Author Archives: scpl

10.13.99
by

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON FORCE MULTIPLIER TECHNOLOGIES FOR NAVAL AND LAND WARFARE – DR. A P J ABDUL KALAM



I am delighted to participate in this International Seminar on Force Multiplier technologies for Naval and Land Warfare. The topic of my Theme Talk is “Multi-dimensions of Technology & Partnership”. The presentation will be in four parts. The first part discusses high Technology in India and its core competence. The second part is on India’s aspirations of Self-reliance in the defence system and the linkages between acquisitions and indigenous development. The third part visualizes the growth of technological capabilities in India with multiple partnerships and emerging industry complexes. The fourth part deals with the emerging battlefield and force multiplication with re-engineering business strategy needs.

High Technology in India

During the last three decades, India prioritized some regions of Technology – Space, nuclear, defence, IT, and agriculture. India put remote sensing satellites on its own PSLV and built communication satellites to meet requirements. India’s GSLV for communication satellites will be available in the next year. Similarly, India has acquired the capacity to build nuclear weapons and strategic missiles.

India can produce a series of defence systems, from small arms to certain tactical missiles, armour, electronic warfare systems, sonars, and torpedoes.

Software strength

One of the critical core competencies India has is IT. Several software products have been developed and integrated with weapon systems to enhance performance. Some of the software packages have been exported. Indian software houses exported software products worth 2 billion dollars in 1998-99 and. plan to reach 4 billion dollars in 1999-2000. Today, I want to convey that India has the experience of integrating high-performance software with sensors to enhance performance, compared to some of the state-of-the-art high-cost sensors. We have successfully used such sensors in the PRITHVI missile to achieve international accuracy standards.

Industrial strength and Centers of Excellence

During the last 25 years, our industries have depended highly on technologies from organizations or license production from abroad. Today, by doing specific joint programs, they have reached a stage of design, development, and production of various systems and have acquired technology absorption capability. Several Indian industries have received the ISO 9000 certification, and their products meet international standards. DRDO alone has started many design centres in the country. Similarly, we have world-class labs that can design and build microprocessors, devices, supercomputers, launch vehicles, and missiles. We have also established high-technology facilities with silicon and gallium arsenide foundries and software parks. Our technological strengths are our internationally known academic institutions, societies, and national collaboration ventures in robotics and artificial intelligence, electro-optics, and biomedical Technology.

Self-reliance in defence systems

Self-reliance is an essential tool for India with all-around technology denial regimes. Aircraft can be sold to India, but not the aircraft design and Technology, such as flight control systems. Now, tanks are available in India, whereas critical armour, design, materials, and fire control systems technologies are unavailable. Some countries can sell EW of vintage Technology, denying super components and mil-grade subsystems. Hence, the development has taken place with indigenous Technology. Technology restricted is Technology gained. We live in a strange world. Therefore, India has decided to focus on the self-reliance mission, aiming for 70% indigenous systems by 2005. In this mission, partnerships for development and production are possible.

Technology Profile & Industrial Complex

Due to Technology growth in multiple mission-oriented R&D institutions and industrial partners, India has rapidly progressed from armour development to reentry technology and electronic warfare systems. This can be further enhanced with an intensive partnership with industries and international collaborations through joint ventures.

The Defence Industry complex will emerge with integrated establishments of Defence R&D, defence production, and Indian Industry with a consortium approach to developing core competence and critical and strategic infrastructure. The defence industry complex will need better performance, quality, cost-effectiveness, and reduced cycle time. DRDO has opened eight laboratories to transfer Technology to Industry in multiple areas to provide a competitive edge to the Industry.

