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Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
It's not enough to overtake another country in GDP rankings. The challenge is to lead in ideas and innovation
India is projected to surpass Japan in nominal GDP as the fourth-largest economy. That is more than just a statistical feat. It is a moment of national pride, but also one of introspection. How do we transform this economic milestone into a sustainable, equitable future? The answer, as history and evidence suggest, lies not just in markets or manpower, but in mastering science. Historically, nations that led the world economically were also those that led in scientific endeavour. The United States' supremacy in the 20th century wasn't only due to capitalism, but its deep investments in basic and applied science — from the transistor and GPS to the Human Genome Project. China's rapid ascent has been propelled by high-tech ambitions, state-driven R&D, and long-term science planning. Sustainable leadership comes not from momentary success but from robust systems rooted in innovation and openness. India's growth so far has been powered by services, IT exports, and consumption. These have delivered gains, but do not constitute the deep, durable foundation that a science-driven economy offers. Episodic success in space or pharma isn't enough. We must build an ecosystem where success becomes systemic, not sporadic. That shift begins with public policy. India currently invests around 0.7 per cent of GDP in R&D — far below the levels of South Korea, Israel, or China. The newly established Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) could be a turning point — if backed by sustained funding, transparent governance, and the right priorities. Basic research, though less visible in the short run, yields far-reaching and longer-lasting economic dividends than applied research. It seeds future technologies, spills across sectors, and fuels cross-border knowledge flows. Second, science must be embedded in education. Beyond IITs and IISc, we need regional universities to become innovation anchors — collaborating with local industries and solving real-world problems. These institutions remain India's most underleveraged resource for scientific decentralisation. This calls for reform: Autonomy in governance, creative pedagogy, and faculty evaluation metrics that reward mentorship, problem-solving, and community engagement. Third, India must develop a confident and future-oriented scientific vision. Economic strength alone does not define national stature. It must be accompanied by purpose, planning, and pride in original thinking. Our innovation goals must be tied to our unique needs: Clean water, energy security, equitable healthcare, and sustainable agriculture. These challenges are not constraints — they are opportunities to lead in frugal, inclusive innovation. Fourth, we must upgrade our industrial strategy. In 2022, high-tech sectors accounted for less than 10 per cent of Indian manufacturing, compared to 30 per cent in South Korea. To rise further, India must foster world-class innovation by building domestic technology clusters — integrating labs, startups, manufacturers, and training institutes, and enabling them with shared infrastructure, IP support, and financing. Fifth, our research evaluation system must evolve. Patents and citations matter, but they cannot be the sole metrics. We must also assess real-world utility, interdisciplinary reach, and long-term societal impact. Scientific culture must reward risk-taking, embrace failure, and support collaboration across domains and institutions. Innovation is rarely linear — it thrives on detours. Sixth, we must address population dynamics in a scientific and sensitive manner. Though India's GDP will eventually surpass Japan's, our per capita income remains significantly lower. A stable population base is essential for translating economic growth into individual prosperity. India's total fertility rate is declining, but unevenly across states. A voluntary, rights-based approach — focusing on education for girls, reproductive health services, and awareness of economic opportunities — can help create a more balanced and empowered demographic landscape. Finally, science must be seen not just as an engine of economic growth, but as a cornerstone of democratic vitality. A society that values curiosity, evidence, and experimentation is better equipped to solve problems, question authority, and nurture a shared sense of purpose. We must build a culture where science is aspirational, inclusive, and woven into everyday life — from classrooms to boardrooms to village labs. India today stands at a crucial juncture: A rising economic power, but still finding its voice as a scientific leader. To move forward, we must make science not just a policy priority but a national ethos. It is not enough to overtake another country in GDP rankings. The true challenge is to lead in ideas, discovery, and innovation. That requires making science the backbone of India's growth story — not just for today's headlines, but for tomorrow's generations. The author is former Director, Agharkar Research Institute, and Visiting Professor, IIT Bombay. Views are personal
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Tech is the key to prepare the workforce for dignified jobs: Ajay Kela, CEO, Wadhwani Foundation
