Introduction

I am indeed delighted to give the First PN Haksar Memorial lecture. Despite his great stature in the national scene, I was fortunate to come in contact with him when he was a member of the space commission and visited the satellite launch vehicle integration lab at Thumba, where multiple systems were getting integrated and prepared for launch acceptance. At that time he was the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister. With smoke coming out of his pipe, and with a smiling face, he asked an important question: In satellite launch vehicle programme where does India stand ? I looked at Prof. Satish Dhawan, the then Chairman, ISRO and then quickly responded to him saying that when the Rohini Satellite in injected SLV-III in earth orbit, we will be the 5th country ! Oh' my Nation when you will be the first" ?. His words - "when my nation will be the first" reverberates in my mind even after nearly 20 years. When we launched AGNI missile system in 1989 again we were the 4th country to have perfected re-entry technology. When we conducted the nuclear tests and declared India a nuclear weapon state, India was the 6th country. How do we come out from this 4th, 5th, 6th, country syndrome, to the dream of Shri PN Haksar of India becoming the first country in certain technology areas.

The concepts and doctrines for the welfare of the nation can be generated by a few thinkers and scholars. What is needed is who can translate this concept and ideas into action to produce results. Shri Haksar in the book "A Basket of Fallen Leaves" has brought out this concept beautifully. He says " As Mahatma Gandhi astutely observed , no cause can triumph unless there are faithful agents to carry it through. The assembling together of such faithful agents articulating the urges for social, economic and political transformation is the major issue before our country". This statement of Shri Haksar is true for technology, political field, industry and societal upliftment. So it is a honour to remember this great son of India and give this memorial lecture. The triggering thoughts of Shri Haksar on the need for faithful agents led me to think `When my country will become a "Developed Nation". ? Hence the Topic for today's talk is "DEVELOPED NATION: THE VISION".

Technological Thrust

During the days of cold war, a predictable state of bi-polar world order was getting established with the UN forum providing the necessary platform for maintaining a sense of balance between the nations of the world. The discriminatory or restrictive laws of the western block of developed nations seemed justified on the basis of denial of technology to the specific nation. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, this east-west axis has taken a north-south orientation and the export controls and technology denial regimes now are directed mainly to the developing nations including India, to maintain the technoeconomic superiority of the advanced countries, with political tone.

Today, we encounter twin problems. On one side, there is a large-scale strengthening of our neighbours through supply of arms and clandestine support to their nuclear and missile programmes, and on the other side all efforts are being made to weaken our indigenous technology growth through control regimes and dumping of low-tech systems, accompanied with high commercial pitch in critical areas. I always wonder at the logic of technology control regimes and how the world can silently witness and accept such a logic. Some countries can develop, stockpile and even proliferate, but we should not develop anything even for our defence. They can have weapons and carriers because they already have weapons and the others should not think of them, even when their security and sovereignity is threatened.

Growth of indigenous technology and self-reliance are the only answer to the problem. Technology not only leads to advanced systems and products, but also is the main engine for economic build-up and national development. A club of G-8 has emanated among themselves. The western industrially developed countries, therefore, set themselves on a path of accelerated techno-economic development. Therefore, in the present global scenario only strength respects strength. There is no doubt, indigenous technology development is the only key for India to attain fast economic strength. The need of the hour is technological excellence and self-reliance.

We have been able to overcome the technology controls and design and develop our own system. We have been able to develop core competence in many strategic areas like the space, missiles, nuclear technology, supercomputers and many such areas. We have been able to demonstrate our capability in several high technology systems. Nuclear tests, AGNI missiles, what India can learn from this, beyond technological accomplishments. These developments show our "will" to be strong and self-sufficient to be independent from the fear of external threat and aggression to be able to have the freedom of deciding our own destiny and foreign policy without being dictated.

The urgent issue that we need to address collectively as a nation is how do we handle the tactics of economic and military dominance in this new form. Today technology is the main driver of economic development at the international. Therefore, we have to develop indigenous technologies to enhance our competitive edge and to generate national wealth in all segments of economy. Therefore, the need of the hour is arm India with technology.