Emerging battlefield scene

The future warfare environment will be technologically intensive. In the coming decade, weapon effectiveness will decide military strength in time. The candidates governing the high technology warfare will be the missile systems, UAV, EW and IT, and the precision delivery systems. The Force Multiplication is based on the platform and existing and future sensors, radars, sonars, and seekers. A suitable mix of these will provide force multiplication. For example, it is possible to have UAVs with electro-optic sensors IR, sensors and synthetic aperture radar for their primary reconnaissance role. But UAVs can also be combined with EW systems or even deliver a specific payload type.

Re-engineering and Business strategy

A developing country has a mission to become a developed country. The developed country would like to sustain its developed status. Both have a unique, identical need for production and marketing the products. Hence, they must coexist and become development partners through a win-win approach.

India, like any other country, has two major requirements. The defence systems should have affordability & cost-effectiveness coupled with performance. Of course, with the increasing global competition, we witness many business houses merging, collaborations coming in and strategic business alliances taking place. India’s strength of technology base, cost-effectiveness, and partnership with certain countries will mutually enhance business opportunities. The central theme we would like to focus on today is the technology collaborations between Indian establishments and partner countries through co-development and joint ventures.

Concluding Remarks

Science and Technology is indeed a great gift to humanity. The technological partnership is essential for the nations’ mutual economic prosperity. Scientists, technologists, and industrialists from various countries must join to combat technology denial regimes.

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Source: Press Release
Date: October 13, 1999

07.02.99
by

INDIAN STATISTICAL INSTITUTE —A TRADITION (Prof. S.B. Rao)


Research in the theory and applications of statistics as a new scientific discipline began in India in the early twenties through the pioneering initiative and efforts of the late Professor P.C. Mahalanobis, who has rightly been described as a great visionary. He picked up a small group of young scientists for the Department of Physics, Presidency College, Calcutta, where he taught. This group formed the laboratory’s nucleus, later known as the Statistical Laboratory.

In the early thirties, realizing the necessity for a concerted effort for the advancement of theoretical and applied statistics in India, Professor Mahalanobis, together with Professor P.N. Banedee and Professor N.R. Sen, both of Calcutta University, convened a meeting on December 17, 1931, to consider various steps for setting up an association for the advancement of statistics in the country. It was unanimously resolved to set up the Indian Statistical Institute with Sir R.N. Mookeerjee as President and Professor P.C. Mahalanobis as Honorary Secretary.

The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) was registered as a non-government and non-profit distributing learned society on April 28, 1932. The total expenditure in the first year was Rs. 238.00, and the number of workers was only two or three. From such a modest beginning, the Institute grew under the able leadership of Professor Mahalanobis into an all-India organization which is now functioning under the aegis of the Department of Statistics, Ministry of Planning & Programme Implementation, Government of India with 1600 workers, including about 500 scientific personnel and an annual expenditure of about Rs. 42 crores.

The Institute has its headquarters in Calcutta, two other Centres in Delhi and Bangalore, and a branch at Giridih in Bihar. Also, it has a network of service units of Statistical Quality Control(SQC) and Operations Research (OR) Division at Baroda, Mumbai, Pune, Coimbatore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Calcutta, Delhi, and Bangalore. Evolution From the beginning, Prof. Mahalanobis and his associates worked zealously and enthusiastically to develop statistical theory and methods and promote research and practical applications in different natural and social sciences areas. Sankhya -the Indian Journal of Statistics and the official organ of the Institute, started publishing in 1933 under the editorship of Prof. P.C.

Mahalanobis is still considered a prestigious and internationally acclaimed journal in statistics. With a history of about 70 years of meaningful work as a centre of excellence, 1SI is regarded as one of the world’s leading organizations for promoting statistics as a critical technology for all scientific endeavours. The objects of the Institute include the study and dissemination of knowledge of statistics, research and development of statistical theories and methods for their use in various fields of natural and social sciences, as well as collection and analysis of information, investigations, undertaking projects and operational research for planning and improvement of efficiency of management and productions.

