusing on research and development as the key to India’s economic progress. The President, Pranab Mukherjee has often said that no Indian university figured among prime 200 universities of the world. This was a very disappointing situation and needed to be reversed. We have a large number of universities, technical and other professional institutes. But by general agreement, our research output is not of quality and standard that it should be. The purpose of research has significantly changed. Our country needs research that will directly influence our production capability and have direct impact on our economy. We want that Science and Technology should enter the homes of every Indian in one way or the other. The fact is that so far we do not find such a massive and far reaching impact taking place.
In Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, we do not have only a scientist and a scholar but also an economist and a planner. He was recently speaking at an ASSOCHAM event and said that the Government should allocate sufficient funds for research and development. He believes that if we are able to maintain GDP growth at 9 per cent till 2020, then our country has fair chances of becoming an economically developed nation. He is confident that a country where 60 per cent of population is below 35 years of age has the fair chance of making enormous input towards scientific and technological advancement. But this can be achieved only if the research and study in numerous institutions in the country is of highest standard.
Dr. Kalam is of opinion that private industry should also contribute its due share in the process of development. What is important is that our manufacturing potential has to develop to maximum capacity. Manufacturing depth needs to be increased from 16 per cent in 2015 to 25 per cent in next five years. Touching upon the defence sector of the country Dr. Abdul Kalam believes that India needs long term defence strategy and as such focus has to be on the defence industry India is one of the foremost buyers of weapons from western developed countries. It means that we are spending enormous funds for military purchases. How long can this country afford to do so? Dr. Kalam is very right in suggesting that we need to bring about radical change in our defence industry so that we are able to manufacture most of our defence requirements indigenously. This can happen only when our defence research sector is equipped with scientifically and technologically advanced manpower. This brings us to the concept of Military Industry Complex. Of course, the idea of MIC is a super-structure that will redefine our indigenous development in a variety of areas pertaining to defence structures. Establishment of MIC envisages not only the industrial development but also creates a number of job opportunities. This will pave way for knowledge workers to participate and contribute in production of high-quality systems. This will change world’s perception towards India from an importer country to an exporting giant. What Dr. Kalam wants to tell the nation is that the time has come when India should stretch its scientific and technological muscles in a way that the nation enters the threshold of advanced countries of the world. Why should India remain only the Asian giant when she has the capacity of leading the world to new heights of cooperation and collaboration that ends up in improving the life of the peoples on the globe? He wants that India should understand and foresee her potential as a leading country in the world.
Dr. Abdul Kalam has always been a source of inspiration for the younger generation of scientists and technocrats of our country. He is known for his vision and reach. He has great hopes from the youth power of this country. By youth power we mean the innovative and creative power. This potential has to be given exposure.
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