Let us now explore how to arm India with technology not only for the purposes of defence and internal security, but also for food security, economic and social security of the nation and people. The vision for the nation is to transform India into a developed country within two decades.

Vision for the Nation

First Vision : India's freedom

India laid the seeding of independence in 1857. Freedom movement was the first vision for the nation. It took 90 years to get the freedom using multiple methodologies to vacate foreign powers. The vision generated leaders across the political spectrum, many scientific leaders, industrial leaders, literary giants, great economists and several accomplished persons. In science and technology area a remarkable event took place during 1920-25 in India. Internationally well known scientists were enriching the nation. They were Professors JC Bose, CV Raman, Meghnad Saha, Srinivasa Ramanujam and Subramanyam Chandrasekhar. In the book "CHANDRA", Prof. Subramanyam Chandrasekhar. describes "I mean it is a remarkable thing that in the modern era before 1910, there were no (Indian) scientists of international reputation or standing. Between 1920 and 1925, we had suddenly five or six internationally well known men. I myself have associated this remarkable phenomenon with the need for self-expression, which become a dominant motive among the young during the national movement. It was a part of the national movement to assert oneself. India was a subject country, but in the sciences, in the arts, particularly in science, we could show the west in their own realm that we were equal to them."

Independent India was born in 1947 with a label attached that it is a "developing country" pointing the fact that it is not economically strong; there is a high dependence still for defence systems. India has no world standing among the nations, inspite of its size and potential. Therefore, the question arises as to how we physically and spiritually remove this label of 'developing country' and become a 'developed India' in two decades of time. Independence was the first vision realized by the nation and its people. On that foundation we need to build the second vision of becoming a developed India with national, economic, food and social security.

Developed India - How to realise?

With this vision of Developed India let us look at what we should do to reach that status. It is a second major movement for the country after the great independence movement.

In a movement everybody has a role. Form the TIFAC document Technology Vision 2020, five thrust areas around which we can take several econo-technological actions involved in such a movement:

1. Agriculture and food processing;
2. Reliable and quality electric power for all parts of the country;
3. Education and healthcare;
4. Information Technology; and
5. Strategic sectors.

These five areas are closely inter-related and lead to national security, food security and economic security.

Integrated action

I wish to suggest how each and every Indian, in different walks of life, can contribute towards realizing the vision for the nation. I had discussions with economists, agricultural experts, technologists from different fields, from industry, government, administrators at various levels, non - governmental professionals and activists, media persons, and political leaders at different fora. After discussions, I feel concerted efforts in the five areas mentioned earlier can lead to a major movement towards transformation of the nation.

Agriculture and food processing

India should have a mission to achieve a production of a minimum of 360 million tons of foodgrains in two decades. This will allow for good domestic consumption and still leave a sufficient margin for food exports and aid to other countries. This mission will demand a great revolution in research, technology development, agricultural extension services, and above all a major network of marketing, storage and distribution.

Electric power

This is the most important part of the infrastructure. Besides assuring people of domestic comfort, it is imperative for increasing food production, and to support a whole host of manufacturing operations, in the engineering, chemical and material processing industries, as well as in the smooth operation of the entire transport, communications and information sector, all of which are vital to economic growth and employment. The growth of a nation's GDP is vitally linked to the availability of electric power. India's installed power capacity today is about 85000 MW. Only about 32000 MW reaches the consumer. There is shortage of about 15 per cent in the peak power requirement. The requirement of electric power will only multiply because of the growth in the demand from various sectors. Immediate action is needed to greatly step-up the generation of electricity from coal, gas, hydro, nuclear and non-conventional energy sources. Research on non-conventional and nuclear sources of energy has to be enhanced, for the reason the fossile fuels may exhaust in a few decades as predicted by experts.

Apart from generation of power, another major mission is to ensure its efficient transmission. The consumer is interested in the actual quality of power that is available, and not in the statistics of the installed capacity of generation. Here the technologies and systems management for countrywide distribution is of crucial importance.