Founded in 2001, Wadhwani Foundation is the brainchild of Romesh Wadhwani, a billionaire entrepreneur, technologist, and philanthropist, known for building successful tech companies in the US. Ajay was formerly the managing director of Symphony Services, a software services company, and has also worked with Autodesk, where he scaled their AutoCAD business. He was also a research scientist at GE working on Computer Aided Design (CAD) products and has published research papers in reputed journals. Ajay is a graduate in mechanical engineering from IIT Bombay and holds a PhD in mechanical engineering and computational geometry from the University of Rochester. Ajay spoke to on the roadmap for energising the entrepreneur ecosystem in India, the necessity to keep the focus on 'dignified job' creation, and on working with academic institutions to make their research relevant to a larger social cause. Edited excerpts: Venkatesh Kannaiah: Can you tell us about Wadhwani Foundation's goals and how tech-centric solutions play a role? Ajay Kela: Our founder, Romesh Wadhwani, is a tech pioneer and has been working on AI since long. He was the founder of robotics companies as early as the 1970s, and was making robots and competing with Japanese robotics manufacturers. Now he is also an investor in enterprise AI companies. So tech is in our DNA. We all come from a tech background. Our goal at the foundation is to provide 'dignified family wage jobs' for five million people by 2030, and upskill 25 million people with new age job-ready skills by 2030. We understand that tech is the key to scale and we have invested in the ecosystem for a long time. We work on the axes of entrepreneurship, skilling, innovation, research, and working with governments for digital transformation of their services. We work with the entrepreneur ecosystem in India and abroad by supporting startups, teaching entrepreneurship, and working with various academic institutions working on the theme of entrepreneurship. On skilling, we have now built AI tools to enhance skill-based training. We support research in emerging tech to help resolve real-world problems. We network with researchers, students, institutions as well as entrepreneurs to drive the development of impactful solutions. The research in academic institutions typically ends up as research papers and it goes no further. We want to translate relevant research into products and startups for the social good. Finally, we also work with government and policymakers to sensitise them on the evolving tech ecosystems, helping them to make informed decisions for the public good. Venkatesh Kannaiah: Tell us about the Wadhwani Innovation Network and its initiatives. Ajay Kela: We are now working with Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to accelerate the transformation of India's research ecosystem. ANRF is a government body formed to provide high-level strategic directions for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in India. The partnership between Wadhwani Innovation Network and ANRF is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between a government research institution and a philanthropic foundation. Through this, we want to co-fund and scale up research to drive visible social impact. We are co-funding this initiative to the tune of USD 150 million. The Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) centres at top research institutions will drive research commercialisation and partner with ANRF for jointly funding late-stage projects. It will also focus on supporting research that can be translated into products and ventures in sectors like AI, biosciences, health tech, and space tech. These will be done through grants, government support, venture investment, and corporate partnerships. We will invest in these research efforts across the country and connect them through superhubs and hubs of specialisation at top universities. We will have a superhub for AI and Intelligent Systems at IIT Kanpur and one for biotechnology at IIT Bombay. We have also announced support for 10 hubs at premier institutes, 100 innovation centres, and co-funding of projects through ANRF and AICTE's Innovation centres. Venkatesh Kannaiah: As part of your entrepreneurship initiative, can you name some interesting startups/innovations that you mentored? Ajay Kela: There are many successful companies that have been mentored by us through our entrepreneur development initiatives. We have supported more than 7000 startups in their journey, and have trained more than two lakh students with entrepreneurship skills. There is Practo, India's leading online app for booking appointments and consulting doctors. It also has a comprehensive medical directory with detailed, verified information about more than one lakh doctors across the country. This was part of our early cohort in the National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN). There is Mukunda Foods, which began with the aim of selling dosas but later pivoted and decided to focus on automation of Indian food products. They decided to start designing their first product, Dosamatic, which is an automated dosa making machine. This too was part of NEN. Venkatesh Kannaiah: As part of your innovation and research, what areas do you focus on from an impact perspective? Ajay Kela: We think that two technologies are going to dominate the future. One of them is