The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today called for authentic and practical research that is able to change the ground reality.

Speaking at the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) R&D Award Ceremony in Bengaluru today, he said, “In global perspective, if you look, our patent contribution leaves much to be desired. When it comes to research, the research has to be authentic. The research has to be cutting edge. The research has to be practical. The research must change the ground reality. There is no use having research which goes a little beyond surface sketching. Your research must correlate with the change you seek to bring about.”

“Authentic research should alone be recognized as research. The one who overlooks research must have stringent standards. The exemplification has to be, if it is recognized at global level, a research paper that has momentary importance of being presented and then goes in the shelf & gathers dust is something we must keep away from. While your track record is extremely impressive. But when the whole nation is in expectation mood, it expects more. We cannot rest our laurels on our past achievements.”

Calling upon BEL to lead the semiconductor revolution and handheld startups in the field, the Vice-President stated, “Your organization must now…..lead the semiconductor revolution from design to manufacture. Think about it, brainstorm, scratch your brains. This is the need of the hour. We need to take initiative. Two, establish India's position in global supply chains through friendshoring…Do it. Nurture domestic startups and indigenous component development. Don't look just as words. Identify startups that require hand-holding. There are enough people who seek to venture.”

Underlining the significance of research and technology in achieving the status of a developed nation, Shri Dhankhar stated, “ When it comes to our contribution by way of patents, we are contributing not in consequential fields. Our presence is miniscule. We are one sixth of humanity. Our genius allows us a wider participation. And for that, everyone who is in managerial seat, seat of governance, must take initiative. That is required because we can emerge as an economic powerhouse in the global community only when we subscribe to research and development. The very concept of Atmanirbhar Bharat is rooted on this. Atmanirbharta will come only and only when the world will look at us as a crucible of research and development.”

Talking about indigenisation he said, “ I have had the occasion to see indigenous component and we are increasingly having equipments that have indigenisation. But look at, are we having engines? Are we having the core material? Are we having that which others want to see from us? Or are we confining it to usual aspects? There's no point in being satisfied that we are indigenous when it comes to nuts and bolts. Our aim has to be 100 percent.”

Emphasising on the need to promote the spirit of innovation in schools and colleges itself, Shri Dhankhar said that, “ The nation abounds in talent. Our young boys and girls, they are still not aware of the enlarged basket of opportunities. They engage into long queues for government jobs. Thankfully, national education policy has brought about a big change. Change for the better that we are getting distanced from degrees. We are becoming skill-oriented. But what is now greatly fundamental is the spirit to innovate, the spirit to engage in research. That must be inflamed…in school and colleges.”

Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri Manoj Jain, CMD, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

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JK/RC/SM