Eminent Missile Scientist of India, Padmashree Dr Prahlada Ramarao called upon the budding engineers of the State to consider launching Start-Ups as the country is fast moving towards ‘do it inside the country’ goal.
“We have made significant progress in terms of ‘capabilities’ but lagging behind other countries on ‘capacity’ to produce innovative products. Indian youth have the huge scope to work on harnessing ‘capacity’ through Start-Ups and become unicorns. There are several Government schemes to help for this”, Dr Ramarao said while speaking at an interactive programme at Muktadhara on Wednesday evening. The programme was jointly organized by Tripura Times and the School of Science.
Enthusiastic students eagerly listened to his address as well as actively participated in the interaction. Finding one of the top ‘missile men’ of the country within their reach, students asked questions covering a wide range – from Newton’s 3rd Law to impact of Indian Missile policy on country’s foreign policy—and even UFO and aliens.
Dr Ramarao is the former director of Defence Research Development Laboratory ( of DRDO) and VC of Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) and was the chief designer of several missiles like BramHos, Agni, Pritvi, Ashtra, Nag etc. He started working with Late APJ Abdul Kalam from 1980-81 and was involved in several missile programmes.
Talking about the paradigm shift that is happening in the country over the years, Dr Ramarao said that nobody could imagine that private industries would be involved in the production of defence or space relating products around 3-4 decades ago – but at the present situation has drastically changed, several big private industries, even Start-Ups are producing such products and creating huge opportunities for Indian Youth, he asserted.
“India can develop great things with Indian youth”, he exuded confidence but also pointed out that Indian youths and engineers in particular lack Industry exposure. “Employers’ requirements and students’ requirements are not matching due to lack of exposure. However, the issue will be solved and New Education Policy will help bridge the gap’, Dr Ramarao said.
Replying to a query of a student, he said science and technology will rule the world. Expertise in multi-discipline is what is required in the present day. A student after graduating in mechanical engineering needs to acquire knowledge in multi-domain to make us suitable for the industry, he commented.
As far as defence and country’s security is concerned, the missile man said, “we are independent and capable. We can make any type of missile, radar rockets etc. Industries are joining us. We are safe and secured”.
He concluded the interactive session by terming the present era as the golden period for youth.
After the interactive session, Dr Ramarao called on Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma who is also Science and Technology Minister and discussed with him some areas where Tripura can effectively utilize Artificial Intelligence for various purposes and beat the geographical limitations using drones or balloons.
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