Consumers too have to be careful. Precious power should not be wasted by inefficient equipment, fans, lights or other industrial and domestic appliances or agricultural equipment. Therefore, technologies for energy-efficient and use appliances are of crucial importance to India.

Education and health

Kuppu and Karuppan in our book "India 2020: Vision for the New Millennium" as mentioned earlier in my talk, represent about 6o% of India's population. These two have the urge and the willingness to work hard. But because of the lack of education they are unable to utilize the available opportunities for better employment or to improve their standard of living. People like Kuppu and Karuppan have to break out of their educational handicap. The lack of educational opportunities and their poor quality of life perpetuates their poverty. Educated parents will never like to have uneducated children, as their future generation. Is it not true? Non-availability of preventive health care further weakens their bodies and, therefore, their capabilities. Can we break this vicious circle ?

Prof Indiresan, who led the TIFAC (Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council) panel to identify the driving forces and impedances, has tried to point the way out. Indians should be provided access to first-rate education and skill development opportunities. This cannot be done by the prevalent methods of village schools or other schools and institutes in towns and cities. We need to create clusters of villages with excellent internal connectivity through roads and communications which are also linked to near by urban centres. These rural clusters would have quality centres of education, and health support facilities. People can easily commute between the villages and acquire the best skills and education. Their access to well-equipped health care centres will be the necessity. These centres would have the knowledge base to advise them on preventive health care methods. The teachers or medical personnel in these quality centers would also have access to other experts in India and even abroad through communication connectivity. Let us not forget India's excellent achievements in satellite communications. Besides technological expertise, what is required is good political and managerial leadership all over the country to implement this mission. Let not the children and grandchildren or Kuppus and Karuppans be handicapped. We can achieve an India without such handicaps by 2020.

Information Technology

In the "Technology Vision" document, software engineering and associated IT products and services are important core competencies. Fortunately, already a decision has been taken at the national level to make India an information technology power in about a decade. When this task force of IT is deliberating its final report, two important items are essential to be considered by them for special action. All of us feel that India has the intellectual power for higher levels of software. High level software provides a challenge to our best minds and at the same time it is a wealth generator. This should be focused upon as a mission area in IT. If the necessary enabling conditions are provided, this single area can transform out IT, electronics and manufacturing sector into a major economic entity. Another item relates to actions for the spread of IT applications countrywide for purposes ranging from boosting business to spreading knowledge about fundamental rights and responsibilities, impart skills, to provide preventive health care information and for several such items pertaining to acquiring a better standard of living. It can be a vary useful tool for transmission of education to even the remotest parts of our country. India's system of education and skill-generation can be transformed in a decade if we can creatively and purposefully deploy IT technologies.

Strategic Sectors

To reach the status of a developed India, in addition to the four mega-missions mentioned before, there is an equally important mission for national security. In today's environment, national security is derived from the technological strength of the nation; that alone will give us the real strength. It is India's experience, be it in agriculture or in the areas of the nuclear space and defence research, that when visionaries set a mission, results are achieved. This strength is to be further expanded with the creation of a few major industries in aerospace, advanced electronics, advanced sensors and advanced materials. These industries should operate in a market-driven environment winning global markets. For example, India should be in the business of building small passenger jets even with an international consortium. Likewise, we should be in the business of selling satellites and providing commercial launch services. Marketing of aerospace systems, providing aircraft sub-systems, maintenance services to global customers, as well as business in products with advanced sensors and advanced materials, should become a part of our normal business. We should also begin aggressive marketing of various defence systems such as main battle tank, guns, LCA type aircraft, certain types of missiles and nuclear power stations. The thrust towards self-reliance should be coupled with global marketing, as the developed world force upon us. Such an approach should become the focus in the strategic sector. In this direction, the Ministry of Defence has a self-reliance mission of realising 70 per cent indigenous defence systems by 2005, from the present 30 per cent. To achieve this target, the defence R&D and production infrastructure are already geared up and the partnership of Indian corporate sector has been sought to accomplish this major task. Similarly, other departments having technologies to establish major industries which serve the multiple needs of domestic and global markets. Every department of Government of India must be mandated to dual use technologies, which is a pre-requisites of protect these hard-earned wealth.