AI, and the other is synthetic biology. For that we are working with two super hubs. For AI, we are working with IIT Kanpur and for biosciences, we are working with IIT Bombay. We are working on a hub and spoke model and are working with 10 directly funded institutes on a variety of areas, ranging from quantum computing and health to medtech. Venkatesh Kannaiah: Tell us about interesting innovations that have come out of your research or research support efforts. Ajay Kela: One of the areas that we work in is with the Wadhwani Research Centre for Bio Engineering, founded in 2014 by IIT Bombay and Wadhwani Foundation. It was set up to leverage IIT Bombay's expertise in bioengineering to incentivise innovation in diagnostics, therapeutics, MedTech, and synthetic biology. Three interesting startups come to mind. There is Algorithmic Biologics, which is bringing the power of algorithms to biotechnology-based industries. Their work will have far reaching applications in molecular testing for diagnostics and research. It is into what is called smarter molecular testing and, with the use of AI, has made image-based diagnostics affordable. Then there is Immunoact, which works on innovative, affordable, and accessible cell and gene therapies. Their cell therapies are personalised for each patient and are specifically designed to limit their side effects and make them safer. There is Clarity Bio Systems, a pioneer in delivering advanced solutions in diagnostics, bioprocess development, and genome-scale metabolic modelling. Venkatesh Kannaiah: How are you using AI tools in your skilling initiatives? Ajay Kela: We have built Genie AI, an AI-powered personalised education platform, and we are working with academia, industry, and the government to scale the same. Our focus is on training workers on new-age job skills for a period of 6-12 months or 1000 hours of training, which would help them in their job search journey. And for this, we have built a knowledge dissemination layer with interactive video content. Based on user feedback and knowledge levels, it would morph into a personalisation tool and provide answers based on the knowledge levels of the users. We have also built an AI layer with 24/7 AI agents working as counsellors, and helping the course takers with information and queries. And on top of it is the human layer, with volunteers and paid experts who would with the help of matching algorithms help users and enable live sessions to help job seekers. Venkatesh Kannaiah: Can you tell us about areas where your interventions have led to better delivery of government services? Ajay Kela: We work with the government in a variety of ways. We have helped the government in recruiting AI experts, and they are now working in the departments of agriculture, labour, women and child development and education. There they are working with the government to build an AI roadmap for the particular departments and also identify projects which can be carried forward. We are now working with the government in building citizen services platforms. For instance, we are working on a farmer service platform, where farmers would know about all the schemes started by the government for them, interact with the platform and benefit from the same. We have programmes where we bring state and central government officials at the joint secretary level, and sensitise them to themes and issues in AI. We also hold five-day workshops where we help select government officials to work on AI-related projects identified by them. We also incubate these projects for a period of three to six months and later work with them to scale it up. One of the interesting projects was our courses in iGot, an online learning platform for Indian civil servants. We have a dozen courses on this platform, and around four lakh government employees have taken these courses. Venkatesh Kannaiah: Tell us about the international footprint of the Wadhwani Foundation and the work that you do. Ajay Kela: Apart from India, we are in 12 other countries. These are all countries in the global south, emerging economies, and where there is a growing youth population. We are working in countries like Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria
Coin Geek
06-05-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
India's ANRF plans deeptech program for startups, MSMEs
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... India's Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the apex body for scientific research in the country, is planning to introduce an initiative titled the 'Small Business Deep Tech Innovation' program. Inspired by global best practices, this program is specifically designed to assist startups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in advancing their technologies for practical, real-world applications. By providing support for scaling innovative solutions, ANRF aims to foster a robust ecosystem that drives technological growth in the entrepreneurial sector. In addition, the ANRF will introduce a transformative 'Cloud of Research and Innovation Infrastructure' designed to optimize the use of the nation's research infrastructure, the Ministry said in a statement. This cloud platform will offer deep-tech startups and academic institutions access to underutilized scientific equipment from various research facilities nationwide, enabling them to leverage high-end resources