The enactment of the “Indian Statistical Institute Act 1959” (the bill was piloted by the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru) by Parliament recognized it as an Institute of National Importance. It empowered ISI to confer degrees and diplomas in Statistics. Thus, the Bachelor of Statistics (Hons), Master of Statistics, and post-graduate Diploma in Computer Science courses started in 1960. The Institute was also empowered to award Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees from the same year. Later, courses leading to a Master of Technology degree were started in Computer Science and Quality, Reliability and Operations Research, which received formal recognition from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). In honour of the excellent research work done by the scientists of the Institute in several areas related to statistics, section 4 of the Indian Statistical Institute Act of 1959 was amended by Parliament in September 1995 to empower the Institute to award degrees and diplomas not only in statistics but also in mathematics, quantitative economics, computer science and other such subjects related to statistics as may be determined by the Institute from time to time. Subsequently, a Master of Science programme in Quantitative Economics was also introduced.

Contributions

The role and importance of the ISI in conducting and promoting the teaching of statistics have been appreciated by international bodies as well. In 1950, the ISI, jointly with the International Statistical Institute, set up the International Statistical Education Centre under the auspices of UNESCO and the Government of India to impart training in Theoretical and Applied Statistics to participants from countries of the Middle East, South and South-East Asia, the Far East and Commonwealth countries of Africa.

The fundamental contributions made by 1SI include, among others, Mahalanobis Distance, Sample Surveys, Multivariate Analysis, Design of Experiments, and Inference. The Institute was pivotal in establishing the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) and Central and State Statistical Bureaus and creating an international understanding for disseminating knowledge of quality, statistics, and applications. Its recent significant contributions include small-area statistics, environmental statistics, and Bayesian Analysis.

The ISI also played a pioneering role in starting the Statistical Quality Control (SQC) movement in India by organizing a visit by Professor W.A. Shewhart, the father of SQC, to India in 1948 and later by inviting other experts like Prof W.E. Deming, Dr. J.M. Juran, Prof. L.H.C. Tippet, Prof. E.R. Ott and Prof G. Taguchi for the same purpose. SQC promotional work was gradually extended to all the industrial centres in India under a comprehensive programme covering education and training, applied research, and consultancy services. Over the years, the SQC and OR Divisions have grown to the size of having ten operating units all over the country and have served in promoting, educating, training, and technical guidance in Total Quality Management Methodology and Quality Assurance Systems for the benefit of the Indian manufacturing and service industry over the decades and continuing its quality service to the industry. Since its inception, the Institute has recognized the need to develop and use accurate and fast computing equipment for the processing and analysis of data.

In 1953, a small analogue computer was designed and built in the Institute. In 1956, the Institute acquired an HEC-2M machine from the U.K., the first digital computer in India. From 1956 until the mid-sixties, the Institute was the country’s de facto national computer centre. In the early sixties, the Institute, in collaboration with Jadavpur University, undertook the design, ‘ development, and fabrication of a fully transistorized digital computer called ISIJU-1, commissioned in 1966.

The Institute has maintained its tradition of high-quality research and development in computer science. Keeping pace with the global advances in computer technology, the activities of the Institute in the field of computer science gathered tremendous momentum in the late seventies, resulting in the diversification of research in different areas. In recognition of its contributions to computer science, the Government of India, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, established one of the five national Nodal Centres for Knowledge-Based Computing Systems at the ISI in 1988. Also, a new division emphasizes research in the theory and application of computer science, pattern recognition, image processing, artificial intelligence, machine intelligence, computer vision, natural language processing, documentation analysis, and remote sensing. The ISI is nationally and internationally recognized as a centre of excellence for its contribution to theoretical statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science, and other interdisciplinary research areas in natural and social sciences and their applications in related areas. With the new millennium approaching, the ISI is ready to accept the new challenges ahead -(PIB)

Source: Press Release
PIB
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Date: July 02, 1999

09.28.97
by

NATION PROUD OF DRDO’S ACHIEVEMENTS: PM


The Prime Minister, Shri I K Gujral, has complimented the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for its achievements towards realizing the goal of self-reliance in defence. Inaugurating the three-day biennial conference of DRDO Directors here today, he said the country is proud of DRDO, whose scientists, known and unnamed, have built the foundation of our defence. He said it has made us feel safer, secure, and self-reliant.