Implementation

My suggestions for these major five missions, do not envisage the present methods of departmental implementation or expanding the governmental structures, In order that India marches towards the cherished goal of a developed nation, there is an urgent need to change the present methods of working and the mindset that has developed because of centralized managerial system. Many existing government structures would need to be drastically reduced. There should be reduction of monopolies and a greater competition in the implementation of many packages of these mega-missions. Therfore, private sector participation would be required along with more liberal and simplified procedures. healthy competition leads to greater efficiency and innovation. Empowerment of implementing teams would lead to speed in action and enhance capability to take risks. Wherever there is a government presence, its mode of operation should be made a facilitating one and the public accountability systems should be changed accordingly.

I believe, that the five mega-missions when integrated and implemented with a national focus, will result in actions which will shape the second vision of the nation. The necessary financial, managerial and human resources would flow from those whose minds are ignited, including those in the government and industrial sectors.

The vision for a developed India is driven fully be economic development coupled with security needs of the nation. It is also important that the intellectuals of the nation is equally reinforce. What it means is India due to its ancient civilization, inspite of over-powering from various invading nations, the intellectual wisdom needs to be sprung back matched with Indian value system. The intellectuals' mighty minds built-in self-confidence with compassing for the service to poorer section and the most important demand for a developed nation-happy society.

Self-Reliance in Technology and National Strength

I would like to share with you certain experiences, I had the occasion to participate and understand. This happened in a year's period. On 11th May 98 the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. R Chidambaram and myself and some of our team members were working for the results of the underground nuclear test followed by another two. We were very close to the test site and countdown was progressing. At T-5 seconds and hundreds of parameters for instrumentation were displayed. The mission was to takeplace in a few seconds. At T-O the event. We witnessed the whole earth shrugged, thundered in front of us and all around. We saw part of the earth raising. What a powerful energy India generated through nuclear weapons? This successful mission was the great partnership of DAE and DRDO. Self-reliant technology made the nation to become a nuclear weapon state.

The second event is to do with a missile system. On 11th April this year the AGNI-II took off with computer command from the beautiful island range. 600 parameters were monitored in real time through a series of radars and telemetry stations and ship borne instrumentations interlinked through our own communication satellites. The AGNI with its payload reached with close accuracy on the target 2000 kms away. The partnership of DRDO labs, academic institutions and industries brought this important success and it is triumph for self-reliance, inspite of the technology denial.

Another event is about India's rocket technology . It reached its prime when the ISRO launched successfully the operation Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on 26 May,1999. The PSLV, that has the third largest booster in the world, and above all the ISRO reached a stage of integrating its own satellite IRS, a German and a South Korean satellite. India can compete in the launch vehicle programme for launching other countries, satellites also. This the result of a great visionary Prof Vikram Sarabhai on self-reliance.

Another area of India's core competence is the information technology. Within 5 years time our software product potential has increased from a few hundred million dollars to four billion dollar, more than half of which are exported. Some of our software companies have been recognized as equal professionals in various software export houses in the world. All these events, I am narrating to the young community because, if India decides and work for it we can do it.

When TIFAC brought out the Vision Document evolved by 500 experts and submitted in 1996, one major question often asked was the tasks are bigger and people are not to the same dimension. The nation is still not prepared how such a vision of developed India can be accomplished. In my lecture I was presenting our national core-competence and also wherever we decided we can, India will do it and India has done it. For the realisation of the Vision two important factors have to enter into our psyche and minds. They are: the self-reliance in thinking and actions and a national decision that India should become a developed nation.

Concluding Remarks

Few dream and many transform it into thoughts and thoughts have be transformed into actions. I would like to tell particularly to the young audience of this gathering, the vision is bigger than us. The developed India needs a revolution in the minds of the young. Enter into it. Ignited minds are indeed the powerful resource to transform this nation from the developing nation of 50 years into a developed nation in less than two decades times. Technology is the prime mover for the vision for the nation.