VP calls for genuine research, warns against mere indigenisation

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Calling for authentic and practical research that is able to change the ground reality, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday said that indigenisation has no point when it is confined to nuts and bolts. Stressing the spirit to innovate and to engage in research, he said it must be inflamed in students in schools and colleges. The Vice President was speaking at the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) R&D Award ceremony here that was attended by Governor of Karnataka Thaawarchand Gehlot, and BEL CMD Manoj Jain among others.

“From a 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 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,” Dhankar said. Authentic research should alone be recognised as research, he said the one who overlooks research must have stringent standards. “The exemplification has to be if it is recognised at a global level, a research paper that has momentary importance of being presented and then goes on the shelf and gathers dust is something we must keep away from.

While your track record is extremely impressive. But when the whole nation is in an expectant mood, it expects more. We cannot rest our laurels on our past achievements,” he added. Underlining the significance of research and technology in achieving the status of a developed nation, the Vice President said that when it comes to the country’s contribution by way of patents, we are contributing not in consequential fields. “Our presence is minuscule.” “We are one-sixth of humanity. Our genius allows us a wider participation. And for that, everyone who is in the managerial seat, the 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 in this,” he said.