1ST DR. APJ ABDUL KALAM MEMORIAL LECTURE

Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) organized 1st Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture and Session on Technology Trends and Future Research Directions for Indiaon 10 August 2016 at Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi. Prof. TPN Singh, Advisor (R&D) alongwith three students namely Adarsh Nair, Arshnoor Tandon of ME and Sachin Verma of ECE, Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida attended the event.

Ms. Shobana Kamineni, President CII and executive chairman, Apollo Enterprises (P) Ltd. rendered the welcome address. The entire country and world at large has been overwhelmed by the huge and significant contribution of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He was universally known as the Rocket Scientist of India. Humility and empathy was the embodiment of his persona. His quotes were remembered like:

1. Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us.
2. All birds find shelter during rain. But eagles avoid rain by flying above the clouds.
3. If you want to shine like a sun, first burn likes a sun.

Dr. Kalam’s knowledge of music and classical dance was amazing. He gave maximum attention for laying foundation of Research and Science for business prosperity and graciously accepted the chairmanship of CII to develop Science and Technology. Technology for Agriculture and Rural Sciences were given paramount importance. He promoted large number of joint ventures in R&D areas with global players. CII established the first Nano Technology cell as centre of excellence with Gujarat during his tenure.

Dr. APJM Nazima Marakayar, grandniece of Dr. Kalam and Managing Trustee of Kalam International Foundation addressed the audience. She thanked the Almighty for togetherness shared with Dr. Kalam. Technologies in various dimensions were worked upon by him and Strategic scientific measures in Medicine, bio-technology, material sciences etc. promoted vigorously. She thanked CII for paying tributes to Dr. Kalam.

Panel discussion took place on Technology Trends and Future Research Directions for India. The panelists were:

1. Prof. Pankaj Chandra, Chairman, Board of Management, Ahmedabad University
2. Dr. T Ramasami, Former Secretary, DST, GoI
3. Ms. Shobana Kamineni, President Designate CII and Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.
4. Dr. S Guruprasad, Outstanding Scientist & CC R&D (PC & SI), (DRDO)
5. Mr. Kiran Karnik, Former president, NASSCOM
6. Mr. Salil Singhal, Chairman & Managing Director, PI Industries Ltd.  

Dr. Chidambaram stated that innovation led growth is no longer the prerogative of high income countries. Sustainable development requires Collaborative innovation.

Mr. Karnik emphasized on health care and technology. H said that expenditure on R&D is very dismal in our country. It is not even 1% of the budget where as in other countries it is 4 to 5%. He stated that innovation flourishes in diversity and for India it is a big dividend.

Dr. Guru Prasad paid homage to Dr. Kalam and said that he created leaders out of ordinary people at DRDO. He quoted Dr. Richard Feynman, Nobel Prize winner in physics, “There is plenty of room in the bottom referring to atoms and molecules”.

Mr. Pankaj Chandra said that a “Knowledge Economy” is what India should be. It needs both a technology superstructure and foundation of high education and basic research. India needs an excellent Research, Development and Innovation eco-system. A strong academia - industry interaction and a deep commitment to rural technology delivery is the requirement. India should be ready to be the producer of new advanced technologies.  

The panel discussion ended at 03:00 pm. Vote of Thanks was rendered by Ms. Shobana Kamineni.