The Great R&D Debate

“There is hardly any worthwhile research from our IITs” says Jairam Ramesh. True. R&D in an academic context, means developing a new capability that has not been done elsewhere or being among the first few to demonstrate it.

Look at MIT, Princeton, Cornell, and Caltec etc. people say. They want the IITs to be in that league. This is indeed a truly laudable ambition. Is this realistic? Does India have the capital, resources and infrastructure they have? Is India wishing a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget?

Here is a reality Check.

India is playing catch up even in commercial areas by importing “Packaged Technology” for Mobile phones, Automobiles, Internet connectivity and even FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods). Even the Tata Nano, an excellent engineering feat in its own right, has an imported engine design. Indians are conservative lot, risk averse and afraid to fail. Besides it is easier and faster time to money to buy working solutions rather than develop indigenously. The upside, India doesn’t have a “Not Invented Here” attitude.

Look at the once ubiquitous coin box. It was a magnificent and Herculean effort that brought phone connectivity to the remotest parts of India. What about a follow on to this? Technology changed, mobile phones appeared. Even the poorest of the poor have Mobile phones. India did not progress fast enough. Despite its phenomenal success, this telecommunication effort appears to be a “one trick pony”.

There are outstanding examples in Defense and Aero-Space. However, most of these accomplishments are replication of what has already been accomplished by US and Russia. The first moon probes were launched successfully in 1966. Russia was first with the US four months behind. India caught up with Chandrayaan I achieving what was accomplished over forty years before. At least here India is catching up.

The notable exception is Atomic Energy. India in some areas is at the forefront of nuclear technology. And yet Nuclear Power Plants are being imported. India’s first Test Fast Breeder Reactor which is based on a French Design at Kalpakam, Tamil Nadu attained criticality (i.e. success) in 1985. The follow on commercial prototype is yet to go into production more than 20 years later. India does not move fast enough.

Look at China! They are replicating what Japan did. Copy and sell cheaper. They have even copied the ubiquitous three wheeler auto rickshaw that plies Indian streets and roads. Why is India lagging in this arena?

Yes R&D is important, there is no argument. But the IITs and for that matter India needs to be prudent and place bets intelligently. Go for small successes and build upon them. Given the circumstances this is a long and arduous road that has to be taken.

This hue and cry about lack of research at IIT is an indication of a herd with Science and Technology blinders, wanting to vie with the Joneses with hollow drums that only make a lot of noise.

This may be heresy, in the short run; it is more efficient to facilitate the best minds going to where the research is being undertaken rather than waiting for research to come to the best minds. This is a fact, this is happening. People can moan, groan and lament. This is reality. Let it not be fought. India has more excellent minds than opportunity. Let these minds flourish elsewhere rather than rot in India. Indians have migrated to the West and the world has benefited by their efforts. This is working for India. India’s investment is in human resources and in developing great minds. It has paid rich dividends and has worked so far.

Trade and commerce is freer in this interconnected world where past walls have crumbled. The West has technology to sell; India should be in a position to buy. As long as India is in a position to buy, it can afford to be in this position.

The take away here is that India should continue to acquire technology and pursue import substitution. At the same time aggressively produce goods and services that the West will want to buy. To date the biggest successful export from India is Human Resources; both Brain and Brawn. Somewhere in the distant future, the laudable goal of being abreast in R&D with the world will become a reality.

Prescription for IIT:

India has a lot of catching up to do and it has to be done at an accelerated pace. India also needs to be active in new emerging areas to be in the lead. The IITs can play an important role in both these endevours by:

• Leveraging significant scientific discoveries that are proven in the lab
• Determine its relevance to Indian environment and needs
• Evaluate the feasibility of developing the technology to make the discovery commercially viable or meet a specific purpose.
• Acquire the licensing if applicable and build upon it.
•  License the outcome to generate a revenue stream

Becoming a resource to Industry is another area of importance. Graduating students and alumni are the best resources to establish links with industry. Programs should be launched to make it attractive for industry to engage with IIT on joint projects. Faculty should be encouraged to spend a portion of their time in industry and be allowed to retain part of the earnings resulting from their personal engagement.

Jai Hind!