- India aims to establish itself as a global leader in technology and innovation by 2022, developing the most advanced products and services at the forefront of quality.
- India seeks to maximize technology's potential to profitably solve problems at the grassroots level and benefit the masses through inclusive, need-based solutions.
- India aspires to produce and attract the world's best researchers by establishing world-class R&D infrastructure and facilities across fields, retaining top scientific talent.
1. N a t i o n a l v i s i o n D o c u m e n t
Inspired by Prof. C K Prahal
2. Technology and Innovation
◊ Indian products and services are at the forefront of innovation and quality
◊ India utilizes technology to profitably solve problems at the grassroots level and benefit the masses
◊ India produces and attracts the world’s best researchers through its world class R&D infrastructure
◊ India fulfils its energy requirements, predominantly through clean energy sources
20 The Boston Consulting Group - Confederation of Indian Industry - Young Indians
3. Indian products and services are at the forefront of
innovation and quality
By the year 2022, people would like to see India establish
itself as a global technology leader developing the most
advanced products and services. India should be at the
forefront of inventing new and better technologies rather
than replicating the technology of other countries.
Innovation has clearly emerged as a priority with the clear
recognition that in a fast changing world, societies which
can innovate will see sustained economic growth.
Imagine Indian products and services setting the
highest performance and quality benchmarks
consistently thus becoming the clear choice for
customers globally. Visualize our companies investing
in path-breaking technologies and being globally
recognized as innovative brands.
Exhibit 3. Number of patents filed and
granted in India are growing, but
most are in favour of foreigners
Source: Intellectual property training institute and patent
information system - Annual Report (2006-07)
Voices of India
“Science & technology should offer
solutions to the problems of the country”
“Technology for rural masses & better com-
munication”
“Technology to be affordable to masses”
“Science & technology can be used by all
sec-tions of society”
The technology of the future has to be environmentally
sustainable. Eco-friendly technologies can help reduce
the negative impact of our products and services on the
environment. To enable wide-spread access to
technology for the smallest entrepreneurs, our R&D
processes should be made more cost effective. We
have many success stories of low cost innovation in our
country and we should capitalize on this advantage.
India utilizes technology to profitably solve
problems at the grassroots level and benefit the
masses
India has a large population living in diverse conditions.
This presents a unique set of problems which must be
tackled individually. Not surprisingly, technology is seen
as critical to improving the quality of life of Indians. We
need to maximize technology’s potential to solve
problems at the grassroots level, and use it as a tool for
enabling far-reaching changes. Adopting better
technology will, for example, enable farmers to improve
their productivity manifold using high quality seeds and
fertilizers.
Current technology projects which aim to solve local
problems have had limited success. This is due to their
inability to solve the actual problem, attempting
solutions which may not succeed under field conditions.
We also lack effective technology transfer practices.
India should possess a grassroots-driven, inclusive
approach for developing need-based technology to
India@75 – The Peoples
‚
agenda
21
4. Voices of India
“India should be home to global innova-
tions”
“Invention of technologies rather than adap-
tation”
“World leader in innovation”
“India should file more patents”
“Preserving and patenting innovative ideas“
provide solutions to local issues. People need to be
involved at all stages of the development process, and
efficient systems for knowledge management, testing and
technology transfer should be set up. Our large population
is an attractive market for such solutions and businesses
must view this as an exciting opportunity to generate
wealth. Technology can help government as well as
industry to contribute towards public welfare.
India produces and attracts the world’s best
researchers through its world class R&D
infrastructure
By 2022, people of this country would like to boast of
scientists and researchers who continually win the
highest accolades, and are globally recognized and
respected for the quality of their work. We aspire for an
India where all scientists have access to the most
advanced facilities to carry out path breaking research.
India should house several institutes with world-class
infrastructure facilities at all levels across various fields.
Scientific research in India will mean working in the best
laboratories equipped with the latest equipment and
financial benefits. Working under such conditions would
make research an exciting career option. This would help
India retain its brightest minds and become a hub for the
world’s best science and technology personnel. Moreover,
the opportunity to work in an encouraging environment
alongside the world’s leading thinkers would help us
attract renowned scientists from across the world.
Modern research facilities in India are currently available
only in a select few laboratories and institutes, while most
higher education institutes are not equipped with adequate
facilities to conduct research. It’s not surprising that the
ratio of scientists to total population is low in India as
compared to other countries. In 2006, India had 8
scientists per 1000 population as compared to 181 for
Voices of India
“Promotion of research and development
through better pay to scientists and PhD
hold-ers in research sector”
“World class research and development fa-
cilities”
“World leader in technology”
“Increase in Govt. spending for research
cen-ters as % of G.D.P.”
“To have more number of technical institu-
tions like IITs, Medical Institutions to propel
technological scientific research”
Canada, 139 for Russia and 21 for the United States.
Steps to enhance the attractiveness of science as a
career (through world-class facilities, adequate
recognition and financial benefits) will help revive our
ancient tradition of scientific excellence.
India fulfils its energy requirements,
predominantly through clean energy sources
By 2022, our country will be self-sufficient in meeting its
energy requirements. Ensuring that we meet the energy
needs of our people and industries will lead to accelerated
development. At the same time, it is equally important that
development happens in harmony with the environment.
Increased energy generation using green sources and
appliances which consume less energy will help us reduce
our energy deficit.
Various parts of the country possess natural resources
like sunlight, wind and tides in abundance. By fully
utilising these resources, India can ensure an assured
energy supply for each individual.
22 The Boston
Consulting Group - Confederation of Indian Industry - Young
Indians
5. Exhibit 4. We are currently using less than one-sixth of our potential renewable
energy resources
Source: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Power, Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 428, dated 03.03.2008
It should become common to see windmills, solar
cells, biogas plants and other cleaner energy
generation techniques being used across the
nation. Apart from being the leader in using
renewable energy, India should also develop
breakthroughs such as fusion reactors in nuclear
physics to help meet the energy requirements of
this country.
Voices of India
“At least 60% of our energy consumption
should rely on renewable sources of
energy”
“Use of renewable resources like - rain
har-vesting, sea waves, low high tides,
bio fuels, solar energy, wind energy”
“Development of Sustainable
Technology” “Promoting energy
efficiency”
“Nuclear Reactor which works on fusion
process and is able to store energy”
India@75 – The Peoples
‚
agenda