Bureaucratic system of administering scientists must change: PM

[Kunal Biswas]

"We have to change our current bureaucratic system of administering scientific and technical departments, particularly if we have to inspire young scientists to participate enthusiastically in the task of building India into a scientific and technological powerhouse", stated Dr Manmohan Singh, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India stressing on the need to attract and retain high quality scientific manpower in Defence R&D. He was speaking after giving away DRDO Awards for the year 2011 to select scientists, industries, distinguished persons from the academia and DRDO labs in a function organized at Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi in the presence of Hon'ble Defence Minister, Shri A K Antony and galaxy of dignitaries. The DRDO awards are given every year to honour individual Scientists/Teams for their outstanding contribution in furthering DRDO's efforts for self-reliance in developing cutting edge defence technologies.


In his address the Hon'ble Prime Minister congratulated the scientists and said "It gives me immense pleasure to be amidst the scientific fraternity of the Defence Research and Development Organization once again to honour distinguished scientists and technologists who have made outstanding contributions to defence research and development. I extend to the awardees my heartiest congratulations. The nation is grateful to you for your dedication and committed service to our national causes. Ever since its establishment in 1958, DRDO has made significant contributions in putting India on the path of achieving self-reliance in critical defence technologies." Raising concern over the current security scenario he said "As we look around us, a net deterioration in the international strategic and security environment becomes so obvious. Political uncertainties in our immediate and extended neighbourhood, civil strife and turmoil in the Middle East, terrorism and threats to cyber security present complex challenges that require both conventional as well as technological responses". Emphasising the need to strengthen the indigenous industries, he stated, "In the longer term, we have to build our domestic defence industry, in the public as well as in the private sectors, to a level where it can compete with global players not only in terms of developing state of the art technologies but also on commercial parameters and customer satisfaction". He concluded his speech by saying "I am very confident DRDO will continue to serve the nation with excellence in year that lies ahead".


Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Secretary, Deptt. Of Defence R & D presented glimpse of DRDO's recent achievements ranging from crowning success of Agni 5 long range ballistic missile within few months of successful launch of Agni 4 to Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Main Battle Tank Arjun MkII, Rocket launcher system Pinaka, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, heavy weight torpedo VARUNASTRA, Submarine Escape Suite and productionisation of DMR steel and Titanium sponge. Reiterating DRDO's commitment to its mandate of providing cutting edge defence technologies of world class standards to serve the operational requirements of the Indian Armed Forces and achieve higher level of self reliance in defence technologies, Dr Saraswat stated "the percentage of indigenous systems through the Acquisition route has significantly increased from the earlier 30% to almost 60%, thanks mainly to DRDO developed weapons & platforms". He underlined the importance of augmenting production capabilities stating, "There are problems related to capacity & capability build up viz. Requirement of Exclusive assembly line for DRDO systems, augmentation & modernisation of existing production infrastructure, induction of trained skilled manpower in DPSUs & OFB – all of which are critical to enable DRDO systems to be produced in required numbers, with requisite quality". "Yet another area of concern is the need for Policy decisions on more JVs with DRDO" Citing example of Brahmos as an outstanding example joint venture which has seen remarkable success, he said "We feel the need for such mechanisms to be evolved for DRDO JVs so that an efficient workable system can be put in place to enable quick returns in technology areas with complementary work share".


Unveiling the future roadmap, he stated, "Our major goals for the year ahead include flight test of Interceptor missile for targets of 5000 km Range class, First flight of Nirbhay- our sub-sonic cruise missile, and First flight of AEW&C system in India with all systems integrated. In the 12th Plan, we will launch a number of major programs which will mark a paradigm change in force preparedness including SRSAM for Tri Services, Pravira- for protection of Critical Infrastructure, Micro-Nano satellites with Launch-on-Demand capability and G-SAT6 based Communication system." Highlighting DRDO's contribution to society through civilian applications of spin-off from technologies developed for armed forces, Dr Saraswat stated, "Under the Technology Transfer program, about 40 MoUs have been signed and business development for another 20 technologies is in the advanced stage of Commercialization. Citing example of bio-digester technology developed for safe disposal of human waste in extreme cold climate of high altitude regions of mighty Himalayas, he said, "The acceptance of DRDO developed bio-digesters for the Railways, in turn has resulted in the Min. of Environment requesting DRDO assistance and the first set of bio digesters was installed in the Dhamra coast, with plans to extend the installation to 2.4 lakh Gram Panchayats in phases"The awards ceremony concluded with vote of thanks from Lt Gen Anoop Malhotra, Chief Controller R&D (RM&I).


This year the Life Time Achievement Award has been conferred on Prof P Rama Rao in recognition of his exceptional contribution to multi-fold array of technology and management initiatives that led to transformation of several institutions seeded by him into frontline centres of excellence. Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun has been awarded Silicon Trophy for the best systems laboratory of DRDO. Titanium Trophy has been awarded to Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysore for developing food packaging technologies for armed forces. Shri A K Chakrabarti of DRDL, Hyderabad, Dr K Sekhar, CC R&D, DRDO HQrs and Dr K Tamilmani of CEMILAC, Bangaluru have been conferred upon the coveted Technology Leadership Award in recognition of their technological contribution and leadership qualities. The Academic Excellence Awards have been given to Prof V G Idichandy of IIT Chennai with his team and Dr P Seetharamian of Andhra University, Chennai. The Technology Absorption Award has been conferred on M/s Graphite India Ltd, Bangaluru and M/s Fluoro Carbon Seals, Chennai, who are the DRDO's Industrial partners.The event was witnessed by Shri V Narayanasamy, Minister of state PMO, Shri Shivshankar Menon, National Security Adviser, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, Chief of Air Staff, Shri Shashi Kant Sharma, Defence Secretary and other luminaries.

Tarmak007 -- A bold blog on Indian defence: Bureaucratic system of administering scientists must change: PM

 

[lcatejas]

Bolne se nahi karne se hota hai ... :cool2:

 

[ani82v]

He is talking as if he is an outsider neutral analyst.

 

[Bangalorean]

Change it then - aren't you the most powerful person in the country?

 

[Singh]

MMS has been saying that administrative needs to change since 2004, what's stopping him from not changing it ?

 

[ani82v]

Change it then - aren't you the most powerful person in the country?

The Madam is not allowing it.

But on the bright side, he opened his mouth.

 

[ant80]

As a current researcher, I have to agree. The research climate, the attitude of people who work with you, must be positive. If they are not, and I've known administrators that are not, and view it as a burden, the research climate will be terrible and work will become bitter.