A.S. Kiran Kumar, chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has stressed the need to be flexible to adopt scientific and technological innovation to remain competitive in the fast-changing world of technological advancement.
Addressing a gathering of academicians, educationists, entrepreneurs, administrative and business leaders and students at the 15th annual convocation of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) here on Friday, he quoted the former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, “Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us, in this world fear has no place, only strength respects strength.”
Portraying how innovation in science and technology was playing a catalytic role in steering the country’s economic growth and social development, Mr. Kumar said that globalisation had unleashed en era of competition among countries to grab the emerging opportunities and advantages. It meant that countries need to produce cost-effective products and services with the help of scientific and technological breakthrough. Mr. Kumar said that the Indian space programme was essentially demand-driven and was oriented towards the development of the nation. The ISRO had designed and developed indigenous systems and applications for the benefit of society.
India's rating in end-to-end capability
“Today, India has been rated as one of the top six countries having the end-to-end capability in space technology. More than that, India has shown to the world how the advances in space technology and applications can be tailored to take care of the common problems facing the country. The ISRO is carrying out operational disaster management support programme addressing natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, landslides, earthquakes, agricultural drought, forest fires, etc. with the help of space-based images.”
He said that a constellation of 13 Indian Remote Sensing satellites were in the orbit, covering the whole globe and providing data to cater to applications in agriculture, water resources, bio-resources, urban planning, environment monitoring, study of earth sciences and ocean and atmosphere, navigation, etc.
Mr. Kumar advised students to work hard and relentlessly strive for knowledge and acumen to excel in their chosen spheres of life.
Governor and Chancellor of VTU Vajubhai Vala conferred degrees on students and presented gold medals to rank holders.
Acting Vice-Chancellor V. Sridhar and Registrar (Evaluation) H.G. Shekharappa were present.