without the need for substantial upfront investment. Another major initiative under the Foundation's banner is its 'AI-for-Science' program, which seeks to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to model complex scientific equations in fields like physics, chemistry, and biology. This initiative represents a significant leap forward in integrating AI into core scientific research, with the potential to drastically reduce the time required to transition from theoretical discoveries to practical, real-world applications. By accelerating this process, the AI-for-Science initiative aims to expedite breakthroughs in fundamental scientific domains, creating a ripple effect of innovation across industries. The ANRF was set up to drive and nurture research and development (R&D) across India, promoting a culture of innovation within universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories. As the country's apex body for scientific research, ANRF aims to provide strategic direction in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) recommendations. With its establishment, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), which was formed by an Act of Parliament in 2008, will now be integrated into ANRF. In its new role, ANRF will facilitate collaborations between industry, academia, government departments, and research institutions. It will create a dynamic platform that encourages participation from industries and state governments, alongside scientific and line ministries. This integrated approach will help streamline efforts and foster a more collaborative, multi-stakeholder environment for advancing India's research and innovation ecosystem. India is actively fostering collaboration across various sectors, driving advancements that span a wide range of industries. From pioneering ocean mining technologies led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to the establishment of bio-manufacturing hubs by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the country is prioritizing innovative solutions with the potential for far-reaching impact. In addition, India is advancing the development of state-of-the-art semiconductor chips and AI technologies in collaboration with leading semiconductor laboratories. This integrated approach aims to create synergies that not only enhance technological progress but also ensure scalability and long-term sustainability across diverse fields. By aligning these initiatives, India is positioning itself as a global leader in research and innovation, committed to producing solutions that are both cutting-edge and commercially viable. 'Commercially sustainable ecosystem' In a joint review meeting of all Science Ministries, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, emphasized the importance of positioning the newly established ANRF as a key organization for all science ministries and government departments. This is expected to transform India's scientific research and innovation landscape into a collaborative and commercially sustainable ecosystem. Singh also announced that the ANRF is envisioned to lead and facilitate expanded collaborations with private sector stakeholders. At the heart of this transformation lies the goal of creating a unified research strategy that dismantles silos, eliminates duplication, and generates real, scalable benefits for society. 'All the science ministries must work with the intent to deliver market-relevant, public-good products,' Singh said in the statement. Additionally, he emphasized that the ANRF will function as a coordinating body and play a pivotal role as a catalyst, driving private sector investment and fostering innovation. In the review meeting, India's space programme featured prominently. From the recent success of the SPADEX satellite docking to the development of reusable engine technology and advanced space exploration missions, the Department of Space reported rapid strides, including preparations for India's human spaceflight mission by 2040. Singh emphasized the significance of projects that deliver clear public benefits, highlighting the CSIR's HANSA-NG aircraft, the Department of Atomic Energy's Bharat Small Modular Reactors, and space-based applications as exemplary models of innovation. The HANSA-NG, an indigenously developed two-seater trainer aircraft by CSIR-NAL, has already garnered strong market interest, with 110 orders and plans for production in collaboration with Pioneer Clean Arms Pvt Ltd., the statement informed. Singh pointed out the project's potential to reduce India's reliance on costly foreign pilot training and proposed involving private airlines and aerospace component manufacturers to ramp up production beyond Bengaluru in southern India. In a similar vein, the Department of Atomic Energy is working on the Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), a 200-megawatt (MW) pressurized water reactor designed for industrial use and grid-independent power generation. These projects are prime examples of the kind of innovation that Singh envisions ANRF to foster—initiatives that can be scaled up and replicated to benefit society and drive technological progress. 'The time for working in silos is over. We must institutionalise collaboration and deliver solutions that matter,' Singh said, signalling a new era for India's science ecosystem, one where policy, private investment, and research institutions converge under the stewardship of ANRF. Watch: India posed to become leaders in Web3 title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
