Better innovation for the military: Modi to DRDO

In an extempore address on his first visit to the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi threw up four out-of-the-box suggestions to rejuvenate the functioning of India's best-funded technology research organisation.

Lauding DRDO's successes, Modi linked its technologists to the sages of ancient India, who isolated themselves from the world to produce intellectual masterpieces.

Urging close contact between those who develop weapons and those who use these, the PM suggested DRDO consult closely with soldiers, sailors and airmen, who would provide innovative and practical ideas to pursue.

MODI’S OUT-OF-THE-BOX SUGGESTIONS

• Go basic, not only high-tech; consult with soldiers
• Five DRDO labs manned by scientists under 35
• Have a systemto interact directly with soldiers
• DRDO scientists to work with universities and scientific labs

"Are our scientists getting the opportunity to interface with Army personnel? Has the jawan ever seen who has laboured in a laboratory for 15 years? When this happens, it will be very good," said Modi.

Accepting the need for high-tech equipment, the PM asked DRDO to focus on a soldier's personal kit. For example, a water bottle that weighed, say, 300 gm, could be brought down to 150 gm; the soldier could be give nlighter boots to reduce fatigue.

The PM next suggested the DRDO empower its younger scientists by manning five of its 52 laboratories with scientists who were all under 35 years of age. "We need labs in India which utilise raw talent, which employ people only below the age of 35. Let us allow these young scientists full decision-making power," he said.

Talking later to Business Standard, DRDO chief, Avinash Chander confirmed he would implement this idea. Already some DRDO laboratories, especially those dealing with 21st century subjects like cyber security, electronic warfare and underwater systems, are manned almost entirely by scientists under 35, he said.

Speaking before the PM, Chander had identified the rising age profile of DRDO as an urgent problem, which could be addressed by recruiting 300 young scientists every year.

Modi's third idea addressed a key DRDO bugbear: Endemic time overruns in developing equipment. The PM suggested that, rather than developing weaponry already in service with advanced militaries, DRDO should focus on equipment still on global drawing boards, and beat other countries in developing these.

"Our biggest challenge is to complete our work before time. If the world will finish something in 2020, can we do it by 2018?" Modi asked.

Interestingly, the PM noted project delays stemmed from an easy-going national attitude, rather than any shortage of ability or resources. "I think there is this chalta hai (lackadaisical) attitude."

Finally, Modi suggested DRDO scientists be seconded to select universities and academic institutions, where they could direct and mentor student research. He noted that award winning DRDO scientists would be an inspiration to research scholars.

The PM was attending the DRDO's annual awards ceremony. Speaking earlier, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said, "India's peculiar geographical location cannot be altered. We are located in a disturbed neighbourhood. National security is our topmost priority and, for that, technology is important."