Emphasizing the critical need for self-reliance, especially in defence, the Prime Minister recalled that history had taught us that whenever we had lost, it was not because of a lack of courage but a lack of technology. He pointed out that since the 1962 war, DRDO has come a long way, beginning with manufacturing uniforms and simple weapons.

Shri Gujral said that science and technology are the crucial areas of the future. In various sizes, technology has been denied to us, he said. However, he added that our scientists have faced those challenges and developed the products indigenously. Reiterating that self-reliance is central to our foreign policy, he further pointed out that arms and technology from abroad could never make any nation proud.

The Prime Minister said that research and development is fast changing, and it is necessary to keep pace with it. He said that when the country celebrates the 50th year of Independence, the nation is confident that the legacy of our freedom fighters who overthrew the colonial regime is being taken further by our scientists through achieving self-reliance. In his address, the Defence Minister, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav, stressed that while there could be a resource crunch in the country, it would be our responsibility to find resources for meeting the top priorities like the defence needs. Shri Yadav complimented the jawans for discharging their duties under the most trying conditions,

The Defence Minister noted that some powers in the world may not be happy about our progress. During his recent visit abroad, he complimented the Prime Minister for clarifying that India cannot be cowed down. He said the scientists have met significant challenges in making the country self-reliant. He pointed out that while India was denied the supercomputer in the eighties, our scientists have now developed a far better Super Computer at a lesser cost indigenously. He said there is no lack of talent in the country, and the scientists have contributed to defence and the other sectors.

Addressing the meeting, the Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, said the conference’s objective would be to strengthen the partnership between DRDO, defence production, and the user agencies further. It would also discuss the changing threat perceptions and technology transfer issues. He pointed out that DRDO, with its 52 laboratories nationwide, has had to combat the technology-restrictive regime and made a significant breakthrough in several critical areas like microprocessor chips and indigenous electronics development. He said DRDO’s efforts’ production value was Rs.1500 crore last year.

Briefing the meeting about some of the achievements of DRDO, he said the ‘PRITHVI’ missile for the army is under production. ‘TRISHUL’, ‘NAG’ and ‘AKASH’ missiles are expected to be ready by next year. He informed the meeting that the first flight of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is likely in the next few months. The Prime Minister and Dr. Abdul Kalam complimented the retiring Chief of the Army, Gen Shankar Roychowdhury, for his encouragement of the efforts of DRDO. The Prime Minister also presented a memento to the Army Chief.

The Prime Minister also gave away several awards on this occasion. Scientist of the Year award for 1995 and 1996 was presented to 20 scientists. They are Dr M Vidyasagar, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics; Shri R C Chakraborty, Image Processing; Dr K K Srivastava, Life Sciences; Dr K K Srivastava, Electromagnetics; Shri P G Shrotri, Armaments; Shri M B Singh, Management, Dr. 0 P Ni Jhawan, instrumentation; Shri I N Sitaram, Electronics; Shri Sharad Mahadev Wele, Engineering; Dr A R Reddy, Basic Sciences; Shri Ajoy Ranan, Flight Sciences; Dr K Neelakantan, Computer Sciences; Shri P K Biswas, Engineering; Dr A Venugopal Reddy, Metallurgy; Dr R C Malhotra, Basic Sciences; Dr Ram Kurnar, Management; Dr V P Singh, Training and Information, Shri S K Ray, Missile; Shri MR Joshi, Engineering; and Shri V S Sethi, Armament.