Hans India
05-05-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Jitendra Singh urges ANRF to help medical colleges boost clinical innovation
New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday chaired a comprehensive review of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). He urged the newly constituted Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), to help medical colleges boost clinical innovation in the country. 'Explore the possibility of helping medical colleges establish their own medical research parks -- a move that could boost clinical innovation and local biotech entrepreneurship,' Singh asked the ANRF. The Minister reviewed ANRF's plan to create a 'cloud of research and innovation infrastructure,' a digital platform that would offer deep-tech startups and academic institutions access to underused scientific equipment and facilities across the country. This move is expected to democratise research capabilities, especially for smaller players who often lack access to high-end lab tools. The Minister also called for bold new directions in science-driven growth, including AI-led innovations, focussing on ANRF's 'AI-for-Science'. The programme aims to leverage artificial intelligence to accelerate discoveries in physics, chemistry, and biology by using machine learning to model complex scientific equations. Singh also revisited the concept of 'deep science-to-deep tech acceleration,' urging the ANRF to focus on converting academic research -- such as publications and patents -- into commercial technologies. He emphasised the need for partnerships with top-tier industry players and the creation of venture-builder models to ensure that discoveries don't remain confined to laboratories. 'Prioritise key areas of national relevance, including climate forecasting, material science, aerospace, biochemistry, and drug development,' Singh asked the ANRF. 'The time has come for India to move from isolated innovation to a more integrated, impact-driven ecosystem that links research, startups, and industry,' he added. The Minister further underscored the importance of building an indigenous 'India AI Open Stack' -- a foundational AI architecture embedded with science and engineering models tailored for Indian researchers. This, he noted, could position India as a global frontrunner in AI-driven scientific applications.
Hans India
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
ANRF selects 7 projects to drive innovation in India's EV ecosystem
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) on Monday announced the selection of seven e-nodes (high-impact projects) for support under its 'Mission for Advancement of High-impact Areas on Electric Vehicles' (MAHA-EV). The seven e-Nodes are selected under the ANRF's MAHA-EV mission are: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay; International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials Hyderabad; National Institute of Technology Surathkal; Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur; Indian Institute of Technology-BHU; CSIR- Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute, Pilani; and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, respectively. The current programme, launched under the umbrella of ANRF's national mission, aims to address the critical challenges and drive innovation in India's electric vehicle ecosystem. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, ANRF MAHA-EV call for proposal focused on three strategically defined Technological Verticals (TV) are Tropical EV Battery and Battery Cells (TV-I), Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD)- (TV-II) and EV Charging Infrastructure (TV-III). Each selected electric mobility nodes (e-nodes) will execute the project in consortia mode involving academic institutions/R&D laboratories with the mandatory industry participation, in order to contribute to and establish R&D in the EV sector of the country. The call noticed wide enthusiasm among all stakeholders and 227 proposals were received in consortia mode from academic institutions, R&D laboratories and the industrial section. Among the selected e-Nodes, two will focus on Tropical EV batteries and Cell technologies (TV-I), three will work on power electronics machines and drives (TV-II) and the remaining two e-Nodes will focus on charging infrastructure, according to the ministry. The MAHA-EV Mission leads to catalyse India's leadership in next-generation electric mobility solutions, aligned with the goals of sustainability, innovation, and self-reliance. Meanwhile, ANRF is set to launch a 'Small Business Deep Tech Innovation' programme inspired by global best practices, aimed at supporting startups and MSMEs in scaling technologies for real-world application. In a bid to maximise national research infrastructure, ANRF will also roll out a 'Cloud of Research and Innovation Infrastructure' to allow deep-tech startups and institutions to access underused equipment across the country. The foundation's 'AI-for-Science' initiative is another key highlight, focusing on using AI to model scientific equations in physics, chemistry, and biology — a leap expected to drastically shorten the time from theory to practice in core scientific domains.
