By G Krishna Kumar
This year’s Nobel prize for various categories will be announced in the next few weeks. Although there is no formal list announced as such, it is highly unlikely that a resident Indian would figure in the list. It is quite astonishing to note that Sir C V Raman was the last resident Indian to win a Nobel prize in the field of science, almost 80 years back. There are debates around lack of transparency in the Nobel prize selection and why Indians have not been recognised in the past. However, the prize has emerged globally as the top award that recognises outstanding achievements in various areas including pure sciences/medicine and economic sciences.
So why non-resident Indians are able to fare far better than resident Indians in terms of technical excellence or innovation? Do we lack the aptitude to innovate or is there a lack of infrastructure that supports innovation?
Do Indians lack the ability to innovate? Certainly not, we have demonstrated capabilities to innovate in areas like music, movies and in the advertising industry. Indians have also exhibited capabilities in innovating at the grassroot level. Examples abound on the innovative methods used in agriculture. The government’s initiative to set-up the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) is certainly worth mentioning. Gujarat’s grassroots innovation and augmentation network supports grassroot-level innovation and boasts of over two dozen innovative products. These products are generated by people to overcome problems for which solutions are either not available or not affordable. Considering that 72 per cent of Indians live in rural hinterland, when can we see some breakthrough, yet affordable innovation that can be replicated across the country and can result in improved productivity in agriculture?
While converting an innovative idea to a meaningful product, patenting/ IPR protection play an important role. However, there is certainly a lack of awareness on these areas. State or central government’s intervention in improving the awareness is strongly needed.
According to the Global Innovation Index ranking 2012, India is placed at the 64th position among 141 countries. India fares last among the BRIC countries. However, India is ranked 2nd in terms of Innovation Efficiency Index that basically indicates that India fares well considering the prevalent infrastructure and support system.
It is well-known that science, technology and innovation plays a pivotal role in creating a modern society. The Planning Commission’s 12th five-year plan emphasises the need for innovation in all the sectors. Formation of the national innovation council and the national innovation foundation at the Centre and associated State representation is certainly a step in the right direction. However, for India to move ahead of frugal innovation we need a rational thinking society to be created and education would play a critical role. This journey could take decades, but a support system needs to be built that can push India to be a world leader in pure sciences/technology or any other specialisation.
There is an urgent need for a sustainable, ‘activity-based’ model that fosters scientific temper/rational thinking amongst elementary school students (Classes 1 to 8). There are several examples of excellent initiatives to spur creativity among children. The Agasthya foundation, an NGO aimed at children and teachers in rural India, has embarked on an innovative hands-on science programme. Sikshana, another NGO focuses improving learning levels in rural and semi-urban government schools. Recently, the Vadodara Innovation Council, which is part of the National Innovation Council, launched the ‘Tod, Fod, Jod’ programme aimed at experiment-based learning.
While such initiatives have to be applauded, a recent NUEPA report on elementary education in India suggests that basic infrastructure in schools needs significant improvement. Eighty per cent of elementary schools are run by the government and these schools account for 70 per cent of the students. Only 28 per cent of the primary schools have electricity connection and less than 17 per cent of the schools have computers.
It is imperative that the government should focus on improving the intellectual infrastructure across the schooling system in terms of broadband connectivity, library, and, most of all, qualified and knowledgeable faculty. Teachers play a key role in triggering curiosity and guiding students. Hence special focus on enhancing the skills of teachers on ICT usage is required. In addition, a platform for sharing the best practices among the teachers within/across states is desirable.
The large premier institutes, which host best-in-class students and faculty in the field of science and technology, have failed miserably in addressing the innovation needs of the country. There is a need for a system that encourages accountability towards innovation output.
The number of doctorates in science and technology is far lower than other emerging economies. A recent report states that the US and China produce at least 8-9 times more doctorates annually compared to India. Many reasons can be attributed to this — lack of an environment that fosters active partnerships between industry and colleges/universities, industry grants for research, non-availability of research labs in universities and industry, and meagre financial assistance for doctoral students.
The government plans to bring out the Innovative Universities Bill 2012 in order to stimulate innovation in universities, encourage path-breaking research and make India a global knowledge hub. The Bill proposes the formation of 14 world-class national innovation universities across the country. However, it remains to be seen how this Bill will get implemented. Karnataka State’s Innovative Universities Bill 2011 has identified Mysore and Karnataka University to pilot the new system which provides greater autonomy.
In order to encourage innovation among engineering students, the Karnataka Knowledge Commission (KKC) plans to identify some of the most innovative academic projects undertaken, mentor the students and potentially provide incubation for the students to convert innovative ideas to products.
NGOs, formed by few passionate individuals and government’s innovation councils have piloted diverse innovation initiatives catering to students at different levels. However, for succeeding in the attempt to improve India’s overall innovation capability, the National Innovation Council should drive the initiatives at a pan-India level. Clear accountability and a performance-driven system must be developed. The biggest challenge in the current system is that the existence of innovation councils is tied to the government in power and this can decelerate the momentum. Can the councils be insulated from government changes?
India has attractive demographics in a young and vibrant population. However, the innovation potential needs to be harnessed efficiently for India to become a knowledge superpower.
G Krishna Kumar is vice president of Symphony Teleca, Bangalore.
