Dr. P Anandan is the Managing Director of Microsoft Research India. He was awarded the title of Distinguished Scientist in 2010 in recognition of his contributions to Microsoft and the research community, Microsoft Research India, which began operating in January 2005.

Microsoft Research India conducts basic research in computing and engineering sciences relevant to Microsoft Corp's business and the global IT community with a special focus on technology for emerging markets and undeserved communities.

During his research career spanning over two decades, Dr Anandan has done pioneering research in video motion analysis and is recognised for his fundamental contributions in the field of optical flow, motion estimation and 3D analysis.

In an interview with eWorld on the sidelines of TechVista (Kolkata 2012) - the annual research symposium of Microsoft Research - he talks about the need to focus on R&D by Indian IT companies, the opportunities for researchers, brain drain and the impact of economic downturn on research.

Excerpts from the interview:

eW: What is the current headcount in the research lab. Are you looking towards increasing it?

PA: The lab has nearly 55 full-time people. In addition, there are 10 research assistants and some contractual staff. So the standing population is around 70. But in the summer it goes up to 130-140. We get nearly 100 interns throughout the year. However, there is no specific plan to increase headcount here.

eW: Does the research lab help the R&D Centre develop products or is it the other way round?

PA: It's symbiotic. First of all, we pursue independent agenda. The R&D Centre works on products. Products are decided depending on business needs. The research lab does basic research on problems we are interested in solving. And whenever we see an opportunity to use some of our research to have an impact on the product, we do that. Likewise, when the product group sees that there is value in something we are doing, they approach us.

eW: Do you think that there is a need to focus more on R&D, especially by the Indian IT companies? The common grouse is that the Indian IT industry is not doing enough on the basic research and R&D fronts.

PA: If you look at the IT industry in India, the primary focus is on the service sector. On the other hand, a company like Microsoft develops products in computer science and IT and does research that allows us to think about new products. An idea like the Xbox Kinect would not have occurred had we not invested in basic research. Then there is the R&D which takes basic research and develops products. These are new products that do not solve a specific customer's problem but a general problem that will help create new customers.

But if you look at the IT industry, I do not think it is doing that kind of research. It's natural because the primary reason why this industry was successful is because of the talent available to solve a large number of problems globally. Over a period of time it's important to see basic research and R&D increase so that these companies can begin to seize the momentum and define what kind of technology and products are made in the future. That's how you gain leadership.

eW: In India, is there a need for innovation to grab local opportunities as well play a part in the global scenario?

PA: I think innovation anywhere is not specific to a community or market. Naturally, when you have your community or market defined you can focus a bit more on what you do. Indian companies, other than focussing on India alone should look at serving many purposes. There is no reason for them to stop only at local opportunities. They should innovate first and innovate for the world.

eW: Since you are talking about talent, do you feel that brain drain is a problem in India especially in the field of research and development?

PA: It's a different sort of brain drain now. Twenty-five years ago when I left the country, the research brain was drained to other countries. Now it is drained with doing IT jobs and sometimes in the financial industry.

One of the alarming facts is about the IITs. Thirty years ago, two-thirds of IIT grads went on to do Masters and PhDs. Now that number is almost one-third. Basically, many people decide that they can get good jobs after just a B.Tech For the long-term future of the country, industry and economy it is actually important that a number of young people get into research.

eW: Has it got to do with the fact that India does not make heroes of its researchers?

PA: I don't think that is the reason. People make decisions on the basis of careers, jobs and opportunities and what is in front of them. Initially, for instance, people did not see many researchers finding employment outside of a university. It's not that research is not glamorous but I think we have to create more opportunities.

eW: You talk about opportunities. But where will they come from? Will it be through government funding or through private institutions?

PA: I think both. There are basically two places – academia and industry – where the real challenges are. We do see an increase in the number of educational institutions and investments on that. But the start-up process is difficult. We need good faculties for which we will need good PhDs. But hopefully we will break out of the jam.

The second is industry as it moves to R&D and creates opportunities. Not everyone needs to do basic research. Applied research is also exciting and can be more appropriate for some industries. As more of those opportunities come, you will see more people join this field . It usually has a snowball effect. I think India is at the cusp, where things can take off. It just needs a little push.

eW: Do you see a slowdown in research and development following the economic downturn?

PA: It's a cyclical process in the world. But that does not stop the technological process. It does affect research and development in the short run for companies have to be careful to manage its budget but not in the long run. As a researchers, we do not focus on short term problems.

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