FICCI - DEBATE

A National level debate competition was held at Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), New Delhi on 17th April 2013. Twenty colleges including IIT-Delhi, Delhi Technological University, Amity University, JamiaMiliaIslamia, Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon, Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida, IIMT, Rukmini Devi Institute of Advanced studies, Skyline Institute of Engineering and Technology, Noida Institute of Engineering & Technology etc. participated in the event The topic of the debate was “CAN INDIA BECOME AN INNOVATION POWERHOUSE”. The program was organized by FICCI under the aegis of Intellectual Property Office and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

Two students, Mr. Harshit Pundhir and Sayani Chakraborty from Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida were selected to represent the Institute after screening via qualifying rounds held at the College. Prof TPN Singh, Advisor (R&D) attended the event along with the students at FICCI House. The event was conducted by the IPR division of FICCI.

The jury panel comprised of :

1. Ms. Sheetal Chopra – Head IPR, FICCI

2. Dr. V. Rekha – Controller of Patent and Design, GOI

3. Dr. Manju Pathak – Professor, Amity University of Bio-Technology and inventor

4. Mr. R. K. Gupta - Advisor (CSIR) and Head (IPMD),GO

5. Mr. Hitesh Barot – Senior Vice President (IPR), General Electric

6. Dr. Kavita Taunk – Head IPR Division, Min of Commerce

Mr. Deepak Arora anchored and conducted the program. While inaugurating the program Ms. Sheetal Chopra dwelt upon the importance of innovation leading to entrepreneurial excellence. She said that the student community the world over are the harbingers of new researches providing scientific and technological breakthroughs resulting in making the planet a wondrous place for existence. There are countless examples of young minds deviating from the trodden path and discovering/inventing novelties of gargantuan proportions. Encomiums were heaped on Indians who with their singular purpose achieved the impossible like Vinod Dham (inventor of the Pentium chip), Sabeer Bhatia (founder of Hotmail), Sam Pitroda (Telecom wizard and inventor par excel lance), Vinod Khosla (co-founder of Sun Micro systems), Bombay Dabba walas etc. The last decade has seen immense contributions from students in areas of innovative research and findings. Out of box thinking is the order of the day and the present youth are lucky to be the bastions of society. One should always remember that innovative ideas drive global competitiveness.