Self Sufficiency: key to indigenous technologies

Dr G Satheesh Reddy addressing on National Technology Day

When India successfully tested its indigenous nuclear bomb in Pokhran on May 11, 1998, India not only demonstrated its technological power to the world but also earned a status for itself. Back then and even now, this achievement is the topic of proud talk among fellow citizens.

National Technology Day is celebrated each year on May 11, to honour the scientists behind such innovations and to spread the importance of science and technology to the masses.

As a part of this celebration, Vigyan Prasar – an autonomous organisation under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Indraprastha Vigyan Bharati, jointly organised a lecture programme on 11th May 2019 at INSA, Auditorium, New Delhi.

Shri Jayant Sahasrabuddhe, National Organizing Secretary, Vijnana Bharati,
Dr Shekhar C. Mande, Director General, CSIR, and Dr Nakul Parashar, Director, Vigyan Prasar addressed the gathering.

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) delivered the lecture on “Emergence of Indigenous Defence Technologies.” He spoke about how DRDO is powering India’s defence forces with indigenous defence technologies. He listed out the missiles, combat aircraft and unmanned surveillance systems which are developed and under development. He proudly showcased DRDO’s self-reliant radar technologies. He emphasised how various laboratories of DRDO across the length and breadth of the country is working on a spectrum of defence needs ranging from food to artilleries.

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, listing out various indigenous defence technologies of DRDO

A short film on Mission Shakti, India’s anti-satellite triggered the curiosity of the audience.

Dr Reddy said that the future battlefield would be network-centric, a country should build self-sufficiency in critical technologies to become future ready.

How to achieve this?

According to Dr G Satheesh Reddy:

  • Focusing research in identified area with academia
  • Encouraging and hand-holding industries in technology development
  • Skill developing and maintaining quality systems

-are ways to achieve self-sufficiency. “Above all, the first product as well as the millionth product should maintain the same quality,” Dr Reddy added.

Written by M R Raghul

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