E-mail: krishna.kumar@symphonyteleca.com
Published: 01st October 2012 12:00 AM Indian Express
This year’s Nobel prize for various categories will be announced in the next few weeks. Although there is no formal list announced as such, it is highly unlikely that a resident Indian would figure in the list. It is quite astonishing to note that Sir C V Raman was the last resident Indian to win a Nobel prize in the field of science, almost 80 years back. There are debates around lack of transparency in the Nobel prize selection and why Indians have not been recognised in the past. However, the prize has emerged globally as the top award that recognises outstanding achievements in various areas including pure sciences/medicine and economic sciences.
So why non-resident Indians are able to fare far better than resident Indians in terms of technical excellence or innovation? Do we lack the aptitude to innovate or is there a lack of infrastructure that supports innovation?
Do Indians lack the ability to innovate? Certainly not, we have demonstrated capabilities to innovate in areas like music, movies and in the advertising industry. Indians have also exhibited capabilities in innovating at the grassroot level. Examples abound on the innovative methods used in agriculture. The government’s initiative to set-up the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) is certainly worth mentioning. Gujarat’s grassroots innovation and augmentation network supports grassroot-level innovation and boasts of over two dozen innovative products. These products are generated by people to overcome problems for which solutions are either not available or not affordable. Considering that 72 per cent of Indians live in rural hinterland, when can we see some breakthrough, yet affordable innovation that can be replicated across the country and can result in improved productivity in agriculture?
While converting an innovative idea to a meaningful product, patenting/ IPR protection play an important role. However, there is certainly a lack of awareness on these areas. State or central government’s intervention in improving the awareness is strongly needed.
According to the Global Innovation Index ranking 2012, India is placed at the 64th position among 141 countries. India fares last among the BRIC countries. However, India is ranked 2nd in terms of Innovation Efficiency Index that basically indicates that India fares well considering the prevalent infrastructure and support system.
It is well-known that science, technology and innovation plays a pivotal role in creating a modern society. The Planning Commission’s 12th five-year plan emphasises the need for innovation in all the sectors. Formation of the national innovation council and the national innovation foundation at the Centre and associated State representation is certainly a step in the right direction. However, for India to move ahead of frugal innovation we need a rational thinking society to be created and education would play a critical role. This journey could take decades, but a support system needs to be built that can push India to be a world leader in pure sciences/technology or any other specialisation.
There is an urgent need for a sustainable, ‘activity-based’ model that fosters scientific temper/rational thinking amongst elementary school students (Classes 1 to 8). There are several examples of excellent initiatives to spur creativity among children. The Agasthya foundation, an NGO aimed at children and teachers in rural India, has embarked on an innovative hands-on science programme. Sikshana, another NGO focuses improving learning levels in rural and semi-urban government schools. Recently, the Vadodara Innovation Council, which is part of the National Innovation Council, launched the ‘Tod, Fod, Jod’ programme aimed at experiment-based learning.
While such initiatives have to be applauded, a recent NUEPA report on elementary education in India suggests that basic infrastructure in schools needs significant improvement. Eighty per cent of elementary schools are run by the government and these schools account for 70 per cent of the students. Only 28 per cent of the primary schools have electricity connection and less than 17 per cent of the schools have computers.
It is imperative that the government should focus on improving the intellectual infrastructure across the schooling system in terms of broadband connectivity, library, and, most of all, qualified and knowledgeable faculty. Teachers play a key role in triggering curiosity and guiding students. Hence special focus on enhancing the skills of teachers on ICT usage is required. In addition, a platform for sharing the best practices among the teachers within/across states is desirable.
The large premier institutes, which host best-in-class students and faculty in the field of science and technology, have failed miserably in addressing the innovation needs of the country. There is a need for a system that encourages accountability towards innovation output.
The number of doctorates in science and technology is far lower than other emerging economies. A recent report states that the US and China produce at least 8-9 times more doctorates annually compared to India. Many reasons can be attributed to this — lack of an environment that fosters active partnerships between industry and colleges/universities, industry grants for research, non-availability of research labs in universities and industry, and meagre financial assistance for doctoral students.
The government plans to bring out the Innovative Universities Bill 2012 in order to stimulate innovation in universities, encourage path-breaking research and make India a global knowledge hub. The Bill proposes the formation of 14 world-class national innovation universities across the country. However, it remains to be seen how this Bill will get implemented. Karnataka State’s Innovative Universities Bill 2011 has identified Mysore and Karnataka University to pilot the new system which provides greater autonomy.
In order to encourage innovation among engineering students, the Karnataka Knowledge Commission (KKC) plans to identify some of the most innovative academic projects undertaken, mentor the students and potentially provide incubation for the students to convert innovative ideas to products.
NGOs, formed by few passionate individuals and government’s innovation councils have piloted diverse innovation initiatives catering to students at different levels. However, for succeeding in the attempt to improve India’s overall innovation capability, the National Innovation Council should drive the initiatives at a pan-India level. Clear accountability and a performance-driven system must be developed. The biggest challenge in the current system is that the existence of innovation councils is tied to the government in power and this can decelerate the momentum. Can the councils be insulated from government changes?
India has attractive demographics in a young and vibrant population. However, the innovation potential needs to be harnessed efficiently for India to become a knowledge superpower.
G Krishna Kumar is vice president of Symphony Teleca, Bangalore.
E-mail: krishna.kumar@symphonyteleca.com