The Prime Minister also presented the DRDO Laboratory Awards for 1996. The Silicon Trophy was given to the Armament Research Development Establishment, Pune, and the Titanium Trophy to the Field Research Laboratory, Leh. The 1995, 1996, and 1997 Technology Transfer and Assimilation Awards were also presented.

The Minister of State for Defence, Shri N V N Senu, presented two publications. The Prime Minister witnessed an impressive display of DRDO products at the Army Parade Ground. These included the Main Battle Tank ‘ARJUN’, Surface-to-Surface Missle System ‘PRITHVI, Pilotless Target Aircraft, Remotely Piloted Vehicle ‘NlSHANT’ and the Multi barrel Rocket System, ‘PINAKA’.

PIB (DEFENCE WING)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Date: September 28, 1997

01.20.97
by

MARCONI INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP AWARD PRESENTED


Shri K.R. Narayanan, Vice president of India, presented the Marconi International Fellowship Award to Dr. David Forney Jr. of Motorola today. The award carries a cash prize of $1,00,000 and has been awarded to Dr. Forney for his work in communication theory. The $15,000 Marconi Young Scientist Award was presented to Shri Girish S. Deodhar of the Centre of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for his outstanding work in control systems for light combat aircraft.

The Archafla Young Scientist Award, instituted this year, was given to Shri. A.V.S.S Prasad for his outstanding contribution to the design of very large-scale integration devices and parallel computing design. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Narayanan said that while we embark upon the applications of communication and information technology, we should not lose sight of knowledge and wisdom in reporting to make valuable information to society and humanity. He lamented that media is overcrowded with violence, terror, smut, falsehoods, half-truths, misinformation, and propaganda.

“Most of the apparatus of communication does not seem to know what message to convey to humanity”, he said. Pointing out that the installed base of working telephones in India is just 10 to 12 million, and telephone density is less than one for every 100 people, as opposed to the world average of about 10 for every 100 people. Shri Narayan said that community facilities for communication should receive the highest priority. He added that new information technology could help spread education and culture, support health services warning people about impending natural disasters, and efficiently organize relief and assistance.

Source: Press Release
PIB
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Date: January 20, 1997

08.09.94
by

GUJAR MAL MODI SCIENCE FOUNDATION AWARDS ’94’



SHRI SINGH DEO CALLS UPON SCIENTISTS TO PREPARE NATION FOR THE FUTURE

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Shri K.P. Singh Deo, has called upon the Indian scientists to prepare the nation for the future and find answers to the inherited and new problems. They were speaking at an award presentation ceremony of Gujar. Mal Modi Science Foundation here today, the Minister said that technological advancements in Microelectronics, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, computer networks, and information superhighways are bound to change society beyond imagination.

Shri Singh Deo said planned support for science has been one of the significant characteristics of the Government’s policy since Independence. Various steps were taken to build a chain of national laboratories, centres of research, and advanced technical training and integrate science into the planning process.

Shri Singh Dee complimented the Indian scientists for their achievements and urged the industrial houses to come forward with incentives to provide a fillip to scientific research in our country.

PIB
Date: August 9, 1994

07.28.94
by

WORKSHOP ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONS


The Department of Electronics will conduct a three-day workshop on artificial intelligence applications on June 29. The Workshop is conducted under the auspices of the Knowledge-Based Computer Systems Programme.

The Programme was launched by the Department of Electronics in 1986 with UNDP assistance to gain extensive expertise in this area through research, design, and development to demonstrate KBCS technology-based solutions to major socio-economic problems. This Workshop aims to disseminate information regarding breakthroughs and international scenarios in Artificial Intelligence Applications, particularly in the Financial sector and other practical applications.

Two UK and USA experts have been invited to this Workshop through UNDP. These experts have done considerable work in the area of Artificial Intelligence applications. This Workshop is likely to be attended by many participants from a broader cross-section of computer experts and users, including representatives from financial institutions and the IT industry, both from the private and the public sector.

Source: Press Release
PIB
Date: July 28, 1994